Pumped after win

Retro seems to be vogue these days. Maybe that's why the Jaguars took their fans back to a time when they dominated on defense Sunday in shutting down Houston's high-powered offense to win 23-18, while maintaining its hold on the second AFC wild-card spot. The Jaguars knocked quarterback Matt Schaub out of the game for more than a quarter on Houston's first play from scrimmage, sacked him twice and picked off balls from three Texans passers (Schaub, Rex Grossman and Chris Brown). In addition, the Jags took advantage of meaningful contributions from a slew of virtual no-names in capturing their fifth consecutive home win of the season. "We're using everybody in the room," Jags coach Jack Del Rio said. "Some of the guys we've been working with behind the scenes might not have ever had a career start, but they're still going to contribute. We're going to use whoever we can wherever we can to try and squeeze it out." The tactic worked against the division rival Texans, especially on defense. The Jaguars used little-known rookie William Middleton at the nickel corner spot, and got big plays from three more defensive backs (Gerald Alexander, Anthony Smith and Tyron Brackenridge) who aren't regular starters. Offensively, the Jags took advantage of contributions from rookie tight end Zach Miller (3 catches, 74 yards) and first-year wide receiver Nate Hughes, who'd spent seven weeks on the practice squad, after being demoted for dropping two potential touchdowns in a home-opening loss to Arizona on Sept. 20. "I've always said it doesn't matter who's out there," quarterback David Garrard said. "If you're open, I will throw you the ball." Hughes scored the first touchdown of the game by hauling in a 35-yard bomb for his only reception, giving the Jags a 10-0 lead in the second quarter. Alexander, Smith and Brackenridge, meanwhile, made plays in clutch situations to lead a resurgent defense. With the Jags leading 23-12 in the fourth quarter and Houston threatening on the Jacksonville 5, Alexander picked off a Brown option pass intended for Joel Dreesen to thwart a potential score. Brackenridge provided the pressure on the play by laying a vicious hit on Brown as the running back delivered the pass. "It gives you confidence to know the coaches and your teammates have confidence in you to go out there and go to battle with them," Brackenridge said. "They know that I'm gonna go out and ride or die for my players." The Jags turned only one of their three interceptions into points (a 24-yard field goal from Josh Scobee in the third quarter that made the score 23-9). That interception by Justin Durant was made possible after Alexander put a vicious hit on David Anderson to keep the ball alive. Smith had the first interception, thrown by Schaub's replacement, former Florida quarterback Rex Grossman, in the first quarter. Brackenridge tipped the pass intended for Andre Johnson into Smith's hands. "It's a beautiful thing whenever you can play a total team game, man," said tight end Marcedes Lewis. Houston entered with the league's third-ranked passing offense, averaging 283.1 yards per game. With Brackenridge starting in place of injured Rashean Mathis at corner, the Jaguars held the Texans to 240 yards passing between Schaub (207) and Grossman (33). In addition, Jacksonville limited Houston to 5 of 15 on third-down conversions as Derrick Harvey made his first sack of the season, and Durant contributed another. Offensively, the Jags sputtered at times. But a 51-yard Scobee field goal in the first quarter, followed by Hughes' touchdown and a 4-yard scoring strike from Garrard to tight end Ernest Wilford gave Jacksonville a 17-0 lead with 7:06 left in the first half. Brown scored for the Texans on the ensuing drive to make it 17-7. The Jags answered with a 46-yard Scobee field goal that capped a nine-play, 72-yard drive. "In the three phases of the game, it's not always going to go well in at least one of them," said rookie left tackle Eugene Monroe. "Today, we had some struggles in the red zone, but the defense was able to keep us in the game. As a team, we've got to be able to have each other's back. When we struggled like that, it was something to see the defense be able to keep the points down so we could stay in the game." After being knocked out with a shoulder injury, Schaub re-entered with 6:59 remaining in the first half, and the Texans outscored the Jags 18-6. Still, Jacksonville's front seven pressured and harassed Schaub enough to disrupt his rhythm. Brackenridge said he sees the defense making gradual improvement every week. He said that doubters have given the unit motivation to return to being the dominant unit the club's fans have become accustomed to watching. "People turned their backs on us. They wanted to say bad things. They just didn't have any faith or trust in us," Brackenridge said. "At the end of the day, though, we have each other's backs. We know when we come together it's hard to stop us." michael.wright@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4657 AFC WILD-CARD RACE (2 teams qualify) DENVER BRONCOS (8-4) Games remaining: at Indianapolis, Oakland, at Philadelphia, Kansas City JACKSONVILLE Jaguars (7-5) Games remaining: Miami, Indianapolis, at New England, at Cleveland BALTIMORE RAVENS (6-5) Games remaining: at Green Bay, Detroit, Chicago, at Pittsburgh, at Oakland MIAMI DOLPHINS (6-6) Games remaining: at Jaguars , at Tennessee, Houston, Pittsburgh NEW YORK JETS (6-6) Games remaining: at Tampa Bay, Atlanta, at Indianapolis, Cincinnati PITTSBURGH STEELERS (6-6) Games remaining: at Cleveland, Green Bay, Baltimore, at Miami INTERACT Watch video of Jack Del Rio's news conference, and the postgame wrap from the Times-Union's Gene Frenette and Vito Stellino. ultimatejaguars.com