JAGUARS TAKE DOWN GIANTS: 5 THINGS

Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire

It wasn't pretty but the Jaguars got the job done against the Giants in week one. 

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The Jaguars outlast the Giants on a cold, rainy day at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. The final score, 20—15, was indicative of some sloppy play on both sides.

Here’s five things to remember from this one.

Jalen Ramsey vs OBJ: Score one for the WR

Ramsey and Odell Beckham Jr. lined up against each other on several instances as the Jaguars took on the Giants. Beckham one several of the matchups, but when the Giants got into or near the red zone it was Ramsey that was able to slow down one of the best receivers in football. Still, OBJ was impressive on the day and out shined King Ramsey. This likely won’t be the last time these two face off for the Jaguars and Giants, but the rematch could be years down the road.

OBJ: 1  Ramsey: 0

Leonard Fournette’s suffered a hamstring injury

Jaguars star running back Leonard Fournette suffered a hamstring injury during the second quarter of the Jaguars win and was not able to return. Prior to his injury, in less than two full quarters of play, Fournette racked up 9 carries for 41 yards (an average of 4.6 per carry), and caught 3 passes for 14 yards. He was a big reason for the Jaguars early offensive success. After he left the game the Jaguars only tallied 120 yards on the offensive side of the ball. While the hamstring injury did force Fournette out of the lineup for the remainder of week one, it remains unclear if this is the type of injury that will hold him out for multiple weeks. Hamstring injuries can be tricky, so the Jaguars would be wise not to rush Fournette back prematurely. Fournette told Josina Anderson of ESPN after the game that he could have returned but the team was being cautious. 

Myles Jack still wasn’t down

The legend lives on. Myles Jack Wasn’t Down. And this time no one (not even the refs) could stop him. With 11:24 left in the fourth quarter the Giants had the ball on their own side of the field. Jaguars led 13-9 when Abry Jones tipped a pass into the air and waiting for it was Myles Jack, who then returned the interception 32 yards for a lead-extending-score. Myles Jack Wasn’t Down. The play ended up being the game winning score. The Jaguars led 20-9 after Jack’s defensive touchdown and it was a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Jack also led the Jaguars with ten tackles and has been nominated for AFC Defensive Player of the Week.

The Jaguars run defense was stout

The Jaguars run defense, despite allowing Saquon Barkley to bust loose on a 68 yard fourth quarter touchdown run, had a fantastic day. If you exclude Barkley’s 68 yarder, he rushed the ball 17 times for just 38 yards. That’s an average of just 2.24 yards per carry. The Jaguars will obviously look to limit explosive plays in the future, especially against the Patriots in week two. But they were dominant for most of the game against an extremely talented young runner.

The Jaguars were able to overcome several big hurdles and still win.

The Jaguars had a lot go wrong against the Giants on Sunday. For starters, it was a cold day in New Jersey and the field conditions were less than ideal. That, in part, led to Blake Bortles struggling for much of the game. Then, Leonard Fournette sustained a hamstring injury in the second quarter and was forced to miss the rest of the contest. In the second half, with out their starting RB, the Jaguars offense was abysmal. The “Sacksonville” defense struggled to slow down Odell Beckham Jr for much of the game AND gave up a 68 yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Despite all this the Jaguars still won the game.

Because that’s what good teams do.

In poor conditions, with a struggling QB and no Leonard Fournette the Jaguars found a way to win.

The Jaguars are in sole possession of first place in the AFC South after week one. Their divisional rivals - the Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, and Indianapolis Colts - all fell in week one. ​