MINNEAPOLIS, MN.--A disappointed Jaguars team is heading home from Minnesota after the 26-23 overtime loss to the Vikings. It looked like the Jaguars had a comeback win for the ages when Blaine Gabbert hit. Cecil Shorts with a 39 yard touchdown pass with twenty seconds to play but the defense couldn't hold off Christian Ponder and the Vikings tied it with a 55 yard field goal as time expired.
Minnesota took the overtime kick and turned it into a game winning field goal. The new NFL rules allow for each team to get a possession if the first team with the ball kicks a field goal but the offense couldn't get it done.
"The thing you learn in the NFL is the game is never over until it's over, you gotta stay even keel because you never know what's going to happen," Gabbert said after the loss. Mike Mularkey us proud of the way his team fought back on the road but is disappointed by the loss, "nobody flinched, we had a chance there all the way up to twenty seconds left.".
Eugene Monroe will join us in the studio Tuesday night for Jaguars All Access to discuss the loss and preview next Sundays game at Everbank Field against the Houston Texans.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - The Jacksonville Jaguars lead the Minnesota Vikings 9-7 at halftime of the season opener.
The Jaguars controlled the first half on offense holding the ball for 19 minutes of the first two quarters. Blaine Gabbert connected with Marcedes Lewis for a touchdown to give the Jags a 9-0 lead. Josh Scobee's extra point was blocked.
Right before the half, Minnesota finally moved the ball on offense and Adrian Peterson found the endzone to cut the Jags lead to 9-7.
The Jaguars had 170 total yards compared to the Vikings 117 yards.
Gabbert is 9-16 with 103 yards and touchdown. Maurice Jones-Drew and Rashad Jennings have shared the workload with eight carries each.
The Jaguars do have some injury problems. Jennings hurt his knee and listed as a probable return. Cameron Bradfield, Eben Britton, and Uche Nwaneri were all banged up in the first half.
Jaguars take 3-0 1Q Lead
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - The Jacksonville Jaguars got off to a good start in 2012. They lead the Minnesota Vikings 3-0 after one quarter and have the ball.
Maurice Jones-Drew entered the game on the Jaguars second offensive play, but it was his only play in the team's 17 play, 77 yard drive that resulted in a Josh Scobee 19 yard field goal. Blaine Gabbert and the Jags converted 3 of 4 third down conversions on the drive including a pass to Justin Blackmon for the rookie's first NFL catch.
Gabbert did misfire to a wide open Blackmon on first and goal, but so far so good for the Jacksonville Jaguars
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars open the season in the cavernous Mall of America Field.
The sound system is blasting some Prince (Minnesota native) and looking around I have learned via in house advertising that South Dakota is home to the nations best pheasant hunting. Who knew?
The Jaguars have an excellent chance of starting off with a win. Both teams come into the opener with questions about their star running backs. Both Maurice Jones-Drew and the Vikings Adrian Peterson missed a majority of the preseason but at least MJD is healthy. Peterson will play but he is coming back from a serious knee injury. Rashad Jennings will start for the Jaguars. Jennings was second in the NFL in rushing in the preseason. Yes, it's only preseason but he did it against first team defenses.
The Jaguars are going with Kyle Bosworth at linebacker in place of injured Daryl Smith. Derek Cox is questionable meaning there is a 75 percent chance he will not play. William Middleton stepped in for Cox when he was injured at cornerback.
Blaine Gabbert goes into the season with the benefit of a true offseason. The second year starter is good friends with Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder, a former star at Florida State, who will try and hook up on the big play with Percy Harvin, the former Florida Gator.
We start with the Mike Mularkey show at 11 a.m., followed by The Jaguars Pregame show, and the Jaguars and Vikings at 1:00. It's all on CBS47. We have the best post game show in Jacksonville. Check us out for Action Sports 360 at 10:30 on FOX30 and 11:20 on CBS47.
