Hoyer, Hopkins help Texans handle Jaguars, 31-20

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) Brian Hoyer threw three touchdown passes on third down, two to DeAndre Hopkins, and the Houston Texans beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 31-20 on Sunday.

Hoyer regained the starting job last week against Indianapolis and looked deserving of the spot. At least against the Jaguars (1-5), who lost their fourth in a row and surely raised more questions about coach Gus Bradley's job security.

The Texans (2-4) started emptying the stadium midway through the fourth after Andre Hal returned an interception 41 yards for a touchdown and a 31-14 lead. It was the sixth pick-six thrown by Blake Bortles in 19 career starts.

Hoyer and Hopkins pretty much had the game in hand well before that.

Hoyer was at his best on the game's most important down, connecting with Arian Foster on third-and-goal from the 7 and then hooking up with Hopkins for two more third-down TDs.

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