The Jacksonville Jaguars survived the New York Giants, 20-15, in Week 1 in large part due to Myles Jack’s pick-six.
Once again, the Jacksonville Jaguars defense was the difference as they started out the 2018 season with a win. Myles Jack returned a tipped pass for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Jack’s play proved to be the game-winner in the 20-15 victory over the New York Giants.
Jacksonville employed the bend but not break defensive philosophy throughout much of the game. The kept the Giants receivers in check with short passes. Penalties by the Jaguars defense kept several New York drives alive. Jacksonville committed 11 penalties for 119 yards. Four of those penalties moved the chains for New York. Doug Marrone will definitely address those breakdowns in the Jaguars performance.
The Jaguars scored on a Blake Bortles to T.J. Yeldon pass to lead 13-3. Defensively, the Jaguars forced the Giants into field goals to lead 13-9. Then lightning struck, just like in 2017. Throughout the game, Jacksonville was able to get pressure on Eli Manning. The Giants quarterback threw 37 passes and completed 23 for 224 yards. His only turnover was the game-winner for the Jags.
Jacksonville sacked Manning twice, but forced him to throw earlier than he wanted at times. The pressure played a big role in that pick-six by Jack. Perhaps Yannick Ngakoue and Abry Jones should get assists on that play.
There was 11:36 left in the fourth quarter with New York looking at second-and-7 from the Giants 29-yard line. Manning lined up in the shotgun when the Jaguars hit pay dirt. Ngakoue rushed Manning from his right side. The rushed pass was tipped by Jones into the hands of Jack. He ran untouched into the end zone which pushed the Jaguars lead to 20-9.
Saquon Barkley added a long 68-yard touchdown run. The Giants decided to go for the two-point conversion to possible narrow the Jacksonville lead to three points. Jacksonville stuffed the run and maintain the lead by five points.
This Jaguars defense is the Teal Deal. In fact, offense scores points, but how great is it to have a defense that scores too.