The only thing worst than the logistics at Everbank Stadium as they undergo renovations, is the football displayed by the Carolina Panthers in their season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Several cool storylines – brother vs brother; No. 1 vs No. 1; ex-Buccaneers offensive coordinators – but it turned into a one-sided game fairly early in the afternoon. After trading field goals on the opening drives, it was all Jacksonville from there.
The Jaguars used a 17-point second quarter to pull away amidst a 76-minute weather delay midway through the period. 10 of those 17 points came off turnovers. Panthers quarterback Bryce Young’s pass intended for Xavier Legette was tipped by Eric Murray and intercepted by Foyesade Oluokun at the Carolina 35-yard line. A few plays later quarterback Trevor Lawrence connected with Hunter Long for a 6-yard touchdown to give the Jaguars a 10-3 lead with 8:32 remaining in the first half and right before the weather delay.
Any hope that the Panthers would take advantage of the break in action to regroup began to fade quickly as Jaguars running back Travis Etienne, Jr took the handoff at his own 9-yard line and raced 71 yards on the first play of Jacksonville’s next drive. Three plays later, Brian Thomas Jr rushed off the left end for a 9-yard score to push the lead to 14 with 1:49 left in the first half. Carolina was driving, but Young fumbled on the scramble and the ball was recovered at the Jacksonville 32-yard line by Jourdan Lewis. The fumble was caused by Oluokun – had a hand in his second turnover of the quarter. A 47-yard field goal by Cam Little sent the Jaguars into the locker room with a 20-3 lead.
Carolina got the ball to start the second half, but turned the ball over on downs after getting all the way down to the 5-yard line. An acrobatic interception by Jaycee Horn was to no avail as the Panthers turned the ball on downs once again. Young and company didn’t cross the goal line until there was only 4:47 left in the game. Chuba Hubbard pulled in a 27-yard touchdown to make the score 23-10. Little tacked on one more field goal for the final points of the game. Young threw his second interception of the day and the Jaguars went into victory formation, leaving Week One with a 26-10 win.
The Panthers will look to rebound, but will have to do it on the road against the Arizona Cardinals.
