Week 6
Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars
October 18, 2026
Wembley Stadium
AFC South Rivalry
Texans–Jaguars
A clash of the NFL's newest franchises
The Texans-Jaguars rivalry pits two of the NFL's youngest teams against each other twice a year in the AFC South. Born of division realignment, it has swung from an even start to long stretches of Houston control.
The Rivalry
Jacksonville entered the NFL in 1995 and Houston in 2002, making them among the league's most recent expansion clubs. When the AFC South formed in 2002, both were placed in it, locking them into two meetings a season. The first decade was tightly balanced, with each side claiming an equal share of wins and several games decided late. The 2010s tilted decisively toward Houston, which swept the season series in most years of the decade behind defensive standout J.J. Watt and a string of division titles. Jacksonville's best run against Houston came in 2017, when the Jaguars swept the series on the way to an AFC Championship Game appearance. The rivalry runs hot as a battle between two franchises still chasing sustained success.
What's at Stake
Houston and Jacksonville are permanent AFC South rivals, so each season's two meetings feed directly into the division race and conference playoff picture. For two of the league's newest franchises, the series is also about establishing an identity and an edge over a fellow upstart. The matchup links a major Texas metro with a Florida coastal city.
Famous Moments
- 2010 — Jacksonville won 31-24 on a last-second Hail Mary from David Garrard to Mike Thomas.
- 2012 — Houston won 43-37 in overtime as Matt Schaub threw for 527 yards and Andre Johnson had 273 receiving yards.
- 2017 — Jacksonville swept the season series, winning 45-7 and 29-7, during its run to the AFC Championship Game.
- 2025 — Houston rallied from a 29-10 deficit to win 36-29, sealed by a defensive touchdown.
The Texans–Jaguars Games in 2026
The Two Teams
AFC South
Houston Texans
NRG Stadium · Houston
The NFL’s newest franchise, founded in 2002, the Texans have won multiple AFC South titles.
AFC South
Jacksonville Jaguars
EverBank Stadium · Jacksonville
An expansion franchise since 1995, the Jaguars reached the AFC Championship Game in just their second season.
Plan the Trip
This AFC South road trip connects two contrasting Sun Belt cities. Houston plays at NRG Stadium, a climate-controlled retractable-roof building, while Jacksonville hosts at EverBank Stadium near the St. Johns River downtown. A Texans-Jaguars game offers a young, energetic division rivalry, warm-weather tailgating in Florida or indoor comfort in Texas, and an affordable weekend escape.
Frequently Asked Questions: Texans–Jaguars
The two teams first met in 2002. The Texans-Jaguars rivalry pits two of the NFL's youngest teams against each other twice a year in the AFC South. Born of division realignment, it has swung from an even start to long stretches of Houston control.
Houston and Jacksonville are permanent AFC South rivals, so each season's two meetings feed directly into the division race and conference playoff picture. For two of the league's newest franchises, the series is also about establishing an identity and an edge over a fellow upstart. The matchup links a major Texas metro with a Florida coastal city.
Yes — they meet 2 times in the 2026 NFL season. The game pages, each with a fan-travel guide, are linked on this page.
Houston Texans host at NRG Stadium in Houston; Jacksonville Jaguars play at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville.
