The Jacksonville Jaguars must have been
in a hurry to end their two-game losing streak.
The Jaguars scored touchdowns on four of their first five
possessions, quickly rebounding from consecutive losses and beating
the New York Jets 41-0 on Sunday.
Maurice Drew ran for two touchdowns, Fred Taylor added another
and Byron Leftwich capped the fast start with a 1-yard TD pass to
George Wrighster.
The Jets (2-3) provided plenty of help along the way.
Chad Pennington threw two interceptions that Jacksonville (3-2)
turned into touchdowns, Ben Graham had a punt blocked that resulted
in a score and two questionable roughing the passer penalties made
it even worse.
The result was exactly what the Jaguars wanted after losses at
Indianapolis and Washington. The offence, almost nonexistent in the
second half against the Colts, came up with several big plays
against New York's woeful defence. Jacksonville's defence,
embarrassed after giving up 481 yards and 36 points to the Redskins,
clamped down on Pennington & Co.
Pennington finished 10-of-17 for 71 yards. He was picked off
three times and sacked three times. His friend and former college
teammate fared much better in their third meeting. Leftwich was
9-of-20 for 140 yards and two touchdowns.
Leftwich had the better supporting cast, too. Taylor ran 21 times
for 111 yards, and Drew added 59 yards.
Jacksonville also won despite resting receiver Matt Jones (ankle)
and defensive linemen Marcus Stroud (ankle/groin) and Marcellus
Wiley (groin).
The only negative for the Jags was that linebacker Mike Peterson,
the team's leading tackler the last four seasons, sprained his left
shoulder in the first half and did not return.
He was hardly missed.
Brian Williams intercepted Pennington's second pass of the game.
Pennington rolled right and threw behind Laveranues Coles, who
reached back with his right hand and tipped the ball to Williams.
Taylor gained 37 yards on the next two plays, setting up Drew's
6-yard scoring run.
After a three-and-out by the Jets, Jacksonville needed just six
plays to extend the lead. Taylor's 13-yard run up the middle gave
the Jaguars 121 yards on 10 plays and a two-touchdown advantage.
But the rout was just getting started.
Gerald Sensabaugh blocked a punt early in the second quarter and
the Jaguars recovered at the 8-yard line. Three plays later, Drew
scored from 4 yards out to make it 21-0.
Pennington's next pass was intercepted by Terry Cousin, and
Leftwich made the most of a short field. He found Wrighster in the
left corner of the end zone to make it 28-0.
The Jags may have been forced to attempt a field goal after
Leftwich's third-down pass fell incomplete. But Jonathan Vilma was
flagged for slamming Leftwich to the ground.
Leftwich was knocked down again a few minutes later, this time by
Eric Barton. The Jets linebacker was penalized for a
helmet-to-helmet hit, but replays showed little _ if any _ contact.
The Jaguars sealed the victory with a field goal and a touchdown
on their first two possessions of the second half. Josh Scobee made
a 43-yarder, then Leftwich found Reggie Williams across the middle
for a 16-yard score _ three plays after Pennington was intercepted
for the third time.
© The Canadian Press, 2007