Texans’ Wembley Win Shifts AFC South Race

The Houston Texans beat the Jacksonville Jaguars with a walk-off field goal at Wembley Stadium in London. According to The Athletic’s playoff predictor, Jacksonville’s projected chance of winning the AFC South fell from 87 percent to 69 percent. Houston’s division-title chances climbed to 14 percent; a loss would’ve left them at 2 percent.

AFC South Turns on Wembley Finish

Jacksonville could’ve moved to 5-1 with a win. Instead, Houston’s field goal immediately changed the division race, and the Jaguars’ projected odds fell by 18 percentage points.

About 20 minutes before kickoff, Week 6 live coverage reported drizzle over Wembley and empty seats. Former Jaguars player Fred Taylor tried to rally support inside the stadium, saying, “it's all about business.” The coverage also listed Texans, Jaguars, Rams, Seahawks, Packers, Vikings, Chiefs, Dolphins, Buccaneers, Colts and Bears jerseys spotted on London transit.

Ravens Without Jackson Again

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was ruled out of the AFC North game against the Cleveland Browns with an ankle injury. He was set to miss his second straight game. Jackson injured the ankle late in the first half of Baltimore’s Oct. 4 win over the Tennessee Titans, and team sources called his status “day to day.”

Baltimore coach Jesse Minter said the team didn’t expect Jackson to miss much time. Tyler Huntley was set to start again after leading the Ravens to a 30-23 overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons the previous Sunday. Huntley held a 6-6 record in regular-season starts. The Steelers’ division record stood at 1-1, and the Browns game marked Baltimore’s first division game of the season.

Bills-Raiders Matchup

The Buffalo Bills, 4-1, traveled to play the Las Vegas Raiders, 3-2, after Buffalo beat the Los Angeles Rams 37-34 in overtime Monday night. Josh Allen ran for 121 yards against the Rams, while James Cook added 111; together, they scored three rushing touchdowns. A win in Las Vegas could lift Buffalo’s conference record to 3-1 during the team’s two-game, weeklong stay on the West Coast.

Buffalo’s defense faced a critical point before its bye week. Defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard demanded urgency and consistent signs that the team’s potential remained within reach.

The Raiders wanted to snap a two-game losing streak after the New England Patriots beat them 45-17 the previous week, piling up 536 yards as quarterback Drake Maye accounted for five touchdowns. New York Post writer Vincent Bonsignore said Allen could punish defensive mistakes by running, escaping pressure or throwing over defenders. He said the Raiders’ pass rush, led by Maxx Crosby, needed to pressure Allen without leaving escape routes open, while interior defenders had to hold their rush lanes and the secondary had to stick with receivers when Allen extended plays. Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Leonard also needed to account for Cook.

Bonsignore said the Raiders needed a running game, help from receivers beyond Brock Bowers and scoring drives from quarterback Kirk Cousins. Coach Klint Kubiak needed to deliver those elements, he said, and field goals might not keep pace if Buffalo scored touchdowns. The coverage called Bills coach Joe Brady against Rob Leonard a marquee matchup, pointing to Brady’s formations and misdirection. It described Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn spying on Allen on selected passing downs as a possible approach, not a confirmed assignment. The prediction: Bills 34, Raiders 20.

The live coverage said 12 games were on the schedule that Sunday. Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was questionable against the Atlanta Falcons after full practices Thursday and Friday, with a return expected barring a setback. Williams said he’d need to pass a “stress test” of his readiness. The Kansas City Chiefs aimed to stay undefeated against the winless Los Angeles Chargers.

Philadelphia planned to start Tanner McKee after doctors found a small, superficial blood clot in quarterback Jalen Hurts’ calf and put him on injured reserve. Hurts was set to miss at least four games; Nov. 22 against the Pittsburgh Steelers was the earliest he could return. Coach Nick Sirianni said, “Jalen's health is of the utmost importance to all of us in the building.” The Eagles had lost three straight and were missing key offensive players.