The Jacksonville Jaguars began the season with an emphatic 26-10 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday in what was an over four-hour-long outing at Everbank Stadium.
It was all Jags from the bounce when the crew took the ball to begin and marched down the sphere for a subject aim. Sure, it was a win in opposition to the Panthers, however it was a win to begin the 12 months nonetheless.
This crew is way from polished however right this moment has to instill confidence that this model of the Jaguars generally is a playoff contender. Hopefully this isn’t the final time, however principally everyone seems to be a winner after that opening day win.
What a day for Travis Etienne. For somebody who nearly appeared like they had been being phased out over the summer season, Etienne put the stamp on why he ought to stay the crew’s starter with a 143-yard speeding day. Etienne busted one for 71, aided by the man beneath, ending with an 8.9 common per carry. He even caught three balls for 13 yards.
General the Jags completed with 200 yards speeding in opposition to a poor run protection crew, however it was the legs of Etienne that saved the offense churning all day.
Who had Brenton Unusual main the Jags in receiving in Week 1 on their betting slip?
Unusual had a monster day within the pass-catching division with a team-high 59 yards. Within the blocking sphere, Unusual had a key block on a Panthers defender that gave Etienne the area he wanted to jump-cut and go off for 71 yards (see above video). If anybody had any doubts about Unusual being an excellent Evan Engram substitute, Sunday doubtless quieted these doubts.
It seems like endlessly in the past when this sentence might be typed: The Jacksonville Jaguars didn’t enable a sack.
The Jags revamped offensive line didn’t enable their sign caller to get sacked, and even touched, all sport save for that one intentional grounding. The road may also be given credit score for a way nicely the run sport labored. It was an ideal day up entrance for the Jags.
The destructive for the offensive line, nonetheless, was that starter Anton Harrison went down tremendous late within the fourth quarter with a again harm. His standing might be a giant factor to watch heading into the Bengals sport subsequent week.
To not many individuals’s shock, however the Jags stalwart linebacker Foye Oluokon had an ideal sport. Oloukon led the crew in tackles, caught a decide and compelled a fumble. These turnovers resulted in 10 factors on their very own which matched your complete scoring output from the Panthers.
Oluokon is flat-out an ideal participant and showcased every thing he can supply on the expense of Bryce Younger and the Panthers’ offense.
On the subject of protection, the defensive backfield had a hell of a day. Tyson Campbell performed fairly nicely in opposition to Tet McMillian and was in on a bunch of tackles. Eric Murray was dropping folks all around the subject from the security spot. Jourdan Lewis had the game-sealing decide and three go breakups, to not point out crushing Younger within the backfield on a go. We even noticed rookie Travis Hunter get some burn on protection in a restricted capability.
Younger completed with simply 154 yards passing, a lot of that approaching dumpoffs late within the sport. Just like the offensive line group, the DB room received revamped this offseason. It’s trying good thus far.
As has been mentioned earlier than, Cam Little has a reserved spot on the winner’s checklist. Little drilled all 4 of his subject objectives, singlehandedly outscoring the Panthers. As he does, Little additionally nailed each of his additional factors.
Trent Baalke did so many issues flawed, but he one way or the other completely nailed the Little draft decide. One thing one thing about blind squirrels and nuts.
Courtesy of Lewis, Jags followers earned free pizza. Go get some ‘za.
To not be a downer, however goodness gracious, there have been so many penalties. By sport’s finish, the Jags had 11 accepted penalties for 93 yards. It doesn’t take a genius to say that’s far an excessive amount of. Blame it on the climate delay, blame it on the truth that it’s the primary sport. However that should change if the Jags are to be critical contenders.
The penalties and possibly Lawrence’s interception are nearly the one actual destructive facets of Sunday’s play in the long run, nonetheless, and each issues will be mounted.
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