DENVER, Colo. – This was memorable, and huge.
This win mattered a lot.
Jaguars rookie quarterback Gardner Minshew II used the word "resilient" more than once after a 26-24 victory over the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High Sunday afternoon, and he was right. This Jaguars team was resilient Sunday. Because of that, it's a game that could have ramifications going forward.
Major ramifications.
The Jaguars rallied from a double-digit deficit on the road. They did it against a desperate team. They did it after being dominated in the first half. They did it with a rookie quarterback and they did it with much of the NFL world focused more on a Jaguars player who didn't play Sunday than the 47 who did.
That's resilient stuff, and that's stuff that can carry over to the coming weeks.
The Jaguars are 2-2 at the end of September. They're in a four-way tie for first place in the AFC South. It's all ahead of them and you got the idea late in Sunday's game that the next few months could get interesting. Stay tuned and hold on.
Let's get to it …
Michael from Middleburg, FL
Are we there yet?!!!
You're referencing Minshew and a ton of recent O-Zone answers regarding a potential quarterback "issue" when starter Nick Foles returns to health in November. No, we're still not there yet. But goodness …. we're getting a lot closer than anyone dreamed possible a month ago.
Al from Orange Park, FL
I don't care what anyone says, the kid is good ...
I'm starting to agree with you more and more every week.
Nick from Palatka, FL
THAT was impressive!
Indeed.
Gary from St. Augustine, FL
Looks like all that work on the running game paid off?
Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette rushed for a career-high 225 yards Sunday – this a week after he rushed for minus-3 yards on his 14 carries in a victory the Tennessee Titans. The Jaguars finished with 269 yards rushing, the second-highest rushing total in a single game in franchise history – this after a week of Head Coach Doug Marrone saying the line had to block better for Fournette. Mission accomplished. The offensive line obviously has some issues. The inconsistent pass-blocking and penalties could have been costly Sunday. But 269 yards rushing? Yes, the work paid off.
Josh from Atlanta, GA
The penalties by this team are disgusting. The timing is equally devastating.
Fair and fair.
Kathy from Jacksonville
When it looked like the Broncos were going to score at the end, I thought the game was over. Then when I saw there was still time on the clock, I believed Minshew and Fournette could make something happen. What a change!
It's quite a thing – and no, I don't think the Jaguars of the past few seasons could have or would have done what the Minshew-led Jaguars did in the final 1:32 Sunday.
Nate from Granby
As good as Minshew is playing, everyone seems to be overlooking the offenses' poor third down conversion rate. Surely this can't continue. What happens when we play a team that the defense can only slow down and not stop the opposing offense?
You sent this in the fourth quarter Sunday. Who in the world had had time to overlook anything at that point?
Josh from Lynchburg, VA
That play. I'm a believer. #minshewmagic
You're referring to a touchdown pass by Minshew II Sunday in the third quarter that almost defies description. He made at least four pass rushers miss and showed great field awareness when he found rookie running back Ryquell Armstead in the corner of the end zone wide open for a touchdown. Was it Minshew Magic? Minshew Mania? Whatever, it was a remarkable play that got the Jaguars back in a game after they had been thoroughly outplayed in the first half. That's magical stuff. It's resilient stuff, too – and the resilience matters more than the magic.
Jami from Wye Mills, MD
Is Cam Robinson really the Jaguars' best option at left tackle? You couldn't prove it in the first half.
Yes, he is. But you're right you couldn't.
Rob from Jacksonville
Defense is lookin great. Players win games, executive VPs of whatever don't. Fire TC, pay Jalen.
This was the much-anticipated, much-ballyhooed, oft-emotional First Email of the Game. I detected a tinge of sarcasm, because the Jaguars' defense was not in fact looking great. But you don't fire executives because players are unhappy because of a post-game conversation that took place two weeks ago.
Mr. NFL from Unfortunately Jax
Sorry, Meathead.... but it is about coaching. Most coaches would love to have this roster, and most coaches would do well with this team … but not this caveman of a coach. Cam Robinson blew it, yet Coach caveman has him out there. Please Khan, get rid of these Neanderthal coaches and their antiquated offensive and defensive philosophies. PLEASE!!!!!
How did you like the second half?
Bentley from Boulder, CO
Great O…
Good call.
