Blake Bortles struggles as Jaguars drop opener to Panthers
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- New season. New offense. New hope.
Same old result for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Jaguars spent months raving about quarterback Blake Bortles, an improved offensive line and more experienced receivers. The talk energized the fan base and convinced outsiders things might be different in Jacksonville after just nine wins in the last 48 games.
All that optimism came to abrupt end in the season opener, a 20-9 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
The Jaguars managed 265 yards, including just 75 in the second half against a defense playing without two key starters. Defensive tackle Star Lotulelei (foot) missed the game, and star linebacker Luke Kuechly sustained a concussion in the final minute of the first half and did not return.
"We had multiple things where we just shot ourselves in the foot," Bortles said. "It's fixable stuff. It's not the way you want to come out and start the season. We're not going to sugarcoat it. It wasn't good enough and we've got to be better."
It was a sloppy game all around for the Jaguars, who lost their fourth consecutive opener and seventh in nine years.
Allen Hurns, Allen Robinson and rookie Rashad Greene dropped passes. Hurns also fumbled. Rookie kicker Jason Myers missed a 44-yard field goal and an extra point.
The Jaguars were 3-of-12 on third-down conversions, with new coordinator Greg Olson calling the shots. And Bortles was off most of the afternoon. He finished 22 of 40 for 183 yards, with a touchdown, two interceptions and five sacks. His first interception ended with the fifth pick-six in his 14 career starts.
"I think it's a good learning opportunity," Bortles said. "Obviously struggled. Started slow. Had some missed opportunities, had a lot of self-inflicted errors. ... It's good stuff to learn from. We'll have to learn from it and move on quickly."
Jacksonville played without two playmakers -- tight end Julius Thomas (hand) and receiver Marqise Lee (hamstring) -- and ended up with another starter and the team's leading receiver on the sideline. Left tackle Luke Joeckel sprained his left ankle late in the first half, tried to play through the injury and ended up wearing a walking boot and using crutches after the game. Greene caught a team-high seven passes for 28 yards and a touchdown but sustained a concussion late.
The Jaguars were more concerned with missed opportunities, having to settle for a 22-yard field goal in the first quarter and then watching Hurns fumble away another red-zone drive in the second.
"It was super frustrating just not being able to finish when we got down there in the red zone," veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis said. "I feel like we would take turns breaking down. When we get those opportunities in the red zone, we have to capitalize. Defense played their butts off. We've got to meet them halfway."
The defense was solid, holding the Panthers to 263 yards and one offensive touchdown.
But the offense didn't do its part -- once again. It was a similar formula that led to Jacksonville's 3-13 record last season.
"The defense played unbelievably again, like they did a lot last year," Bortles said. "We have got to help them out. They played good enough, and we just have to put more points on the board. The guys have to continue to want to make plays and want the ball in their hands on third down and stuff like that and stay on the field to keep the drives going."
