Jaguars Get Big-Time Win in London Over the Patriots
A few days ago, I mentioned that this week’s London game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and New England Patriots could be perhaps the most boring game of the 2024 NFL season with both teams possessing a 1-5 record. This game was more high-scoring than I expected it to be, and both teams proved me wrong on both ends of the field. Jacksonville vastly improved their run game from the week before and was dominant in both the run and pass game which led to a 22-point second quarter. While New England’s run game did not show out like in previous games. It was more so quarterback Drake Maye who made huge strides from the previous week. Ultimately, the Jaguars would come out on top 32-16 and would be the team improving to 2-5 instead of dropping to a rough 1-6 record.
Six and a half minutes into the first quarter, the Pats would take the first lead of the game when Maye threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to running back JaMycal Hasty. Kicker Joey Slye would knock down the extra-point attempt to give New England their 7-0 lead. Slye would extend the Patriots lead two minutes into the second quarter when he knocked down a 41-yard field goal. Soon after, Jacksonville would go on an unbelievable run scoring 25 consecutive points. With nine minutes left in the second, Trevor Lawrence threw a six-yard touchdown pass to receiver Brian Thomas Jr. with kicker Cam Little converting the extra point. Nearly six minutes later, Jags running back Tank Bigsby ran in for a one-yard touchdown with Little hitting the extra point. Jacksonville now led 14-10. With about a minute and a half remaining in the first half, Parker Washington ran it back 96 yards for a punt return touchdown, Thomas Jr. would convert the two-point conversion attempt which gave Jacksonville a 22-10 lead at the half.
With about 10 minutes left in the third quarter, Little ripped a 21-yard field goal to extend the Jaguars lead. The Patriots would finally get back on the board during the fourth quarter when Maye threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to K.J. Osborn. New England would try to convert a two-point attempt but failed. With a minute and 22 seconds left in the game, Bigsby would run four yards in the end zone for his second rushing touchdown of the game. Little would successfully hit the extra point and with that, this game was done and over as the Patriots had no chance of any comeback. Lawrence went 15 for 20 with 193 passing yards and a touchdown. Bigsby had 26 carries for 118 yards and two touchdowns while Thomas Jr. had five receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown. For the Patriots, Maye went 26 for 37 with 276 passing yards and two touchdowns. Tight end Hunter Henry had eight receptions for 92 yards while running back Rhamondre Stevenson had seven carries for just 18 yards. Next week, the Pats will take on their division rival New York Jets, while the Jags will face the Green Bay Packers.
