HOUSTON: The Houston Texans defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 30-17 in the Texans' first game on the nationally televised Monday Night Football broadcast since the franchise began in 2002.

Running back Steve Slaton scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to maintain Houston's buffer over the Jaguars, who threatened several times, but were only able to score two touchdowns late in the game against a tired Texan defence.

Jacksonville fell to 4-8 in a season that began with the Jaguars picked to be Super Bowl contenders.