Overview
The Jaguars saw quite a few things they wanted to see.
That didn't lead to a victory Friday in New Jersey, but more significantly, it meant a second consecutive 2015 preseason game with real strides from the first-team offense.
Second-year quarterback Blake Bortles completed 8 of 16 passes for 98 yards and no touchdowns with no interceptions while playing the first three series, and the New York Giants' reserves pulled away in the second half for a 22-12 victory.
The first-team offense accounted for all three first-half Jaguars scoring drives.
"I think we did a good job," Bortles said afterward. "Obviously you want to get seven and not three, but we were able to get some points and put some good drives together. I thought we ran the ball well. I thought the offensive line ran blocked well and protected really well, too. I think it was a good start."
An attendance of 72,479 was announced for the game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
Bortles and the rest of the offensive starters left the game with a little under eight minutes remaining in the second quarter and the Jaguars leading 9-3. The Jaguars at that point had 152 yards total offense, with their three drives totaling 46, 49 and 36 yards.
"I like that we started fast," Jaguars Head Coach Gus Bradley said. "We came down [and] got some points the first drive. We stuck to it, the offense moved the ball.
"Now we have to turn those three points into touchdowns."
All three early drives were extended in nature: 10, 10 and 12 plays. Josh Scobee capped the Jaguars' first drive of the game with a 52-yard field goal. Jason Myers converted field goals of 38 and 49 yards to finish the second two drives.
Chad Henne replaced Bortles, completing seven of 12 passes for 31 yards before leaving early in the fourth quarter.
Field goals of 49, 43 and 53 yards in the second and third quarter gave the Giants a 12-9 lead, then reserve quarterback Ryan Nassib hit wide receiver Dwayne Harris for an 8-yard touchdown with 13;20 remaining to give the Giants a 19-9 lead.
Myers hit a 55-yard field goal with 1:55 remaining to make it 22-12.
Player of the Game
Jaguars first-team offensive line.Bortles left the game without having been sacked – and with the exception of one play on which he had to scramble, he had time on nearly every throw. The Jaguars' first-team offense also controlled momentum in the run game, rushing for 40 yards and picking up three first downs with Toby Gerhart running behind fullback/defensive tackle Tyson Alualu.
Offensively
The offense was effective early, with Bortles and the offensive line keying the three early scoring drives. Denard Robinson was effective for a second consecutive week with 19 yards on five carries and rookie wide receiver Rashad Greene – playing a more extensive role than in the preseason opener – had an early impact with two receptions for 14 yards. The Jaguars finished the first half with 11 first downs and 180 yards offense.
Defensively
The first-team defense got the Giants off the field more often than not early in the game despite struggling at times to put consistent pressure on quarterback Eli Manning. End Ryan Davis and end Jared Odrick had early pass breakups and cornerback Demetrius McCray had a pass defense on an early long pass from Manning to Odell Beckham, Jr. The Giants finished the first half with 27 yards rushing.
Specially
This area continued to look improved, particularly early in the return game. Greene had a six-yard punt return early on which he made a defensive miss and rookie Corey Grant had a 35-yard kickoff return following the Giants' first field goal late in the first quarter and also had a 42-yarder in the second half. Scobee and Myers each continued to kick well in preseason.
Injury updates
*Jaguars wide receiver Arrelious Benn left the game late in the first quarter with a shoulder injury, with offensive tackle Josh Wells leaving late in the first quarter with a hand injury. Cornerback Demetrius McCray and linebacker LaRoy Reynolds left with knee injuries in the second quarter. Linebacker Khairi Fortt sustained a knee injury in the third quarter.
*Rookie running back T.J Yeldon was ruled out a little more than two hour before kickoff Saturday. He has worked in a red, non-contact jersey since sustaining a finger injury in the team's August 8 scrimmage at EverBank Field. …
*Defensive end Chris Clemons as expected did not play Saturday, with defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks (knee), safety James Sample (arm), safety Johnathan Cyprien (finger), tight end Julius Thomas (hand), wide receiver Marqise Lee (hamstring), cornerback Peyton Thompson (hamstring) and wide receiver Neal Sterling (hamstring) also not playing. Clemons and Sample could play next week against the Detroit Lions in the third preseason game, while Cyprien Thomas and Lee are not expected to play in the preseason. …
Standing out
*Allen Robinson. The second-year veteran wide receiver was strong for the most part on the Jaguars' first three series, catching three passes for 64 yards. His highlight play was a 36-yard gain that set up the Jaguars' second field, with Robinson catching a short pass across the middle from Bortles and running to the Giants 26. …
*Tyson Alualu. The veteran defensive end appears to have found an added role as a fullback. He played there several plays in the first half, lead-blocking on first-down producing runs by Toby Gerhart three times. Playing three-technique tackle with Sen'Derrick Marks returning from knee surgery, Alualu also had a tackle for loss early in the second quarter. …