GAME BALL
After a disappointing effort last week in a loss to Tennessee, Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles responded by completing 29 of 38 passes for a career-high 388 yards with two touchdowns and one interception during a 31-12 win over the New York Jets. Bortles’ 114.8 quarterback rating was his highest this season.
X’S AND O’S
With the Jets facing third-and-12 from their 49-yard line during the second quarter, the Jaguars dialed up a stunt for defensive tackle Malik Jackson. As Jackson hesitated, Jets center Spencer Long tried to double team defensive lineman Calais Campbell. That cleared a path for Jackson, who curled inside around Campbell and sacked Jets quarterback Sam Darnold for a loss of 9. The sack was Jackson’s first this season.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
11
Bortles completed a career-best 11 passes to begin Sunday’s game. Bortles was perfect on the Jaguars’ first two series before finally throwing an incompletion to begin the third. He finished the first half 16-of-19 passing for 216 yards and one touchdown.
WELL PLAYED
Bortles’ strong first half likely would have included one blemish had it not been for left guard Andrew Norwell. On second-and-5 late in the second quarter, Bortles had a pass deflected by defensive end Henry Anderson. The fluttering pass probably would have been intercepted, but Norwell located it and swatted it to the turf. Two plays later, the Jaguars went up 16-0 on Josh Lambo’s 54-yard field goal.
HUH?
Did the Jets forget that Jaguars receiver Dede Westbrook was on the field during the first half? Westbrook had six catches (on six targets) for 89 yards in the opening half, consistently running wide open over the middle of the field. Poor communication appeared to hamper the Jets early on. Westbrook finished with nine catches for a career-high 130 yards.
NEXT OPPONENT
Kansas City Chiefs (3-0), 1 p.m., Sunday, Arrowhead Stadium
Kansas City plays at Denver on Monday night and will have a short week to prepare for the Jaguars. The Chiefs entered Week 4 with the NFL’s best offense, averaging 39.3 points per game. In his first year as a starter, dynamic second-year quarterback Patrick Mahomes has thrown 13 touchdowns with no interceptions. The Chiefs also feature tailback Kareem Hunt, tight end Travis Kelce and receivers Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins. Their defense is less impressive, allowing 30.7 points per game.
QUOTEBOOK
“Of course we would like to be 4-0, but we’re in a good position right now. I believe we’re in a good position.” — Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey
QUICK RECAP: TOP FIVE MOMENTS FROM SUNDAY
1. Possibly the easiest 31-yard touchdown pass of the season as the Jets lose track of tailback T.J. Yeldon, who comes out of the backfield to catch a short pass and run for a touchdown. Yeldon’s score gave the Jaguars a 13-0 lead during the second quarter.
2. Facing fourth-and-1 from the Jaguars’ 49 late in the second quarter, the Jets opt to keep their offense on the field rather than punt. Receiver Quincy Enunwa got behind the Jaguars’ defense, but Darnold’s pass was a bit overthrown, and Enunwa could not keep control of it as he went to the ground.
3. Jets running back Isaiah Crowell cannot get out of the end zone and is tackled for a safety. After Logan Cooke’s punt pinned the Jets at their 2, Crowell was tackled by Campbell and defensive tackle Marcell Dareus before he could escape his end zone on first-and-10. That gave the Jaguars an 18-0 lead early in the third quarter.
4. Jaguars receiver Donte Moncrief burns cornerback Trumaine Johnson on a go route during the third quarter and catches a 67-yard touchdown. Bortles hit Moncrief in stride down the right sideline, and he turned on the jets for his longest catch with the Jaguars.
5. Leading 25-6 in the fourth quarter, Jaguars tailback T.J. Yeldon is stripped by linebacker Avery Williamson. One of three second-half turnovers by the Jaguars resulted in the Jets’ lone touchdown.
