Jets hold on to defeat Jaguars after Davante Adams’ huge day in Jacksonville
Dec 15, 2024
After not experiencing a victory in over a month, Gang Green finally got back in the winner’s circle.
Sauce Gardner‘s late interception at the Jaguars’ 13-yard-line helped the Jets defeat the Jaguars 32-25.
It was the Jets (4-10) first victory since Halloween when they defeated the Texans.
The win snapped the Jets’ four-game losing streak and was Jeff Ulbrich’s second victory since becoming the team’s interim coach.
“It means everything,” Ulbrich said. “Regardless of circumstance, regardless of what is said in the outside world, this locker room is right. The connection and the culture with these guys is right.
“I know the results have not been there, but the process has been right. And maybe that’s the most frustrating thing about this circumstance. For them to come through and to have the game that they had today was so deserving. I’m so happy for that locker room.”
Following his first 300-yard game in a Jets uniform last week against Miami, Aaron Rodgers finished the first half completing 3-of-8 passes for 55 yards and one touchdown. He ended the game 16-of-30 for 289 yards and three touchdowns. Rodgers also continued to show off his mobility, leading the Jets with 45 rushing yards.
“They are all special,” Rodgers said about the win. “That’s why you play, for the love of the game and to have moments like this with your boys.
“We haven’t had a lot of success. We put together a nice drive down the field, scored, got the two-point, came back, and got a field goal.”
Davante Adams recorded the 100th touchdown reception of his career during the third quarter. He tallied nine catches for 198 yards and two touchdowns against the Jaguars (3-11). Each of Adams’ receptions came during the second half.
It was a throwback vintage game for Rodgers and Adams in the second half. The pair helped the Jets rack up 220 passing yards after halftime and cross the 30-point mark for the first time this season.
Garrett Wilson also added a touchdown and three catches.
“Today was one of those days in the second half,” Adams said. “It definitely felt very similar to the way we used to get it rolling. Being in the huddle with Aaron, it felt a lot different, obviously, with him being mobile now and not having that hammy nagging the way that it was when I first got here.
“Him being able to be on the run, teams are starting to play us like when he wasn’t and he will make you pay. He is not going to run a 4.3, 4.4, 4.5 or maybe a 4.6, but all you gotta do is do it in 10-yard spurts and he will be alright.”
After missing the Week 14 game against the Dolphins, Breece Hall (knee) returned but wasn’t much of a factor. He rushed for 30 on nine carries but registered a touchdown.
Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones — who started in place of Trevor Lawrence who was placed on injured reserve ahead of Week 14 — completed 31-of-46 passes for 294 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Entering Sunday’s game, Jones was 5-0 against the Jets all time.
Like in previous weeks, the Jets had a chance to win the game late in regulation, with 4:19 remaining. This time, they finally capitalized on their opportunity.
Four plays into the drive, Rodgers found Adams for a 71-yard touchdown reception. Rodgers went to Adams again on the two-point conversion, which gave the Jets a 25-22 lead with 3:34 left in the fourth quarter.
But the Jaguars, like the Dolphins a week ago, tied the game late in the fourth quarter. Explosive plays by Devin Duvernay and Parker Washington helped set up a 43-yard field goal by Cam Little that tied the game at 25-25 with 1:56 remaining.
The Jets and Jaguars were knotted up for less than two minutes before the Rodgers and Adams connection struck again. The two hooked up for 23- and 47-yard gains on the drive. That helped set up a one-yard touchdown run by Hall, which gave them a 32-25 lead with 1:08 left.
“It was on us to come down,” Rodgers said. “Tae makes a couple of big plays, so there’s a lot of pride in that for sure.
“If you love this game, there’s nothing like dominating. If you are a hyper-competitive person, whether you are playing growing up, in the backyard, school, AAU, flag football, capture the flag, or whatever you are doing, if you are supremely competitive, you love dominating. It was one of those good feelings.”
Entering the season, many experts believed the Jets defense was one of the best defenses in the league after finishing in the top five each of the last two seasons. However, since owner Woody Johnson fired coach Robert Saleh on Oct. 8, the Jets defense has declined. That includes last weekend against the Dolphins when they allowed the game-tying field goal and, eventually, a game-winning touchdown in the loss to the Dolphins.
Gang Green’s defense had trouble getting off the field in the first half against Jacksonville after it ran 44 offensive plays compared to 17 for the Jets. Although they entered the game ranked in the top four in total defense, the Jets defense allowed 203 yards in the first half.
Although they have been criticized, the Jets’ defense prevented the Jaguars from scoring a game-tying touchdown after Gardner’s interception at the 13-yard line sealed the victory.
“In all honesty, I’m embracing this moment right now with this team and this performance,” Ulbrich said. “It was unbelievable today, and we will take it at that.”
Each team began the game with touchdowns on their opening drives.
Due to its short passing game with Jones, Jacksonville drove the ball 70 yards in 13 plays. Jones ended the possession with a three-yard touchdown pass to rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr. to give the Jaguars an early 7-0 lead.
The Jets responded with a bit of trickery on fourth down. After it appeared they were about to punt the ball following a three-and-out, the Jets faked the punt and Ashytn Davis took the direct snap 21 yards. That eventually helped set up Rodgers’ 22-yard touchdown toss to Wilson, which tied the game at 7-7.
That marked the first time this season the Jets scored a touchdown on their opening drive.
Jacksonville retook the lead at 10-7 late in the second quarter after Little booted a 28-yard field goal. They extended their lead to 13-7 when Little made a 23-yard field goal as the clock expired for halftime.
Gang Green got the ball after halftime but was only able to manage a 43-yard field goal by Anders Carlson to cut Jacksonville’s lead to 13-10 after Rodgers was sacked on third down at the Jaguars’ 25-yard-line.
The Jaguars’ lead increased back to six points at 16-10 after Little made his third field goal of the game from 43 yards.
Late in the third quarter, the Jets took the lead for the first time. Following a 43-yard pass from Rodgers, Adams completed a one-yard touchdown catch that gave the Jets a 17-16 advantage.
Jones and the Jaguars offense retook the lead at 22-17 after a 73-year, eight-play drive that ended with Thomas’ second touchdown catch. Jacksonville went for a two-point conversion, but the attempt failed after Jones’ pass was incomplete in the back of the end zone.
After they took a seven-point lead late, the Jets held on for the victory.
Jets safety Jalen Mills, who recorded an interception in the first quarter, left Sunday’s game because of a chest injury. Backup safety Tony Adams (nose), running back Braelon Allen (back), and linebacker Jamien Sherwood (evaluated for a concussion) also exited the game, but all returned.
However, Michael Carter II did not after he left the second half with a back injury. Ulbrich didn’t have an update on any injuries following the game.
The Jets will host the Rams at MetLife Stadium in Week 16 on Dec. 22.