Game Report, 2024 Week 8: Packers 30, Jaguars 27

4 days ago

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JACKSONVILLE – They fought, scraped and played inspired. Really inspired.

Then frustratingly, it wasn't enough.

Packers vs Jaguars - Figure 1 — Photo jaguars.com

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw for two touchdowns, ran for another and led two gritty comebacks. But the Jaguars couldn't overcome mistakes and missed opportunities – and the Green Bay Packers held on for a wild 30-27 victory at EverBank Stadium Sunday afternoon.

"They're devastated," Head Coach Doug Pederson said of the Jaguars' locker room, with Lawrence calling it "a tough day – really on all levels."

Added defensive end Josh Hines-Allen, "This definitely hurts right now."

Kicker Brandon McManus' 24-yard field goal as time expired gave the Packers the victory. Backup quarterback Malik Willis' 51-yard pass to wide receiver Jayden Reed gave the Packers a first down at the Jaguars 15 with 1:04 remaining.

"I do feel the team coming together but we just have to find a way to get to 3-6 and go win next week," Lawrence said. "We can't worry about what's going to come after that. We just have to go take it one week at a time.

Packers vs Jaguars - Figure 2 — Photo jaguars.com

"That's the only way we're going to get out of the hole that we've put ourselves in."

Tight end Evan Engram's leaping, twisting catch on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Lawrence with 1:48 remaining tied it 27-27 after the Jaguars trailed by 10 early in the fourth quarter.

The Jaguars drove 87 yards for that touchdown with their three top wide receivers – Christian Kirk (shoulder), Brian Thomas Jr. (chest) and Gabe Davis (shoulder) – having left the game with injuries. The Jaguars during that drive were playing with "12" – two tight-end – personnel because Parker Washington and Tim Jones were the only healthy receivers.

"The guys battled their tails off," Pederson said. "Hats off to those guys."

The Jaguars (2-6) lost after winning two of their previous three games. The Packers are 6-2.

Packers vs Jaguars - Figure 3 — Photo jaguars.com

"They battled their tails off," Pederson said. "It's all I can ask for. But I also want them to understand, too, that these games come down to about two plays, three plays. There are some things we need to pick up if we want to get back on track."

The Jaguars, after trailing 10-0 early, rallied to lead 20-17 with Lawrence running for a second-quarter touchdown and giving the Jaguars a third-quarter lead with a touchdown pass to Thomas.

But the Packers scored the next 14 points.

First, running back Josh Jacobs ran 38 yards to give the Packers a late third-quarter lead. Lawrence then lost a fumble – his first loss fumble of the season – three plays into the ensuing series to set up a short touchdown drive that extended the Packers' lead to double digits –27-17 – early in the fourth quarter.

Packers vs Jaguars - Figure 4 — Photo jaguars.com

Lawrence completed 21 of 32 passes for 308 yards and two touchdowns with one interception.

Packers quarterback Jordan Love completed 14 of 22 passes for 196 yards and no touchdowns with one interception before leaving with a groin injury in the third quarter. Willis completed four of five passes for 56 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions.

The Jaguars registered one sack and a takeaway Sunday, with cornerback Jarrian Jones intercepting Love in the second quarter at the Jaguars 6. Defensive ends Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker split a fourth-quarter sack.

"We had every opportunity to win this game and again it comes back down to those little mistakes," Hines-Allen said. "This one is definitely going to hurt because I feel like we had a great game defensively, special teams, offensively. I think we all made big plays when we needed them the most, but we didn't get this victory. This one really hurts."

Packers vs Jaguars - Figure 5 — Photo jaguars.com

Week 8 - Step by Step:

The Jaguars squandered field position throughout a first quarter that ended 0-0. Punter Logan Cooke twice pinned the Packers inside their 10, once with a 73-yard punt out of bounds at the Packers' 2-yard line. The Jaguars forced a three-and-out possession on the ensuing drive, but failed to score after taking possession at the 50. The Packers then drove from their 8-yard line deep into Jaguars territory as the quarter ended. Jacobs' three-yard run gave the Packers a 7-0 lead with 11:31 remaining in the second quarter; the score came three plays after Packers cornerback Xavier McKinney intercepted a pass down the seam from Lawrence – an interception that came two plays after Jaguars rookie cornerback Jarrian Jones intercepted Love at the Jaguars 6. McManus' 31-yard field goal pushed the Packers' lead to 10-0 with 6:03 remaining in the second quarter. Lawrence's six-yard run with 2:37 remaining in the second quarter cut the lead to 10-7 and capped a six-play, 70-yard drive immediately after McManus' field goal. McManus' 38-yard field goal with :54 remaining in the second quarter pushed the Packers' lead to 13-7. Little's 39-yard goal with :03 remaining in the half cut the lead to 13-10. Lawrence's 14-yard pass to Thomas capped a 93-yard, 10-play drive and gave the Jaguars their first lead of the game – 17-13 – with 5:10 remaining in the third quarter. Jacobs' 38-yard run capped the ensuing 80-yard, eight-play drive and gave the Packers a 20-17 lead with :21 remaining in the third quarter. Wide receiver Tucker Kraft's three-yard pass from Willis extended the Packers' lead to 27-17 with 14:06 remaining in the fourth quarter. That touchdown came two plays after Packers defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt recovered a fumble by Lawrence at the Jaguars 5. Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper's sack forced the fumble. Cam Little's 47-yard field goal with 5:36 remaining trimmed the lead to 27-17.

Notable Moments:

Packers vs Jaguars - Figure 6 — Photo jaguars.com

Fourth-year veteran Walker Little made his first start of the season Sunday in place of Cam Robinson, who played as a backup after being cleared from concussion protocol Saturday. Robinson when healthy has been the Jaguars' starting left tackle since 2017. Linebacker Foye Oluokun, activated from injured reserve Saturday, started for the first time since sustaining a foot injury in a Week 3 loss at Buffalo. The Jaguars' six inactive players Sunday: rookie defensive tackle Masson Smith, running back Travis Etienne Jr., defensive tackle Esezi Otomewo, rookie defensive end Myles Cole, rookie offensive lineman Javon Foster and offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen.

In-Game Injury Report:

Jaguars cornerback Ronald Darby sustained a hip injury in the first quarter. Wide receiver Gabe Davis sustained a shoulder injury in the second quarter and did not return. Right guard Brandon Scherff sustained a knee injury in the second quarter, was replaced by Cooper Hodges, and returned. Left guard Ezra Cleveland sustained an ankle injury in the third quarter and was replaced by Hodges. Wide receiver Christian Kirk sustained a shoulder injury in the fourth quarter and was immediately ruled out.

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