Jaguars lose 24-23 in dress rehearsal game vs. Panthers

The Jacksonville Jaguars would square off tonight against the Carolina Panthers, hoping to rid of the stink that came from their second preseason game. And maybe, somehow, find an answer at quarterback.

The Panthers would start out with the ball, and would easily drive right down the field. They would start their drive with six runs of more than 50 yards combined, and finish it with a 9-yard touchdown pass from Cam Newton to Kelvin Benjamin. Graham Gano would make the extra point, notching the score at 7-0.

The Jaguars first drive would be uninspiring. They would combine two 1-yard passes from Chad Henne, as well as a false start, and a 7-yard sack on third down to start off their performance on offense.

The next drive on defense would be better for the Jaguars, as the now Derek Anderson lead Panthers would go three and out.

The Jaguars would seem to go three and out again on their next drive. Little did we know, those tricky Jaguars had something up their sleeve. The Jaguars would run a fake punt, as the snap went directly to Corey Grant, who was able to burst for 51 yards, giving the Jaguars new life.

The Jaguars would get help on the drive, as a facemask penalty on third-and-15 bailed the Jaguars out. The Jaguars would cap the drive off with a 1-yard Chris Ivory run for touchdown. Jason Myers would make the extra point, tying the score at 7-7.

After each team had a scoreless drive, the Panthers would once again drive down the field on the Jaguars, only to be held to a field goal, as Gano would make the kick, giving the Panthers a 10-7 lead.

After another uninspiring four-play drive by the Jaguars, the Panthers would get the ball left with under two minutes to go. The Jaguars would get the boost they needed though, as Stanley Jean Baptiste would intercept Anderson on a seam route. The Jaguars would take over on their own 45-yard line after the interception.

Henne would take advantage of the opportunity, as he would complete a 37-yard pass to Allen Robinson to set the Jaguars up in field goal range.

Myers would nail the kick, as the score would be nodded at 10-10.

After uninspiring drives by both teams, and eight straight runs by the Jaguars to begin the second half, Blake Bortles would maybe close the door on him being the starting quarterback. Bortles would throw a wobbly pass in the direction of Allen Hurns, but would be picked off by Zack Sanchez. Sanchez would return the interception for 48 yards, down to the Jaguars 3-yard line.

Cameron Artis-Payne would score a quick 2 yard touchdown run, as the Panthers would take the lead once again. The Panthers would fail the two point conversion, giving the Panthers only a 16-10 lead.

With the starting offensive line still in the game, Bortles and the Jaguars offense would march down the field against the Panthers back ups, lead by a few nice throws to Shane Wynn. Bortles would complete a 4 yard pass in the right corner of the end-zone to Wynn, giving the Jaguars an opportunity to take the lead. Myers would make the extra point, giving the Jaguars a 17-16 lead.

The Panthers would respond accordingly, driving down the field with ease, as Artis-Payne would cap off the 7-play, 75-yard drive with an 8-yard touchdown. The Panthers would convert the 2-point conversion, giving them a 24-17 lead.

Bortles and the starting offensive line would remain in the game deep into the fourth quarter, as the Jaguars completed another successful drive. Johnathan Grimes would cap off a 10-play, 60-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. The Jaguars would go for a two-point conversion, but would come up short on an incompletion from Bortles to Neal Sterling. The Jaguars would still trail 24-23.

The Jaguars would have one more shot to win the game, but would turn the ball over on loss of downs, ending the game.

The Jaguars looked unprepared and not up to the level they need to be athletically. They travel to Atlanta next Thursday for the preseason finale against the Falcons.

We need a quarterback.