Sunday’s Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars matchup officially ended on a kneel, but the game ended on a failed two-point attempt.
Down by one with 30 seconds left after scoring a touchdown, Jacksonville gambled and went for two.
The play: a Leonard Fournette run up the gut. Pushing the pile, Fournette was inches away to the end zone, until safety Justin Reid stepped up and made the stop, and subsequently, the play of the game.
“The whole game came down to this one play,” Reid told the media after the 13-12 victory at NRG Stadium. “You know we all went into the huddle like the game is on the line right here. Everybody just do your job. Just pay attention.”
Reid’s assignment, as is his position, was to be the last line of defense. He moved where the pile went, then, when Houston needed him most, did his job.
“I was actually responsible for the back on that play,” said Reid. “The front line, the D line did a great job pushing the pile, opening it up to where it was basically just me and him. Just had to bow up and make a play.”
Did Reid’s instincts take over? Or was it those grueling training camp days, practice, and walkthroughs?
It’s a bit of both; without hard work, those instincts aren’t developed.
Said Reid: “You know we train for this. We practice these type of plays. We know that we do goal line in training camp. All that practice and training comes down to games like this where we have to show up with it. So at that point you’re just playing ball; you let your instincts take over.”
However, instincts don’t mean anything if you’re not at the right place at the right time. Luckily for Houston, Reid was prepared.
“I saw an opportunity,” said Reid. “I saw him try to dive and make the line. I was in the right place at the right time and made a play.”
For many watching, Reid’s stop was a sigh of relief. The Texans won their home opener — though it was ugly, they got the job done. For the players on the field, it was an exciting moment, especially for Reid.
On what Reid thought after making the play: “Aww man, pure ecstasy. It was like excitement. I almost threw my arm out with how hard I punched the air. It was a great feeling. It feels good to get a win.”
As Tiger Woods says, “winning solves everything.”
