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Jaguars vs. Bears 2014 final score: Blake Bortles, Chad Henne perform well in 20-19 loss

Both Bortles and Henne performed well against the Chicago Bears defense, before a Jordan Palmer-led rally cost the Jaguars the game.

Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Blake Bortles impressed in his preseason debut against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week and he kept that momentum going on Thursday night, helping to lead the Jaguars to a 19-7 lead against the Chicago Bears before a late rally cost Jacksonville the game. While the rookie garnered most of the attention with his 11-of-17 night for 160 yards including multiple very impressive, Vine-worthy throws, it's hard to say he greatly outperformed Chad Henne.

The incumbent starter didn't set the world on fire or drop in the tight throws that Bortles did; however, he completed 12-of-17 passes for 130 yards, including a 6-yard touchdown pass to Marqise Lee, and efficiently led the Jaguars down the field against the Bears.

Still, if we're comparing, Bortles had the better night of the two and made more tough throws, albeit against second-team defenders.

As for the rest of the offense, it was an up-and-down night where rhythm seemingly came and went at random. The offensive line kept the quarterbacks clean for the most part, but especially struggled on stretch running plays. Where the depth chart stands moving forward will also be affected by injuries suffered by Austin Pasztor and Luke Bowanko, depending on the severity of the two.

Defensively, the defensive line's hair wasn't on fire quite like it was against the Buccaneers, but the Bears still struggled to find much of a rhythm scoring one touchdown in the second quarter with the starters.

The pass rush struggled to get home, especially from the left side where Bears offensive tackle Jermon Bushrod handled everything except spin moves from Chris Clemons.

Regardless, the defense made enough plays to keep the Chicago offense at bay...that is, until third-string Bears quarterback (and former Jaguar) Jordan Palmer led the Bears on back-to-back touchdown drives in the fourth quarter.

The Jaguars will next travel to face the Detroit Lions on Friday, August 22 at 7:30 p.m. ET.