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We’re counting down to the 2020 NFL preseason opener what would have been the Jacksonville Jaguars preseason opener by ranking all 51 regular season wins over the past decade.
Today at No. 11? Winning against the Miami Dolphins back in 2018. Cody Kessler starts. Blake Bortles comes in in relief. “I’m back, boys.” Awful.
Week 16 — December 23, 2018
Despite their best efforts to tank the season, the Jaguars managed to pull victory from the jaws of defeat, and see the guy they benched at quarterback spur them on to do it in a 17-7 win.
After both teams exchanged opening touchdowns, including Leonard Fournette pounding it for much of the two teams’ first possession, the game was a stalemate as the offensive ineptitude of both sides was on full display including a sequence to end the half that led to a Kai Forbath field goal attempt go squarely into the ass of a Jaguars lineman and a possession started inside the red zone for the Jaguars, ending up with them punting at midfield.
Cody Kessler was replaced twice, once due to injury then a second time due to inefficiency, as the team finally appeared to say “to hell with it” and turn to former starter Blake Bortles to try and spark anything to break the stalemate. Unlike much of the season, this time Bortles and the team responded.
Jaguars WR Dede Westbrook on what QB Blake Bortles said when he entered the huddle to replace Cody Kessler: "Let’s go boys. I’m back."
— Michael DiRocco (@ESPNdirocco) December 23, 2018
The offense used Bortles’ legs and a combination of Leonard Fournette, Dede Westbrook, and Carlos Hyde to maneuver into field goal range, and allow the Jaguars a 10-7 lead midway through the fourth quarter. On the following possession, Telvin Smith thought to have been missing at sea since September, came up with a rare pick-six for the Jaguars defense to cap the game and a strong performance by the Jaguars defense. The Dolphins were held to 201 total yards on the day.
Why the ranking at No. 11?
“Let’s go, boys. I’m back.”
Up tomorrow?
Gardner Minshew’s first road win of his NFL career.