Jaguars survive gut punch against Chargers

There were two instances in the Jacksonville Jaguars 20-17 overtime win against the Los Angeles Chargers were it appear the team was going to end up with a loss. The Chargers went up 17-14 early in the fourth quarter and the teams traded punts until there was about three minutes left in the game. The Jaguars were able to survive a gut punch on Sunday and it’s a big step for the team going forward.

“Yeah, I think so,” Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone said after the game when asked if it means something being able to grind out a win. The Jaguars are used to winning by double-digits this season, as all of their wins prior to Sunday had come by at least two scores.

It wasn’t easy though and the Jaguars shot themselves in the foot, quite a few times, and in reality probably should have lost the game.

At near midfield with about two minutes left in the game, Blake Bortles gets picked off by Tre Boston and you think it’s all but over. The Jaguars defense wasn’t ready for it to be over though, as defensive lineman Malik Jackson blasted Austin Ekeler, forcing a fumble that suddenly appeared to be a scoop-and-score by safety Tashaun Gipson. The whistles didn’t blow and the refs let it play out and it for sure seemed like a game winning touchdown and the defense saved the day.

But it wasn’t, as it was overturned.

Either way, the Jaguars got another chance to go and win the game after a bad late turnover. Bortles then sailed a pass on third and long that was intercepted by Tre Boston and it seemed all but over for the Jaguars, with maybe a chance at a late desperation drive. The defense quickly forced the Chargers to a quick three and out, and thanks to a dumb Joey Bosa personal foul, found themselves in field goal range to tie the game and send it to overtime.

Overtime for the Jaguars offense didn’t go much better, as the team gained just 24 yards on eight plays and ended up punting to the Chargers. Once again though, the Jaguars defense refused to lose and would drag the Jaguars offense to a win, when A.J. Bouye made an incredible play to take the ball away from Travis Benjamin and then returned the ball to the two-yard line.

Josh Lambo lined up and drilled the kick enough to make it through being partially blocked for the win against his former team and to give Gus Bradley that familiar losing feeling at EverBank Field.

Jaguars teams of old do what the Chargers did on Sunday, which is find a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. These Jaguars are different, though. These Jaguars can take a gut punch and come back with a powerful uppercut and knock you out.