Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6) – Green Bay Packers (6-2): 27-30
Green Bay will have gone through all the emotions today. Jordan Love (14/22, 196 yards, 1 interception) came out with a groin injury. In his absence, Malik Willis (4/5, 56 yards, 1 touchdown) and especially Josh Jacobs (25 balls carried, 127 yards, 2 touchdowns) kept the Packers above water.
Jacksonville did, in fact, hang on. After a sluggish start to the match, the Jaguars believed in it until the end after taking control in the third quarter. Trevor Lawrence (21/32, 308 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception, 1 lost ball) struggled by finding 7 different receivers including Brian Thomas Jr. in particular (3 receptions, 1 touchdown). Well helped on the ground by Tank Bigsby (18 balls carried, 78 yards), he made several high-level plays. For example, he found Evan Engram (4 receptions, 36 yards, 1 touchdown) a few moments before the end of the match to equalize. But Doug Pederson's men, despite looking better since last week, still have to lose for the sixth time this season. They will have lacked discipline and more concentration in defense. The Jaguars can blame themselves because this game seemed within their reach today.
Jordan Love injured better than Trevor Lawrence healthy
Both teams were not very inspired in attack at the start of the match. The first four series end with a punt. And bad news for Green Bay, Jordan love (QB) seems to be limping. The quarterback nevertheless holds his position and finds Romeo Doubs (WR, 3 receptions, 72 yards) for two nice passes. The Packers move all the way up the field, but fail again. Jarrian Jones (CB) intercepts Jordan Love who was looking for Doubs. Little impact since Xavier Mckinney (S) imitates him two plays later by catching Trevor Lawrence's pass. This is already the sixth interception this season for the star of the Cheesehead. A new penalty against the Jaguars puts Green Bay in ideal position, a few yards from the end zone. This time, Josh Jacobs leaves no uncertainty: 7-0, the match is underway after almost 20 minutes of play.
The Packers are moving up a gear. After another defensive stop, Jordan Love found his tight end Tucker Kraft for 67 yards. Love limps even more severely, but he remains on the field. Brandon McManus (K) then punctuates the action with 3 additional points. The Jaguars are finally waking up. Lawrence connects with Christian Kirk (WR) for a 33-yard pass then finds rookie Brian Thomas Jr (WR) for 18 yards. Tank Bigsby then failed a few inches from the Promised Land before his quarterback went there himself a pair of plays later. Jacksonville is doing better but is losing its right guard, Brandon Scherf: the five-time pro bowler seems to have a knee injury. A stupid penalty brings Green Bay's offense back onto the field as McManus was about to kick his second kick. It's only a postponement since the defense is holding up behind. Trevor Lawrence then orchestrated a superb comeback with less than a minute on the clock. Cam Little (K) reduces the gap (13-10) and the two teams stay there for halftime.
Josh Jacobs in boss mode
The second half starts very badly for the Packers. After contact with Trevon Walker, Jordan Love (groin injury) gives way to Malik Willis (QB), his knee clearly causing him too much pain. This news gives heart to Jacksonville and Lawrence finds rookie Brian Thomas Jr. The Jaguars take control of the match for the first time. No Love, no problem for the Packers who therefore rely on the running game. Willis goes for it with his legs but it's Josh Jacobs who takes the match into his own hands by scoring his second touchdown of the game, a marvel of 38 yards. It was then that Trevor Lawrence chose to lose the ball a few meters from his own end zone, certainly well helped by Edgerrin Cooper (LB) definitely on a good day (9 tackles including one for loss, 1 sack, 1 deflected pass, 1 forced ball loss). Tucker Kraft then shines for National Tight Ends Day by catching a pass from Malik Willis for a touchdown. 27-17 for the Packers who put a first hand on the match. Christian Kirk is also injured (shoulder) and must leave the field. His partners advance despite everything and Little reduces the gap to 7 points.
The Jaguars are far from admitting defeat. The defense stops the attack of the green and yellow several times before Trevor Lawrence throws a touchdown for Evan Engram: Jacksonville equalizes with less than two minutes remaining, everything has to be done again for Green Bay! The Packers do not need to be asked, Willis finds Jayden Reed (WR) for 49 yards. Dillon Brooks (RB) intelligently lays down in front of the Jaguars end zone to burn a timeout for Doug Pederson. Brandon McManus is putting the final nails in Jacksonville's coffin. 30-27, Green Bay comes out after going through all the emotions.
