Henne, Cole Burn The Patriots On A 97 Yard Passing Touchdown
By Larry Brake
The Jacksonville Jaguars opened the preseason against the New England Patriots. Chad Henne passes to Keelan Cole to burn the Patriots deep.
The Jacksonville Jaguars traveled to New England earlier this week. After three joint practices, the Jaguars were ready to open the preseason schedule against the defending Super Bowl champions. Chad Henne threw deep to Keelan Cole to burn the New England secondary for a 97 yard touchdown.
Blake Bortles started the game at quarterback. He played two series and was three of five passing for sixteen yards. Bortles had a pass dropped and missed Allen Robinson in the end zone.
Rashad Greene had a 41 yard punt return to put the Jaguars in great field position. Jason Myers kicked a 27 yard field goal to give Jacksonville a 3-0 lead. Stephen Gostkowski tied the game at 3-3 with his 43 yard field goal.
The Jaguars scored on first down from their own three yard line. Henne hit Cole on a spectacular throw and catch. Henne finished the first half five of six passing and 139 yards and a touchdown.
Leonard Fournette had nine carries for 31 yards and a touchdown. Fournette’s touchdown was from the one yard line where the Jaguars struggled last season. Jacksonville lead 17-3.
The New England Patriot offense got rolling due to missed tackles by the Jaguar defense. The Jacksonville defense were missing tackles due to not wrapping up and finishing them. Yannick Ngakoue wrecked havoc early with a quarterback sack.
The first half ended with Jacksonville leading 17-10. New England tied the game early in the third quarter. Then Brandon Allen entered the game at quarterback.
Corey Grant’s 79 Yard Rushing Touchdown Is Another Way To Burn The New England Defense
Jacksonville regains the lead 24-17 after Corey Grant‘s 79 yard touchdown run. Grant took the hand off from Allen and veered left around the corner untouched for the score. Allen hit DeDe Westbrook for a 42 yard touchdown to extend the lead to 31-17.
The Jaguars running game opened up the vertical passing game. Fournette and Grant ran tough and upfield. The offensive line opened holes all night for the running backs.
The Jaguars defense will get much better as the season grows closer. There were missing starters like Calais Campbell, Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye. Finishing tackles will be a priority moving forward for the Jaguars defense.