News

Jaguars lose second preseason game to Bears 20-19

CHICAGO — Never has a loss felt so good for a football franchise. Yes the Jags lost 20-19 to Chicago last night in the windy city, but they led the game 19-7 when the first and second stringers left the game.  Jacksonville is now (1-1) this preseason.  

During the game, the Jaguars' quarterbacks put on quite a show in the Windy City.  Chad Henne led the team on a scoring drive on the Jags first series, hitting Marcedes Lewis for a key first down. Lewis had 3 catches for 46 yards on the night. We also got to see Toby Gerhart for the first time, and he responded with a 9 yard reception and an 18 yard run up the middle. He left the game after six carries and showed what he will bring to the team.  Henne also threw a touchdown to the rookie Marqise Lee, who had 4 catches for 27 yards on the night. Henne played most of the first half and finished 12 of 17 for 130 yards.

As good as Henne was Blake Bortles might have been better, again. Bortles can throw off the run,  just check out his completion to Mike Brown near the end of the first half, but it was a sequence in the 3rd quarter that demonstrated how far the rookie has come. Facing a second and one in the no-huddle, Bortles got the play and saw a stacked line of scrimmage so he checked out of it and then threw a dart to Kerry Taylor down the sidelines. In both games combined, Bortles is now 18-28 for 277 yards.  Gus Bradley remained non-commital to giving the rookie some playing time with the first string though.

Josh Scobee kicked three field goals.  

The Jags lost right tackle Austin Pasztor to a hand injury in the first half, and rookie center Luke Bowanko left the game with a leg injury.

Next week the Jags travel to Detroit to take on the Lions before finishing up the preseason at home against Atlanta.