The Jacksonville Jaguars had the mighty Green Bay Packers on the ropes, but in the end, Green Bay ducked the knockout punch and escaped with a 27-23 victory Sunday at Everbank Field. Rodgers went 20-of-34 for 199 passing yards, two passing touchdowns and a rushing score.
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(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack).
NELSON’S RETURN: The next step in Packers receiver Jordy Nelson’s return should be busting a big play. “A lot of guys were sweating a lot – myself included”, quarterback Aaron Rodgers said. Jacksonville probably should be pleased with an oh-so-close effort against a perennial playoff team. Nelson is back, but he didn’t play a single snap in the preseason.
A veteran team, the Packers took advantage quickly, negating the Jaguars pass rush and scoring on an Aaron Rodgers scramble to make it 7-0 early in the first quarter.
Asked about whether he was anxious by Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers – a two-time MVP and the most-deadly quarterback in the NFL – Ramsey didn’t shrug off the question and said he hopes Rodgers throws his way. “It’s tough to win on the road”. In 2014, Rodgers won his second MVP on the strength of Nelson’s stellar season of 98 receptions for 1,519 yards and 13 touchdowns. The poor field position forced a quick three-and-out for the Packers and Jaguars wide receiver Rashad Greene returned a punt to his own 48-yard line to start the team’s third drive.
Opponents sacked Rodgers 46 times a year ago, second-most last season. This one came on a hot and humid day that left some players cramping and others completely exhausted. One of Rodgers’ TD throws went to wide receiver Jordy Nelson, who was playing for the first time since tearing his ACL previous year. Nelson didn’t show his usual big-play ability, but he found the end zone and probably gained some confidence in his surgically repaired right knee.
When things get tough, National Football League teams lean on their quarterback and veteran leadership.
While players still were searching for answers as to why the team opted to release three-time Pro Bowl left guard Josh Sitton on Saturday, the start of the practice week and the approaching game against the Jaguars gave them no choice but to shift gears into preparation mode. The Jaguars had converted their previous three fourth-down plays, but Allen Hurns failed to move the sticks on a bubble screen. He completed 24-of-39 passes for 320 passing yards, a touchdown and an interception.
“I would classify this as a very good adversity win”, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said in his opening postgame remarks. “It would be different if I had gotten hit”.
The Bucks scored just 11 points in the fourth quarter, losing a lead – and the game – to the Toronto Raptors 111-90 Saturday at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. “If you don’t, you lose”.
After a slow start, Nelson was the spark that got the Packers’ offense ignited in the first half. Adams got up and pointed to the back of his jersey several times.
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“It showed he has trust in us to execute our assignments”, receiver Allen Hurns said.
