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What to Expect in Week 1: Buccaneers vs. 49ers

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers face the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, September 8, 2019. Image: 49erswebzone.com.

TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – The 100th NFL season home opener is finally in view. Kicking off this Sunday at 4:25pm in Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers welcome the 49ers into Raymond James Stadium. There is much anticipation surrounding this game, starting with Tampa’s legendary safety, John Lynch, being San Francisco’s general manager.

As roster confidence goes, the 49ers have more consistency on both sides of the ball. Defensively San Francisco has one of the strongest front seven in the league involving Nick Bosa, Dee Ford, Arik Armstead, Deforest Buckner and Solomon Thomas.

Conversely, the Buccaneers suffered defensively last year, being named one of the worst defenses, primarily due to a lot of injuries taking place early in the season. That said, the Bucs also lost two of their top defensive players, Gerald McCoy and Kwon Alexander. As worried as many fans initially were, the new and young Bucs defense has proven to be quite reliable this preseason, especially in the red zone and 3rd down. Tampa Bay’s secondary has solid match up capabilities utilizing their speed and quick vision on the field. The excitement for the Bucs newest defense leader, Ndamukong Suh, has been up in the air, but regardless of previous judgement of Suh, he has proven to be a very dominant defensive player with much strength and versatility for his frame. Suh can offer a lot on the Bucs defense, as he played many different positions for the Rams last season.

On the offensive side of the ball, there are still many questions regarding Jameis Winston and what he’ll learn and apply from new head coach Bruce Arians. Winston mentioned in press conferences that he has plays where he needs to get out of the pocket faster, but most of Winston’s trapped moments come from lack of pass protection. Blaine Gabbert does offer more mobility at quarterback, but he’s still questionable after a shoulder injury versus the Browns in preseason. In this game, we’ll finally gauge a better idea of the run game the Bucs are looking to establish, but it’s safe to say many eyes will be on Barber, granted the offensive line does its job. A positive note for Tampa Bay’s offensive is the strength they have in Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, OJ Howard, and now potentially preseason stand out tight end Tanner Hudson. The Bucs aren’t short on offensive weapons, but the ball needs to make it to them.

As for the 49ers, Jimmy Garoppolo is healthy, but getting back into the groove of things after surgically repairing his knee last season. San Francisco has a reliable run game in Tevin Coleman and Matt Breida and aren’t short on offensive weapons themselves in George Kittle, Marquise Goodwin and Trent Taylor.

This should be a neck and neck game, nothing short of entertaining with much talent on both teams. Winston carries more experience between the two quarterbacks, which can play in favorably, but Garoppolo has showed strong strides in his healthy playing time. More importantly, this will be a great kickoff game to the 100th NFL season!

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Kasey Hudson is a Florida National News sports analyst. | social@floridanationalnews.com

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Jacksonville

Jaguars Shutout Panthers Without QB Lawrence

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Photo credit: Mike Brodsky (Florida National News)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7) shutout the Carolina Panthers (2-14) 26-0 in their final home game at EverBank Stadium today. The Jaguars had lost four games in a row prior to today’s victory. But with today’s win, the Jaguars secured their second consecutive winning season for the first time since 2004-05. QB Trevor Lawrence missed his first NFL game after starting 51 in a row before today, because of a sprained throwing shoulder. Lawrence left early in three of his last four games with injuries. C.J Beathard made his first start at quarterback in three years.

QB C.J. Beathard. Photo credit: Mike Brodsky (Florida National News)

Beathard looked comfortable leading the Jaguars downfield on the first drive of the game, which ended in a 35 yard K Brandon McManus field goal to put the Jags up 3-0, which remained the score of the end of the first quarter.

Midway through the second quarter, McManus added a 26 yard field goal, extending the Jags lead to 6-0. Soon after, LB Josh Allen sacked Panthers QB Bryce Young to tie Calais Campbell for the Jaguars’ franchise single season record of 14.5 sacks. Late in the second quarter, McManus kicked a 24 yard field goal, to put the Jags ahead 9-0. Shortly afterwards, Allen added another sack of Bryce Young, to claim sole possession of the team record at 15.5 sacks. The Jaguars defense continued to hold the Panthers scoreless, limiting the team to 34 yards in total for the first two quarters, as the score remained 9-0 at halftime.

LB Josh Allen sets Jags’ single season sacks record. Photo credit: Mike Brodsky (Florida National News)

In the third quarter, RB Travis Etienne Jr. ran for a 62 yard touchdown, his tenth of the year. McManus added the extra point, as the Jags led 16-0. Beathard had an impressive 19 yard run midway through the third, but was taken out of the game by officials because he looked a little wobbly getting up, and went to the medical tent for evaluation. 33 year old QB Matt Barkley, who was signed earlier this week, warmed up for the Jaguars. Panthers LB Marquis Haynes Sr., who tackled Beathard, was badly injured on the play, and had to be taken off the field on a golf cart. Barkley led the Jaguars for one play, but Beathard was able to return to the field on the next down. That drive ended with a 34 yard McManus field goal, extending the lead to 19-0, which remained the score at the end of the third quarter.

Early in the fourth quarter, Allen added his third sack of the game, taking down Young, and extending his single season record to 16.5 sacks. Etienne added a one yard run for a touchdown on a play that was initially called a fumble, but was reversed on review and ruled a TD. With the XP from McManus, the Jaguars were up 26-0. Jaguars rookie S Antonio Johnson had an impressive interception of a Bryce Young pass late in the game. On the next drive, the Jaguars put in QB Matt Barkley to finish the game, and avoid any risk to C.J. Beathard’s health.

C.J. Beathard finished with 178 yards. Travis Etienne Jr. led the Jaguars’ rushing with 102 yards and 2 touchdowns. Evan Engram was the leading receiver with 60 yards.

The Jaguars head to Tennessee to face the Titans on Sunday, 1/7, for their final game of the regular season. Kickoff time has not yet been scheduled. The Jaguars are trying to make the playoffs in consecutive years for the first time since 1998-99. A victory against the Titans will give the Jaguars the AFC South division title. Be sure to follow www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.

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Jacksonville

Ravens Soar To Victory Over Jaguars 23-7

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Photo credit: Mike Brodsky (Florida National News)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Baltimore Ravens (11-3) beat the Jacksonville Jaguars (8-6) 23-7 to remain at the top of the AFC. With tonight’s loss, the Jags are now tied for first in the AFC South with the Colts and the Texans. This was the Jaguars’ first Sunday Night Football game in 15 years. The Jags’ last SNF game was 10/5/2008 when they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 26-21.

The Ravens were the first to score on a 43 yard K Justin Tucker field goal. The Jaguars had a chance to tie it up on the next drive, but K Brandon McManus hit the right upright on a 50 yard field goal attempt. The score remained 3-0 at the end of the first quarter.

McManus had an opportunity to redeem himself, but missed a 55 yard field goal wide left on the Jags’ first drive of the second quarter. Late in the second, Ravens’ QB Lamar Jackson completed a 16 yard touchdown pass to TE Isaiah Likely, followed by Tucker’s extra point, to put the Ravens ahead 10-0. The Jaguars came close to scoring, but ran out of time at the half.

Midway through the third quarter, the Jaguars put their first points on the board on a 65 yard QB Trevor Lawrence to WR Jamal Agnew touchdown pass, followed by MacManus’ extra point. The score remained 10-7 at the end of the third quarter.

The Ravens started the fourth quarter with a one yard RB Gus Edwards touchdown run, while Tucker added the XP. Tucker kicked a 26 yard field goal, and later a 34 yarder to put the Ravens ahead 23-7.

Trevor Lawrence finished with 264 yards and 1 touchdown. Lawrence also led the Jaguars’ rushing with 41 yards. Jamal Agnew was the leading receiver with 70 yards and 1 touchdown.

Tonight’s attendance was 68,021. The Jaguars head to Tampa Bay to face the Buccaneers on Sunday, 12/24. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. The Jaguars return to “The Bank” to face the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, 12/31 at 1:00 p.m. for their final home game of the regular season. Be sure to follow www.FloridaSportsChannel.com and www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.

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Jacksonville

Jaguars Mauled by Bengals 34-31 in OT

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Photo by Roman Garay / Florida National News

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (FNN) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4) lost to the Cincinnati Bengals (6-6) 34-31 in the Jags’ first Monday Night Football game in 12 years. The Jaguars created a “Light Up The Bank” light show during player introductions to hype up the crowd for this prime time game watched by a national audience, but several injuries proved to be too much for the team to overcome.

 

On the second play of the game, the Jaguars’ CB Tre Herndon left the game for concussion protocol. Just minutes later, the Jaguars’ WR Christian Kirk suffered a groin injury which kept him out of the rest of the game. Despite these injuries, the Jags were the first to score tonight, as RB Travis Etienne Jr. ran 4 yards for a touchdown, followed by the extra point from K Brandon McManus. The Bengals’ K Evan McPherson (University of Florida alum) attempted a 57 yard field goal, but hit the crossbar and missed. At the end of the first quarter, the Jaguars were ahead 7-0.

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence completed a 22 yard touchdown pass to TE Evan Engram, for his first TD of the season. Photo by Roman Garay / Florida National News

In the second quarter, the Jaguars’ FS Andre Cisco left the game with a shoulder injury. Two plays later, the Bengals’ HB Joe Mixon ran 6 yards for a touchdown, and McPherson added the extra point, tying the game 7-7. Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence later completed a 22 yard touchdown pass to TE Evan Engram, for his first TD of the season. McManus added the XP, to put the Jags ahead 14-7. Andre Cisco was able to return to the game, but Mixon scored a touchdown soon after for the Bengals, running 2 yards into the end zone, followed by McPherson’s extra point, tying the game 14-14 heading into halftime.

In the third quarter, Bengals QB Jake Browning completed a 76 yard touchdown pass to WR Ja’Marr Chase, and McPherson added the XP to put the Bengals up 21-14. The Jaguars responded with a 14 yard Lawrence to WR Parker Washington touchdown pass, and XP by McManus, tying the game 21-21. The Jaguars’ LB Josh Allen intercepted a Bengals’ WR Tyler Boyd pass intended for Joe Mixon. The Jaguars capitalized on that interception with a touchdown run by Trevor Lawrence to end that scoring drive, and with McManus’ extra point, the Jags were ahead 28-21 at the end of the third quarter.

The Bengals scored on a 1 yard Jake Browning touchdown run, and McPherson added the XP, to tie the game 28-28. Another injury followed for the Jaguars soon after, as Trevor Lawrence had to be helped off the field after what looked like a painful ankle injury that kept him out for the remainder of the game, as he was replaced with QB C.J. Beathard. McManus attempted a 48 yard field goal, which went wide to the right. Soon after, McPherson kicked a 54 yard field goal to put the Bengals ahead 31-28. The Jaguars’ next scoring drive ended with a 40 yard McManus field goal, tying the game 31-31, with just 26 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. The Bengals were unable to score before the clock ran out, and the game went into overtime.

The Jaguars won the coin toss and elected to receive. A holding call against the Jaguars reversed what could have been a 43 yard Beathard pass to WR Calvin Ridley. P Logan Cooke punted two plays later. The Bengals scoring drive ended with a 48 yard McPherson field goal, as the Bengals defeated the Jaguars 34-31.

The Jaguars’ last Monday night game was 12/5/2011 when they lost to the San Diego Chargers 38-14. The Jaguars now have an all-time record of 8-8 on Monday nights. Cincinnati is now 4-20 in road Monday Night Football games. Before tonight’s win, their last victory in a MNF road game was in 1990.

Trevor Lawrence finished with 258 yards and 2 touchdowns. Travis Etienne Jr. led the Jaguars’ rushing with 45 yards and 1 touchdown. Evan Engram was the leading receiver with 82 yards and 1 touchdown.

Tonight’s attendance was 67,951. The Jaguars head to Cleveland to face the Browns on Sunday, 12/10. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. The Jaguars return to “The Bank” to face the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night, 12/17 at 8:15 p.m. Be sure to follow www.FloridaSportsChannel.com and www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.

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