Moeller: What Will The Jaguars Do For An Encore?
By Jeff Moeller, Florida Sports Wire
JACKSONVILLE - It began with all the signs of bad afternoon.
The national anthem could not be heard over the public address system, but the crowd began to sing the lyrics.
A scoreboard sign trying to get the fans to chant “defense” was spelled “defence” – a British spelling maybe foretelling more Jags’ games across the pond. However, it was soon corrected.
Then we had the thunderstorm delay – rumored to be the first in Jags’ history – that only yielded some rain sprinkles.
It appeared the Jags would have a long day in the season and home opener.
However, it resulted in one of the better Jags’ games in recent years as well as one of their better season openers in a 26-10 rout of Carolina.
This was an afternoon when the Jags were effective and efficient with the fanfare. They didn’t need Travis Hunter to make any highlight plays on both sides of the ball.
A new optimistic feeling has emerged under new head coach Liam Coen after an insecure feeling last season under former boss Doug Pederson.
It was a type of game that winning franchises play. A game in which the Jags controlled on both sides of the ball throughout. The Jags were strong in all three phases of the game. Kicker Cam Little’s four field goals had plenty of length.
Maybe fate will be back on their side after their 4-13 campaign last season and two seasons away from their last playoff berth.
Trevor Lawrence looked crispy and confident, showing the form, he exhibited in the 2022 and ’23 seasons. Lawrence did have a bad interception and a few overthrows, but his 178 yards passing (19-31, 74.4 rating) proved to be enough.
New offensive coordinator’s Grant Udinski’s play calling was fresh and creative, and there will be other target aside from Brian Thomas, who just caught one pass for 11 yards. With tight end Brent Strange catching four balls and fellow tight end Hunter Long wide open for a touchdown pass, it’s apparent that the ball will be shared this season.
Speaking of Hunter, he quietly caught six balls for 33 yards and had a tackle in his limited time of defense.
Travis Etienne had the bulk of carries, still showing his potential on a 71-ayrd burst and registering 143 yards overall.
New defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile apparently has lit a fire under his unit that harassed Carolina quarterback Bryce Young. Even though they only logged one sack, the defense was extremely active. Newcomer and ex-Cowboys corner Jourdan Lewis had a pick, and the secondary - for once in a long time – played solidly.
Yes, it’s only one game, but the Jags have a great springboard.
What will they do for an encore? Try a visit to Cincinnati this Sunday.
If this is any sign of fate on their side, the Bengals should have been beaten by Cleveland, which dropped several passes and, well..played like the Browns.. in a tight 17-16 victory.
Joe Burrow was a pedestrian 14 of 30 for 113 yards, and the Bengals rushed for just 49 yards.
A win in Cincy would be huge.
The AFC South is apparently up for grabs with Houston’s struggles against the Rams, and does anyone believe Daniel Jones can continue the pace he had against the hapless Dolphins? Cam Ward may have a long year in Tennessee.
Coen put his mark on his first game. It’s one that most of us will easily accept.
Now, his players have to play on the same level for the rest of the season. The Jaguars haven’t started the season 2-0 since 2018. Hopefully, they won’t follow that route, which ended 5-11 under Doug Marrone.
There plenty of reasons to smile about at this moment.
It all can continue in Cincinnati Sunday.
(Photo courtesy Carolina Panthers)
