In a game against the Houston Texans, the Jacksonville Jaguars found a much-needed spark from Brian Thomas Jr. after a critical mistake by the Texans' special teams. Following a muffed punt by Texans returner Steven Sims, Thomas capitalized on the opportunity, catching a 2-yard touchdown pass from Trevor Lawrence, helping the Jaguars secure a key score.

The Hall of Fame Game featured the Chicago Bears defeating the Houston Texans 21-17 in a weather-shortened contest, where the NFL's new kickoff rules were put to the test. The game saw only one touchback out of eight kickoffs, a significant change from last season's high touchback rate. Players and coaches expressed mixed feelings about the new rules, with some highlighting the potential for more explosive plays while others noted the lack of big returns.