The Jacksonville Jaguars started 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 jump when the team took the ball to start and marched down the field for a field goal. Yes, it was a win against the Panthers, but it was a win to start the year nonetheless.
This team is far from polished but today has to instill confidence that this version of the Jaguars can be a playoff contender. Hopefully
this isn’t the last time, but basically everyone is a winner after that opening day win.
WINNERS
Travis Etienne
What a day for Travis Etienne. For someone who almost seemed like they were being phased out over the summer, Etienne put the stamp on why he should remain the team’s starter with a 143-yard rushing day. Etienne busted one for 71, aided by the guy below, finishing with an 8.9 average per carry. He even caught three balls for 13 yards.
Overall the Jags finished with 200 yards rushing against a poor run defense team, but it was the legs of Etienne that kept the offense churning all day.
Brenton Strange
Who had Brenton Strange leading the Jags in receiving in Week 1 on their betting slip?
Strange had a monster day in the pass-catching department with a team-high 59 yards. In the blocking sphere, Strange had a key block on a Panthers defender that gave Etienne the space he needed to jump-cut and go off for 71 yards (see above video). If anyone had any doubts about Strange being a good Evan Engram replacement, Sunday likely quieted those doubts.
Offensive Line Play
It feels like forever ago when this sentence could be typed: The Jacksonville Jaguars did not allow a sack.
But it was true Sunday!
The Jags revamped offensive line didn’t allow their signal caller to get sacked, or even touched, all game save for that one intentional grounding. The line can also be given credit for how well the run game worked. It was a great day up front for the Jags.
The negative for the offensive line, however, was that starter Anton Harrison went down super late in the fourth quarter with a back injury. His status will be a big thing to monitor heading into the Bengals game next week.
Foye Oluokon
Not to many people’s surprise, but the Jags stalwart linebacker Foye Oluokon had a great game. Oloukon led the team in tackles, caught a pick and forced a fumble. Those turnovers resulted in 10 points on their own which matched the entire scoring output from the Panthers.
Oluokon is flat-out a great player and showcased everything he can offer at the expense of Bryce Young and the Panthers’ offense.
Defensive Backs
On the topic of defense, the defensive backfield had a hell of a day. Tyson Campbell played quite well against Tet McMillian and was in on a bunch of tackles. Eric Murray was dropping people all over the field from the safety spot. Jourdan Lewis had the game-sealing pick and three pass breakups, not to mention crushing Young in the backfield on a pass. We even saw rookie Travis Hunter get some burn on defense in a limited capacity.
Young finished with just 154 yards passing, much of that coming on dumpoffs late in the game. Like the offensive line group, the DB room got revamped this offseason. It’s looking good so far.
Cam Little
As has been said before, Cam Little has a reserved spot on the winner’s list. Little drilled all four of his field goals, singlehandedly outscoring the Panthers. As he does, Little also nailed both of his extra points.
Trent Baalke did so many things wrong, yet he somehow absolutely nailed the Little draft pick. Something something about blind squirrels and nuts.
Free Pizza
Courtesy of Lewis, Jags fans earned free pizza. Go get some ‘za.
LOSERS
Penalties
Not to be a downer, but goodness gracious, there were so many penalties. By game’s end, the Jags had 11 accepted penalties for 93 yards. It doesn’t take a genius to say that is far too much. Blame it on the weather delay, blame it on the fact that it’s the first game. But that needs to change if the Jags are to be serious contenders.
The penalties and maybe Lawrence’s interception are just about the only real negative aspects of Sunday’s play in the end, however, and both things can be fixed.
Let us know your thoughts from the game in the comments below!
