Jaguars vs. Texans 2012: Chad Henne deserves to start after performance against Houston

The Jacksonville Jaguars surprised the Houston Texans on Sunday with a tough effort, but they eventually lost in overtime, 43-37. It was an encouraging day for Jacksonville's offense, though, as backup quarterback Chad Henne threw for 354 yards.

Henne's performance earned him the starting nod next week, in the opinion of Big Cat Country's Alfie Crow.

All in all, it was a surprisingly good and effective day from the Jaguars back up quarterback coming in for an injured Blaine Gabbert. In fact, it was more than good and statistically one of the best games from a Jaguars quarterback that I can remember in a long, long time.

The Jaguars have not announced a decision one way or the other. Starter Blaine Gabbert left early with an injury against the Texans, and his status going forward still needs to be assessed.

Henne tossed four touchdown passes in relief and helped Jacksonville build a 34-20 fourth-quarter lead. Houston rallied to tie and force overtime with a pair of touchdowns in the final six minutes of regulation. The teams traded field goals in the extra period before Houston quarterback Matt Schaub found Andre Johnson for a game-winning 48-yard touchdown.

Jacksonville, which is 1-9 this season, returns to action against the Tennessee Titans in Week 12.