Counting Down the Top 5 Individual Performances in Jaguars' History

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By Jordan de Lugo

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5.  QB Blake Bortles / Jaguars @ Titans Dec. 6, 2015 
It was week 13 of the 2015 season and the Jaguars were fighting to stay alive in the race for the AFC Division Title. Coming off a heartbreaking home loss to the abysmal 2-7 Chargers, the Jags desperately needed a win against their long time division rival, the Titans. To retell the entire story of this game would be far too painful. Despite Blake’s heroic 5 Touchdown pass performance, the Jaguars were not able to overcome a myriad of mistakes including a missed extra point, a botched snap, and an 87 yard Marcus Mariota TD scamper late in the game. Bortles 5 touchdown passes, 0 interceptions and 302 passing yards made for by far the greatest performance by a Jaguars’ QB in team history, but the failures of those around him were just too much to overcome for the second year signal caller. If Bortles was able to pull out a victory in this one, his performance might be higher on the list.

4. RB James Stewart / Eagles @ Jaguars Oct. 12, 1997
The Jaguars were 4-1 heading into their matchup with the 2-3 Eagles. The Jaguars were coming off of their first playoff appearance in team history and were off to a red hot start in 1997.  Surely, many Jaguars fans expected the team to win that day, but you would be hard pressed to find anyone who expected James Stewart to score 5 touchdowns and rush for 102 yards on the day. Stewart scored 3 of his touchdowns in the first quarter propelling the Jaguars to a 21-0 lead that would never be relinquished. In the second half Stewart scored twice more, one touchdown in each quarter. Stewart had a truly remarkable day, by far the most awe inspiring individual performance to that point in the Jaguars short existence. His 5 rushing TDs is tied for an NFL record that still stands today. Stewarts record breaking performance took place nearly 20 years ago and is long forgotten by many, but this was truly one the greatest performances in team history and needs be remembered as such in Jaguars lore.

​3. CB Rashean Mathis / Jaguars @ Steelers Jan. 5, 2008
Rashean stakes his claim as the first and only defender to make the list. The Jaguars played spoiler in the 2007 AFC Wild Card Round against the Steelers, despite beating the Steelers at Heinz field earlier in the season, and possessing a better record. Rashean Mathis played a key role in the Jaguars 31-29 victory over the Steelers, a victory that sent the Jaguars to the Divisional Round of the playoffs and established them as the first team to ever beat the Steelers twice in Pittsburgh in the same season. Mathis recorded 2 interceptions in the game, returning one of them for a 63 yard pick six, a play that defined the outcome of the game. The Jaguars had a big 28-10 lead heading into the fourth quarter, but the Steelers came roaring back and had the Jaguars on the ropes late in the game. Had it not been for Mathis’ 2 interceptions and one defensive touchdown, the Jaguars would have likely been sent home on that cold January day. This performance ranks so high because it was a tremendous game changing effort on such a big stage. 

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2. WR Jimmy Smith / Jaguars @ Ravens Sep.10, 2000
In 2000 the Jags were coming off of the best season in team history and had the loftiest of expectations. Heading into week two of the 2000 season, the Jaguars were coming off an impressive 27-7 thrashing of the Browns and were looking to start off 2-0. The second game of a two game road trip to start the season landed the Jaguars in Baltimore. The Ravens were known for their tough defense and running game and were primed to compete for a playoff spot, little did they know they would later be crowned Super Bowl Champions. The stage was set for a great divisional matchup between the Jaguars and the Ravens. The Jaguars jumped out to a 23-7 first half lead and were sitting pretty, but the Ravens stormed back, outscoring the Jaguars 32-13 in the second half to win by three. The game was certainly and exciting one for the eventual Super Bowl Champs, and a heart breaking week two loss for the Jags, but what is lost in all of this is the monumental performance that was put on by the Jaguars legend Jimmy Smith. Smith scored 3 TDs in the game, all of which came off receptions of over 40 yards. In addition to scoring an impressive 3 TDs, Smith recorded 291 yards on 15 catches, averaging 19.4 yards per catch. Smith’s 291 yards is the sixth most receiving yards in a single game in NFL history. The monumental performance by Smith was overshadowed by the Jaguars loss, but it shouldn't be. The dominance that Jimmy displayed on that day was truly astounding and he did it against one of the greatest defenses of all time.

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1. RB Fred Taylor / Jaguars @ Steelers Nov. 19, 2000
The Jaguars were off to a disappointing 3-7 start to the 2000 season. They were headed to Pittsburgh and desperately searching for a spark, and boy did they find one. Fred Taylor had the most impressive rushing performance is Jaguars history. Freddy T rushed for a dominant 234 yards and found the end zone 4 times on the day. Taylor rushed the ball 30 times that day averaging over 7.8 yards per carry. He vaulted the Jaguars to a 34-24 victory over the Steelers, a victory that would propel the Jaguars on 4 game win streak to bring their record to .500 at 7-7. Unfortunately for the Jags they lost their final two match ups of the season and were eliminated from playoff contention. But not lost is the fact that the Jags had two of the most dominant individual performances of all time that season. Jimmy may have had a more historic day than did Taylor, but Taylor fueled the Jags to a victory that would send them on a four game winning streak. In terms of rushing yards Freddy T’s performance ranks in the top 25 in NFL history — combine that with his 4 TD explosion and you have yourself a legendary game.

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