Jags look to repeat first-game win against Texans

Jacksonville held Houston receiver to just 2 receptions

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars would love a repeat performance against Houston receiver Andre Johnson.

The Jaguars held the fivetime Pro Bowler to two receptions for 36 yards in their first meeting 11 days ago, Johnson’s worst day in more than a year.

But the Jaguars (3-9) realize there’s little chance it happens again when the Texans (2-10) come to town for the rematch Thursday night. After all, this is the same inexperienced secondary that got torched by Arizona’s Michael Floyd for 193 yards last month, and by Cleveland’s Josh Gordon for 261 yards last week.

“You definitely don’t want to see those kind of performances on your secondary,” Jaguars cornerback Alan Ball said. “We have to put it behind us, learn from it and go from there.”

Sounds simple, but Johnson has a history of success against Jacksonville.

He has 106 receptions for 1,470 yards and seven touchdowns in 18 career games against the Jaguars. And the best game of his 11-year career was a 14-catch, 273-yard performance against Jacksonville last year.

Johnson offered no reasons for his lack of production less than two weeks ago. Houston struggled all day, finishing with a season-low 218 yards.

“In the NFL, you get humbled very quick,” defensive coordinator Bob Babich said. “I think the guys, they’re just looking at it as a challenge of playing against a great player. I’m sure they’ve seen him for many, many years making great plays, and for them, I’m sure they’re saying, ‘Hey, I’m playing against Andre Johnson. This is neat.’”