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.
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For the Green Bay Packers, the last second, nail-biting, down-to-the-wire victory Sunday at Jacksonville clearly kept with the theme of Week 1 in the National Football League, and as usual Green Bay didn’t disappoint. Florida is a long way from Green Bay, Wisconsin, but you wouldn’t have known it if you were Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who threw for two touchdowns (and heard some roars) in the 27-23 win.
The receiving core also looked really good. They got it to preserve the victory. “That’s tough on the defensive line”. “We had too many of those where guys were coming off the field and didn’t know what the play was. We’re capable of winning games like that“. Twice they had the ball inside the 10-yard line in the second half and couldn’t score because of poor communication.
Packers cornerback Damarious Randall and safety Morgan Burnett were in on the tackle on the short toss to Bortles’ right.
The Packers were outgained by 54 yards, and the defense had a lot of trouble at times containing young Jags quarterback Blake Bortles and his perimeter weapons. “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'”.
“Anytime any of our players is in the protocol and dealing with a concussion, it’s a concern”, coach Mike McCarthy said on Monday. “It’s what we have to do”.
The offense made big plays consistently. The Packers were also a ideal 50 percent on third-down conversions (7-of-14). As a result, the Jaguars dropped their regular-season opener for the fifth consecutive year. He even caught a pass twice on one play. The final one was the biggest of the day, though. Jaguars defensive back Jalen Ramsey, on a blitz, was able to grab Rodgers jersey from behind.
The Jaguars never looked intimidated by the Packers or Rodgers’ brilliance.
“It’s fourth-and-one, so I’ve just got to find a way”, Hurns said.
With Aaron Rodgers urging McCarthy to keep him on the field, the Packers gave the ball off guard to Eddie Lacy who took it for nine yards to the Jaguars’ 11-yard line.
Bortles, as he did during a breakout season past year, was able to hit several big plays in the game. T.J. Yeldon took his place and was unimpressive (39 yards, 1.9 yards per carry).
Chris Ivory sat out this week due to a hamstring injury, and boy did it show.
Despite the unexpected situation, the Jaguars were functional on offense, totaling 348 yards of offense to Green Bay’s 294.
Even though Greg Hardy is the exact opposite of a person you’d want in your locker room, there’s no denying that he would boost a weak Jaguars pass rush.
“It’s going to haunt us every night until next Sunday”.
Without the ability to stop the clock, the Packers needed only one first down, maybe two, to drain the last five minutes and head for home. Well, the Packers couldn’t get off the field on fourth down.
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Nelson played his first meaningful game in 20 months Sunday, finishing with six catches for 32 yards and a touchdown in a victory at Jacksonville.
