A record-setting performance by Jaguars rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. was overshadowed by one of the best showings of Jets wide receiver Davante Adams’ career on Sunday.
Despite Thomas establishing new Jaguars rookie receiving records for yards and touchdowns in the first quarter and building upon those marks throughout the contest, a nine-reception, 198-yard, two-touchdown second half by Adams lifted New York (4-10) to a 32-25 victory over Jacksonville (3-11) in Week 15.
Thomas finished with 105 yards and two touchdowns over 10 receptions, the latter two stats being single-game bests for Jacksonville’s rookie sensation. He now has 64 catches for 956 yards and eight touchdowns on the year.
But after being held without a catch in the first half, Adams exploded by hauling in all but one of his 10 second-half targets, with at least two grabs on each of the Jets’ scoring drives.
Among those catches were a one-yard touchdown reception that gave New York its first lead of the game, 17-16 in the third quarter, and a 71-yard score to make it 25-22 in the fourth quarter. Adams also converted a two-point try after his second touchdown.
Adams’ 198 yards were the second-most he has recorded in a game in his 11-season NFL career.
A fourth-quarter, 43-yard field goal by Jacksonville rookie kicker Cam Little created a 25-25 tie with 1:56 left in regulation.
It was more than enough time for Adams, New York quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Jets’ offense to march down the field and retake the lead. The quarterback-receiver tandem connected twice for 64 yards over the seven-play series, setting up a one-yard, go-ahead rushing touchdown by running back Breece Hall.
Jacksonville got the ball back with 1:05 on the clock but could not find similar success to New York offensively.
Over five plays beginning 70 yards away from the goal line, Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones completed three passes for 23 yards, tossed a deep incompletion, and was ultimately intercepted by Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner on his final throw of the game, a deep pass to Jacksonville wide receiver Parker Washington.
The pick muddied what was quarterback Mac Jones’ best performance in place of injured starter Trevor Lawrence this season. Jones completed 31-of-47 passes for 294 yards, the seventh-most in a game in his career, with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
The Jaguars will travel to Las Vegas to face the Raiders in Week 16, at 4:25 p.m. ET next Sunday.
