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Photo: Michael Ciaglo / Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 13 Caption Close Image 2 of 13 RUNNING BACKS

Alfred Blue had 102 yards and a 65-yard run called back because of a penalty. The Texans had 31 carries for 160 yards. Their 5.2-yard average per carry was a season high.

Grade: A less Alfred Blue had 102 yards and a 65-yard run called back because of a penalty. The Texans had 31 carries for 160 yards. Their 5.2-yard average per carry was a season high. RUNNING BACKS

Alfred Blue had 102 yards and a 65-yard run called back because of a penalty. The Texans had 31 carries for 160 yards. Their 5.2-yard average per carry was a season Alfred Blue had 102 yards and a 65-yard run called back because of a penalty. The Texans had 31 carries for 160 yards. Their 5.2-yard average per carry was a season ... more Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 3 of 13 RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS

DeAndre Hopkins had a team-best seven catches for 89 yards. Rookie Jaelen Strong got his most playing time and caught a season-best six passes for 56 yards. Tight ends Ryan Griffin and C.J. Fiedorowicz combined for five receptions.

Grade: B less DeAndre Hopkins had a team-best seven catches for 89 yards. Rookie Jaelen Strong got his most playing time and caught a season-best six passes for 56 yards. Tight ends Ryan Griffin and C.J. Fiedorowicz combined for five receptions. RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS

DeAndre Hopkins had a team-best seven catches for 89 yards. Rookie Jaelen Strong got his most playing time and caught a season-best six passes for 56 yards. Tight ends Ryan DeAndre Hopkins had a team-best seven catches for 89 yards. Rookie Jaelen Strong got his most playing time and caught a season-best six passes for 56 yards. Tight ends Ryan ... more Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 4 of 13 OFFENSIVE LINE

Losing Duane Brown with a torn quad muscle was devastating, but Chris Clark filled in well. The linemen did a terrific job of run blocking and, for the most part, protected Brian Hoyer well enough.

Grade: B-plus less Losing Duane Brown with a torn quad muscle was devastating, but Chris Clark filled in well. The linemen did a terrific job of run blocking and, for the most part, protected Brian Hoyer well enough. OFFENSIVE LINE

Losing Duane Brown with a torn quad muscle was devastating, but Chris Clark filled in well. The linemen did a terrific job of run blocking and, for the most part, protected Brian Losing Duane Brown with a torn quad muscle was devastating, but Chris Clark filled in well. The linemen did a terrific job of run blocking and, for the most part, protected Brian ... more Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 5 of 13 Image 6 of 13 DEFENSIVE LINE

Playing without the cast on his left hand, J.J. Watt led the team with eight tackles. He had three sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Christian Covington had a sack.

Grade: A-plus less Playing without the cast on his left hand, J.J. Watt led the team with eight tackles. He had three sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Christian Covington had a sack. DEFENSIVE LINE

Playing without the cast on his left hand, J.J. Watt led the team with eight tackles. He had three sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Christian Covington had a Playing without the cast on his left hand, J.J. Watt led the team with eight tackles. He had three sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Christian Covington had a ... more Photo: Michael Ciaglo / Houston Chronicle Image 7 of 13 LINEBACKERS

Whitney Mercilus tied his career high with 3 ½ sacks. John Simon added one-half. As a group, they shut down the run, covered well and put a lot of pressure on Blake Bortles.

Grade: A-plus less Whitney Mercilus tied his career high with 3 ½ sacks. John Simon added one-half. As a group, they shut down the run, covered well and put a lot of pressure on Blake Bortles. LINEBACKERS

Whitney Mercilus tied his career high with 3 ½ sacks. John Simon added one-half. As a group, they shut down the run, covered well and put a lot of pressure on Blake Whitney Mercilus tied his career high with 3 ½ sacks. John Simon added one-half. As a group, they shut down the run, covered well and put a lot of pressure on Blake ... more Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle Image 8 of 13 SECONDARY

Kareem Jackson returned an interception 27 yards for a touchdown. Andre Hal intercepted a pass that led to a field goal. They limited Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns to a combined eight catches and no touchdowns.

Grade: A-plus less Kareem Jackson returned an interception 27 yards for a touchdown. Andre Hal intercepted a pass that led to a field goal. They limited Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns to a combined eight catches and no touchdowns. SECONDARY

Kareem Jackson returned an interception 27 yards for a touchdown. Andre Hal intercepted a pass that led to a field goal. They limited Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns to a combined eight Kareem Jackson returned an interception 27 yards for a touchdown. Andre Hal intercepted a pass that led to a field goal. They limited Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns to a combined eight ... more Photo: Michael Ciaglo / Houston Chronicle Image 9 of 13 SPECIAL TEAMS

Nick Novak kicked three field goals, including a pair of 51-yarders. He had two touchbacks on kickoffs. Punt coverage was mediocre. Shane Lechler had a 47.5-yard gross and a 35-yard net.

Grade: B less Nick Novak kicked three field goals, including a pair of 51-yarders. He had two touchbacks on kickoffs. Punt coverage was mediocre. Shane Lechler had a 47.5-yard gross and a 35-yard net. SPECIAL TEAMS

Nick Novak kicked three field goals, including a pair of 51-yarders. He had two touchbacks on kickoffs. Punt coverage was mediocre. Shane Lechler had a 47.5-yard gross and a 35-yard Nick Novak kicked three field goals, including a pair of 51-yarders. He had two touchbacks on kickoffs. Punt coverage was mediocre. Shane Lechler had a 47.5-yard gross and a 35-yard ... more Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 10 of 13 Image 11 of 13 COACHING

Bill O’Brien’s team did what it was supposed to do, dominate the Jaguars and win its last three games against AFC South opponents to earn the division title. An outstanding coaching job by O’Brien and his staff.

Grade: A less Bill O’Brien’s team did what it was supposed to do, dominate the Jaguars and win its last three games against AFC South opponents to earn the division title. An outstanding coaching job by O’Brien and his staff. COACHING

Bill O’Brien’s team did what it was supposed to do, dominate the Jaguars and win its last three games against AFC South opponents to earn the division title. An outstanding coaching Bill O’Brien’s team did what it was supposed to do, dominate the Jaguars and win its last three games against AFC South opponents to earn the division title. An outstanding coaching ... more Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 12 of 13 OVERALL

The Texans scored on offense, defense and special teams to dominate the Jaguars. They generated 402 yards, limited the Jaguars to 215 and set a team record with eight sacks to finish 9-7 and clinch the AFC South title.

Grade: A less The Texans scored on offense, defense and special teams to dominate the Jaguars. They generated 402 yards, limited the Jaguars to 215 and set a team record with eight sacks to finish 9-7 and clinch the AFC South title. OVERALL

The Texans scored on offense, defense and special teams to dominate the Jaguars. They generated 402 yards, limited the Jaguars to 215 and set a team record with eight sacks to finish 9-7 The Texans scored on offense, defense and special teams to dominate the Jaguars. They generated 402 yards, limited the Jaguars to 215 and set a team record with eight sacks to finish 9-7 ... more Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle Image 13 of 13 Texans rookie WR Jaelen Strong emerges as offensive weapon late in season 1 / 13 Back to Gallery

Texans rookie wide receiver Jaelen Strong has emerged as a more important part of the offense over the past few games.

Two games after his game-winning touchdown catch against the Indianapolis Colts, the third-round draft pick started Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars and caught a career-high six passes for 56 yards on seven targets.

“As a rookie, I just want to do what they tell me to do, do my job and work as hard as I can because I know there are guys that haven’t been to the playoffs since I was probably like eight years old,” Strong said. “That just goes to show how much hard work that they’ve done and we’re doing.”

After reporting overweight at 231 pounds and diligently exercising and dieting down to 197 pounds, Strong emerged as a contributor late in the season and finished with 14 catches for 161 yards and three touchdowns.

“I always had the mindset that I could be as great as I wanted to be, but I had to take my time, ease myself into things,” Strong said. “Slow things down and take the coaching and take the coaching from the players on the field, too.”

aaron.wilson@chron.com

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