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Packers at Jaguars: 3 things we learned

By Russell S. Baxter

Sep 11, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws a touchdown pass to wide receiver Davante Adams (not pictured) against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second quarter at Everbank Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Wood/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK
Sep 11, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws a touchdown pass to wide receiver Davante Adams (not pictured) against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second quarter at Everbank Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Wood/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK /
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The Green Bay Packers and Jacksonville Jaguars gave us quite the show on Sunday. Here are three takeaways from that contest.

We knew it had the potential to be exciting and it was that. The Green Bay Packers held on for dear life in hot Jacksonville, securing a 27-23 victory.

Led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers and a defense that came up big when it had to, Mike McCarthy’s team survived on the road against a very hungry squad.

It proved to be a disheartening loss for the Jaguars, who were unexpectedly without running back Chris Ivory on Sunday – a later scratch. And the Packers did more than an adequate job keeping the pressure on quarterback Blake Bortles.

What did we find out about both clubs on Sunday? Let’s give it a shot.

1. Green Bay’s defense was effective and physical

Green Bay allowed 348 total yards and kept giving Jacksonville extra chances late in the game after failing to stop them on numerous fourth-down opportunities. Eventually they managed to corral Jaguars wide receiver Allen Hurns to secure the victory on (what else) fourth down.

What was impressive was how this unit performed overall, limiting Gus Bradley’s team to 48 yards on the ground on 26 carries (1.8 average). And while Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles did throw for 320 yards, he was picked off once, sacked three times and watched his talented wideout tandem of Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns to a combined 10 catches for 147 yards and no trips to the end zone.

Credit the Green Bay secondary, led by cornerback Damarious Randall and free safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, for setting the tone.

2. The Packers look balanced on offense again

Mike McCarthy’s club ran 60 offensive plays and gained only 294 yards. But there were 25 rushing attempts and 35 pass plays, a nice mix that kept Jacksonville’s new-look defense on their heels just enough. The Packers were also a perfect 50 percent on third-down conversions (7-of-14).

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for only 199 yards but connected with eight different pass-catchers, including wideouts Jordy Nelson and Davante Adams for scores. He also scampered out of the pocket four times for 16 yards and a touchdown.

It wasn’t an overly productive afternoon for the Pack attack. But they played turnover-free football and Rodgers was sacked only once all afternoon. Call it quietly effective.

3. The Jaguars are still learning how to win

That would be an understatement. With Sunday’s home loss to the Packers, this is a franchise that now owns a 19-62 record in its last 81 games dating back to 20111 – the worst mark in the league over that span.

The team has amassed its share of young talent through free agency and the draft the last three years. But acquiring the players and getting them all on the same page is two different stories. The Jaguars are surely getting there but it will be interesting to see how much patience will continue to be exercised.

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For a change, there are certainly some expectations for this club. The team hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2007 and hasn’t won more than five games in a season since finishing 8-8 in 2010. And while they played the perennial playoff-bound Packers down to the wire, this is a club out of moral victories.

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