By Jeff Moeller, Florida Sports Wire
JACKSONVILLE – They’re still alive.
In what many perceived as a must-win game to save their season, the Jaguars rallied for a 32-16 victory over the Patriots in London. Doug Pederson’s job was pulled back from hanging by a thread to be let go.
All is well again.
Jacksonville is 2-5 and will host an upstart Packers team at the Bank Sunday afternoon. The Jags were in the same predicament as they were in 2022 when they made their magical season-ending run and playoff victory over the Chargers before they fell to the Chiefs in a valiant effort.
This time around, it will fall upon their defense. Still, the Jags need a complete-game effort against the Packers. Their victory over New England arguably was their best all-around effort this season, but it didn’t start that way.
Last Sunday in London, it looked like another long afternoon, and the Jags defense again looked like they had quit. Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye looked more like Tom Brady taking them straight down the field on their opening drive.
But the Jags’ defense woke up in the second quarter to help spark the offense to 22 first-half points. Parker Washington’s 96-yard punt return for a score certainly helped.
Maye still finished the game with 276 passing yards and completed 26 of 27 attempts, which still doesn’t look good for their secondary woes as arguably the league’s worst. The defense did limit the Pats’ rushing attack to a paltry 38 yards.
Linebackers Devin Lloyd and Ventrelle Miller both had solid performances against the Pats.
On the other side of the ball, Trevor Lawrence has another good week, completing 15 of 23 for 193 yards with a touchdown pass to Brian Thomas Jr, who is emerging as the elite receiver the team envisioned at the draft. The Lawrence-Thomas connection will be one to watch to see how it develops the rest of the season.
Along with Thomas, Tank Bigsby has a bust-out game with his 26 carries for 118 yards with two touchdowns.With Travis Etienne’s status in limbo, this is now Bigsby’s’ show.
The Packers did the Jags a favor with their last-second victory over the Texans thanks to ex-Jaguar Brandon McManus, who booted the game-winning field goal.
Packers’ quarterback Jordan Love had a pedestrian day with three touchdowns and two interceptions and 220 yards. Josh Jacobs rushed for 76 yards.
Yet, Green Bay is still 5-2, and it will be a struggle. Call it another must win on their comeback trail. At 5-2, the Texans are still within reach.
The Jags are still alive, but they will need another Pack-ed boost to get out of their intensive care.
