Jacksonville Jaguars 2020 Week 1 Game Review

By Liam Wirsansky on September 20, 2020

Ranked towards the bottom of most, if not all of the national media’s NFL team rankings for the beginning of the 2020 season, the Jacksonville jaguars shocked many as they upset the Philip River led Colts 27-20, Sunday afternoon.  After the flurry of trades and changes that the team made in the offseason and even last week with the release of former 4th overall pick, Leonard Fournette, were pegged as the team to to tank for one of the collegiate football star quarterbacks, like are it Lawrence from Clemson. With aBefore the win on Sunday the national media seemingly had forgotten about the foundation of success that Jaguars QB Gardener Minshew built in in his rookie season, leading all rookie QBs in wins, and the number of first round draft picks that were received in trades, who all made contributions today. With a win on Sunday, the Jags take first place atop the AFC South Division.

The Jaguars Came Back and Didn’t Allow Mistakes to Stop Them From Winning

This Jaguars team is young and full of a lot of new faces on the starting lineup. Without a preseason to even practice and get on the same page, the first half started out rough for the Jaguars defense, minus a few shining moments like their fourth down stand and the interception by first round pick rookie CB CJ Henderson. The offense also took some time to gel, however they strung together two touchdown drives to keep the game close before, ending the half 14-17. Well the defense played much better in the second half, only allowing three points, there were many times where they reason to cause concern as they made countless mistakes and penalties late in the game that could’ve ultimately lost them the game, especially if they had been playing a Philip Rivers who had a preseason to practice.  there were two Kate penalties by DE Dawuane Smoot, several poorly timed pass interference calls, and even a hold that negated a beautiful INT by 1st round pick DE K’Lavon Chaisson that could’ve ended the game much earlier than it dragged on to be. Despite all of this, the defense, offense, and special teams made enough plays to hold the Colts to 3 points in the second half and comeback to win. That’s impressive for a young team like the Jaguars.

 

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They Jaguars Created Turnovers

Speaking of impressive, the jags defense stepped up in the second half and forced turnovers, something this team has majorly struggled with in the past. The late pick by S Andrew Wingard and the multiple 4th down stands, provided a spark to help give the ball back to the offense and keep the opposing offense off of the scoreboard. Even with only one sack, the team created a nice amount of pressure on QB Philip Rivers, as well as created a nice front to stuff the Colts rushing attack, which also had its moments, even after starter RB Marlon Mack left early in the first half and did not return. CB CJ Henderson also had a few nice 3rd down stops and passes defended late in the game to go along with his first half interception. The rookie showed just why the Jaguars invested such a high first round pick, and has the looking and makings to be a star in this league. Overallthe defense stepped up when it mattered and that’s what’s important.

They Also Did Not Turn the Ball Over

Not only did the Jaguars defense stuff up, but the offense had one of its best games to date, scoring points and limiting the turnovers to zero. In the four games Minshew played in last year that the Jaguars didn’t turn the ball over they won, and on Sunday that appeared to be the winning formula again, as QB Gardener Minshew avoided any interceptions and fumbles along with the rest of the offense. Despite giving up four sacks, and a few penalties, the offensive line looked much stronger and cohesive than last season, making several holes for undrafted rookie RB James Robinson, who had an impressive outing of his own, and giving Minshew enough time to make his reads and find his targets in a clean pocket. Smart and a good scrambler as always, Minshew also handled the pressure nicely and picked up important yardage on the ground, in some vital situations.

 

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Gardner Minshew has a Game

Let’s continue the praise for the Quarterback, whose probably had one of the biggest chips on his shoulders coming into the season with all of the chatter and rumors surrounding the Jaguars organization and their choices appearing to indicate a tank job, with an abundance of early draft picks in the upcoming NDL Draft, and several star studded prospects likely to enter it. The offense led by Gardner Minshew, who went 19/20 for 194 yards and 3 TDs, had a speed and most about it that hasn’t been seen in Jacksonville in a long time. With 6 TDs in his last two games and a 95% completion rate to 10 different receivers, it’s time that respect rightfully be given to the quarterback, and Gardner will hopefully build on his strong start to prove the a Jaguars were correct to trade away Nick Foles in the off-season and give him the reins as the full-time starter this season.

The Jaguars have a long way to go before they can prove that they are a legitimate playoff and championship contender in the league, but the potential looks to be there and at the very least the future looks very bright for a lot of these young Jaguars players who look to build off their first win in week 1, taking on the Tennessee Titans, next Sunday, September 20th at 1:00pm in Nashville.

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