JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6) lost 30-27 to the Green Bay Packers (6-2) at EverBank Stadium. This was the Jaguars’ first game back in the U.S. after playing two games in London, where they lost to the Chicago Bears and beat the New England Patriots.
After unsuccessful scoring drives by both the Packers and the Jaguars to start the game, P Logan Cooke had an impressive 73 yard punt that went out of bounds at Green Bay’s 2 yard line. The Packers and Jaguars both failed to score on their next drives. The Packers ended up in the red zone at the end of the first quarter, but neither team was able to score before the clock ran out and the teams switched sides.
Early in the second quarter, fans were excited to see an interception by Jaguars rookie CB Jarrian Jones at the Jaguars’ 6 yard line to put a stop to the Packers’ drive. But three plays later, QB Trevor Lawrence was intercepted by S Xavier McKinney, putting the ball back in the Packers’ possession. Green Bay scored a touchdown a few plays later on a 3 yard run by RB Josh Jacobs. Former Jaguars K Brandon McManus scored the extra point to put the Packers ahead 7-0 on his first return to EverBank Stadium since the Jaguars decided not to re-sign him this past offseason. The Packers later added a 31 yard field goal by McManus, extending their lead to 10-0. The Jags responded with a touchdown on their next drive, ending with Trevor Lawrence running 6 yards into the end zone. K Cam Little added the XP, narrowing the Jaguars’ deficit to 10-7. McManus later added a 38 yard field goal, to extend the Packers’ lead to 13-7. With less than a minute remaining in the half, the Jaguars had an effective drive, which ended with Little’s 39 yard field goal, putting the Jags down 13-10 heading into halftime.
Brian Thomas Jr. (Photo credit: Harry Castiblanco, Florida National News)
In the third quarter, the Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence completed a 14 yard touchdown pass to rookie WR Brian Thomas Jr., and Little’s extra point put the Jaguars ahead 17-13, for their first lead of the game. But a 38 yard touchdown run by Josh Jacobs, followed by a McManus XP put the Packers ahead 20-17.
After a Trevor Lawrence fumble early in the fourth quarter, Packers QB Malik Willis completed a 3 yard touchdown pass to TE Tucker Kraft, and McManus added another extra point, extending their lead to 27-17. Cam Little scored a 47 yard field goal, to make it 27-20. Trevor Lawrence later added a 14 yard touchdown pass to TE Evan Engram, and Little’s XP tied the game at 27-27 with 1:48 remaining in the game. But that left enough time for McManus to add a 24 yard field goal as time expired, giving the Packers the 30-27 victory.
Foyesade Oluokon returned from the injured reserve today for his first game since suffering a foot injury in week 3. But WR Gabe Davis suffered a shoulder injury, CB Ronald Darby injured his hip, and RG Brandon Scherff had a knee injury in the first half of today’s game, and in the second half, LG Ezra Cleveland hurt his ankle, WR Brian Thomas Jr. suffered a chest injury, and Christian Kirk hurt his shoulder, and it’s not yet clear when they might return. On the other side, Packers QB Jordan Love played with a knee injury for most of the first half, before leaving the game with what Green Bay described as a groin injury.
Trevor Lawrence finished with 308 yards and 2 touchdowns. Tank Bigsby led the Jaguars’ rushing with 78 yards. Brian Thomas, Jr. was the leading receiver with 60 yards and 1 touchdown.
The Jaguars head to Philadelphia to face the Eagles on Sunday, 11/3. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. The Jaguars’ next home game will be against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, 11/10 at 1:00 p.m. Be sure to follow www.FloridaSportsChannel.com and www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.
