The Jacksonville Jaguars scored just three points in the first half to fall behind by double-digits at halftime. Then the Jaguars scored the first 19 points of the second half to take a 22-14 lead over the Washington Commanders.
But back-to-back touchdowns for the Commanders erased that lead and the Jaguars lost a Week 1 matchup, 28-22.
Here’s how it all went down in Jacksonville’s season opening loss:
Jaguars MVP of the game: Christian Kirk
Jacksonville wanted explosive plays this season and they seem to have got what they paid for with Kirk. He caught a 25-yard pass on the opening drive of the game, and hauled in a huge 49-yard bomb from Trevor Lawrence in the second half to jolt the Jaguars offense back to life.
Other players like Travon Walker, Tyson Campbell, and James Robinson could’ve been called the player of the game for the Jaguars, but Kirk’s contributions swung the momentum significantly.
Commanders MVP of the game: Carson Wentz
Wentz had two bad mistakes in the second half that gave the Jaguars life, but the Washington quarterback still completed 27 of his 41 passes, and finished with 313 passing yards and four touchdowns.
It wasn’t always pretty, but he did enough to lead the Commanders back from an eight-point deficit late for the win.
Jaguars play of the game: Travon Walker’s fourth quarter interception
This man @44Ytw is a problem.#JAXvsWAS on FOX pic.twitter.com/xPEGqEe8Nk
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) September 11, 2022
The Jaguars drafted Walker to rack up sacks, but the interception to turn a 15-14 lead into a 22-14 lead in the fourth quarter was a game changer.
It was over when: Lawrence was intercepted with 1:10 left.
The Jaguars needed a touchdown in the final two minutes to take back the lead and drove close to midfield before Lawrence tried to do way too much and lobbed a duck into traffic that was picked off by Darrick Forrest.
D-FOOOOOOOOOOOOEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
📺 FOX #HTTC pic.twitter.com/shXtY85K8u
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) September 11, 2022
Stat that says it all: Three trips to the red zone in the first half resulted in three points.
The Jaguars settled for a field goal after Lawrence missed Etienne on a wide-open pass, later missed a chip shot field goal, and then turned the ball over on downs when Etienne dropped a fourth down pass near the goal line.
Those wasted chances led to a big hole at halftime.
Up next: A divisional matchup against the Matt Ryan-led Indianapolis Colts, who started their season Sunday by getting thumped by the Houston Texans for most of the game before scoring 17 unanswered to force overtime.
The Colts and Texans eventually tied, so the Jaguars will face an 0-0-1 Indianapolis team in Jacksonville next week.
