Packers vs. Jaguars: Full Report Card Grades for Green Bay

The Jaguars used timeouts within a minute of each other with 7:30 remaining in the game. In order to do that, they’ll need improvement from the offense. Those led to momentum issues. While trying to run out the clock late in the fourth quarter, Rodgers had to burn a timeout, and the Packers followed that with an inexcusable delay of game penalty that turned a third-and-short into a third-and-long and then a punt.

It was the first sellout in Jacksonville since 2014 and though the Packers – as always – had a ton of road support, this intriguing group of Jaguars just might start drawing a lot better.

Bortles, as he did during a breakout season previous year, was able to hit several big plays in the game. “So to get one in the first game, it was like I needed that for myself and for the team”.

Green Bay Packers players warm up before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on September 11, 2016 in Jacksonville. The Packers are built to score points and allow their pass rush and deep secondary to make life hard for the opposing offense.

No one would blame the Jaguars for celebrating a 27-23 loss to the Packers. The final one was the biggest of the day, though.

The offense made big plays consistently.

The drive started with a deep seam pass to tight end Jared Cook that was incomplete, but Jaguars safety Johnathan Cyprien was called for pass interference, giving Green Bay 30 yards. Punter Brad Nortman nailed punts of 58 and 67 yards and pinned the Packers at their own three-yard line twice. He also made both of his extra point attempts. The referees really dropped the ball on that end. There were no catch-and-run 60-yard gains.

With Rodgers throwing for two touchdowns and running for another, he now has the kind of weapons that he needs. It was the flawless start to a two-minute scoring drive that ended with perhaps one of the best plays of the NFL’s opening Sunday of 2016: Rodgers’ 29-yard touchdown pass to a diving Adams. The Packers had seven men at the line of scrimmage, which meant a pass play for Bortles. Robinson was able to recover the fumble with 1:15 left.

His numbers, 24-of-39 for 320 passing yards, a touchdown and an interception, were solid. Marqise Lee ran an in-cutting route from the wide right position. “When (people) look back, no one’s going to say, ‘They only lost by whatever.’ The only thing they’re going to see is an ‘L'”. He was all over Davante Adams, Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson during different points in the game. “We don’t have rules for marquee players and we don’t have rules for marquee teams”, Goodell said.

Advertisement

A well-designed play. Bortles had three receivers lined up left. “It’s been a tough time for us and this organization these last couple years, but I think we’re headed in the right direction”.