NFL
Brady, Buccaneers Beat the Falcons 21-15
Published
3 years agoon

TAMPA BAY, Fla. (FNN) – Brady had never lost to the Atlanta Falcons up to Sunday’s game, and he and the Buccaneers fought hard to keep that record going. Though the Bucs were without wide receivers Breshad Perriman and Julio Jones–who missed the chance to play against his old team–as well as tight end Cameron Brate and backup quarterback Kyle Trask, they made a strong start in the first half.
First Half
Both defenses were stingy all of first quarter, as both teams remained scoreless.
At 9:34 in the second quarter, the Bucs finally got on the board first after Brady’s successful nine-yard pass to Chris Godwin that put them at first and goal followed by Leonard Fournette’s one-yard run into the end zone. The score ticked to 7-0 after the extra point.
By that point in the game, the Buccaneers had clocked a total of 29 plays and 176 yards, averaging 12 minutes of possession time.
Brady and the Bucs piled on more points on the board with two field goals from by Ryan Succop–the first a 21-yard field goal and the closer a 44-yard stunner. The Falcons still remained scoreless at halftime, 13-0.
At halftime, Brady was 25 for 33 on pass completions for 256 yards.
Second Half
Brady stuck with that strategy in the third quarter, passing 40 yards to Mike Evans, who delivered it to the one-yard line. The play originally looked like a touchdown, but after the Bucs challenged the ruling on the field, it stood: Evans ended up out of bounds before making it into the end zone.
Following the ruling, Brady made a one-yard toss to Leonard Fournette, who ran it in for the Bucs’ third score.
Brady did made a successful two-point conversion play to Russell Gage, raising the score to a whopping 21-0 with 6:09 left in the third quarter.
The Falcons finally clapped back near the end of the third quarter with their own touchdown. Quarterback Marcus Mariota handed off to running back Avery Williams, who ran the ball eight yards into the end zone. After the extra point, the score gap closed to 21-7.
In the fourth quarter, the Falcons managed to shrink the Bucs’ lead to a single touchdown (or two field goals) by not only scoring a touchdown, but also nailing a two-point conversion, bringing the score to 21-15.
While the scoring ended there, Marcus Mariota and the Falcons made a noticeable comeback in the second half, netting 15 points after being scoreless in the first half.
Mariota gave this assessment postgame about the Bucs defense:
“You have to give them credit, right? They’ve caused havoc through these first few weeks. You know, they’re a great defense. At times, for us, we were just kind of getting in our own way, really. I think when we were able to come in [at] halftime – make some adjustments – guys kind of flew around and made some plays and, you know, as you get going and you get in a rhythm that’s when this offense plays well. We [have] to be able to start better and get in a rhythm earlier so that we’re not in these deep holes when we get in the fourth quarter.”
-Marcus Mariota, Atlanta falcons QB
Bucs coach Todd Bowles gave a brutally honest assessment of the Bucs’ performance.
“…I don’t think we executed in the third quarter. The first half we kept their defense on the field. Second half, our offense was going three-and-out, which kept our defense on the field. Fatigue set in for both sides, I think. It was a tough ball game, and wins are hard to come by in this league. We were playing for first place, and we were happy we could get it.”
-Tampa Bay Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles
The Buccaneers hit the road for the next two weeks, first facing the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 16, then the Carolina Panthers on October 23, with both games kicking off at 1pm ET.
_____________________________________________
Mellissa Thomas is Editor for Florida National News, part of the FNN News Network. | mellissa.thomas@floridanationalnews.com
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Jacksonville
Jaguars Topple Titans in Final Home Game of the Season
Published
4 months agoon
December 29, 2024By
Mike Brodsky
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12) beat the Tennessee Titans (3-13) 20-13 on a rainy afternoon, as Jacksonville remained under a tornado watch for much of the game. Today’s game was the team’s annual “fan appreciation game,” celebrating the fans’ support of the Jaguars all season long, and for the past 30 years.
The Jaguars’ first drive ended with a 48 yard K Cam Little field goal. But neither team managed to score during the rest of the first quarter, as the score remained 3-0.
In the second quarter, Jaguars LB Devin Lloyd intercepted a QB Mason Rudolph pass intended for RB Julius Chestnut, which excited the hometown fans. The Jags capitalized on that opportunity, as QB Mac Jones threw a 2 yard touchdown pass to WR Parker Washington, followed by Cam Little’s extra point, to extend their lead to 10-0. Little later added a 44 yard field goal, but the Titans scored their first points of the game at the end of the second quarter on K Matthew Wright’s 39 yard field goal. The Jaguars were ahead 13-3 at the half.
Midway through the third quarter, Mason Rudolph completed a 8 yard touchdown pass to TE Nick Vannett, followed by Matthew Wright’s extra point, narrowing the Jags’ lead to 13-10, which remained the score heading into the fourth.
Midway through the fourth, Mac Jones found WR Brian Thomas Jr. in the end zone for an 11 yard touchdown, followed by Little’s XP, to put them ahead 20-10. Matthew Wright’s 28 yard field goal moved the Titans within a touchdown at 20-13, just before the two-minute warning. The Titans had one final drive to score, but were stopped by the Jaguars defense.
DE Travon Walker’s sack today moved him into the top 10 in franchise history with 23.0, breaking his tie with Marcus Stroud and Bobby McCray. Brian Thomas Jr. also tied WR Randy Moss’ NFL rookie record of eight games with at least 60 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.
Mac Jones finished with 174 yards and two TDs. Travis Etienne Jr. led the Jaguars’ rushing with 49 yards. Brian Thomas Jr. was the leading receiver with 91 yards and 1 TD. Today’s attendance was 61,995.
The Jaguars head to Indianapolis to face the Colts on Sunday, 1/5. Kickoff time has not yet been announced for this final game of the season. Be sure to follow www.FloridaSportsChannel.com and www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.
Jacksonville
Jaguars Fall to the Jets 32-25
Published
4 months agoon
December 15, 2024By
Mike Brodsky
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (3-11) lost to the New York Jets (4-10) at EverBank Stadium, 32-25. This marked Mac Jones’ first loss to the Jets after winning his first five games in his career against the team.
The Jaguars scored on their first drive of the game, with a 3 yard touchdown pass from QB Mac Jones to WR Brian Thomas Jr., with K Cam Little adding the extra point. On that play, Thomas also broke the team rookie record of 865 receiving yards, previously held by WR Justin Blackmon in 2012, as well as the franchise rookie record for receiving touchdowns of six, previously held by WR Allen Hurns in 2014. The Jets responded with a scoring drive that ended with a 22 yard touchdown pass by QB Aaron Rodgers to WR Garrett Wilson, followed by K Anderson Carlson’s XP. The score remained 7-7 at the end of the first quarter.
At the end of an eleven minute scoring drive, Cam Little kicked a 28 yard field goal late in the second quarter for the Jags. Little added another 23 yard field goal as the half ended, to put the team ahead 13-7 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Jaguars DT Jeremiah Ledbetter sacked Aaron Rodgers for a loss of 14 yards, and entertained fans with a celebratory backflip. While the play prevented a Jets touchdown, Anders Carlson did manage a 43 yard field goal on the next play. The Jaguars responded with Cam Little’s 43 yard field goal soon after. But Rodgers’ 1 yard touchdown pass to WR Davante Adams tied the game, and the XP by Carlson put the Jets ahead 17-16, which was the score at the end of the third quarter.
In the fourth, Mac Jones found Brian Thomas Jr. in the end zone for a 19 yard touchdown pass. Their two point conversion attempt was incomplete, so the Jaguars pulled ahead 22-17. Anders Carlson missed a 48 yard field goal midway through the quarter. But Aaron Rodgers connected with Davante Adams for a 71 yard touchdown pass, and a two point conversion, to put the Jets ahead 25-22. But Cam Little’s 43 yard field goal tied the game at 25-25 with 1:51 remaining. But the Jets managed to score on a 1 yard touchdown run by RB Breece Hall, and the XP by Carlson. While the Jags had a chance to score, an interception ended their hopes. The final score was 32-25.
The Jaguars wore their “Prowler Throwback” jerseys in celebration of the team’s 30th season. The team debuted the ‘90s-inspired alternate uniform in week 5, when they beat the Colts 37-34.
Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence is out for the remainder of the season, as he continues to recover from the concussion he suffered in week 13 by Texans’ LB Azeez Al-Shaair. Lawrence is also expected to undergo surgery on his non-throwing shoulder in the coming weeks.
Mac Jones finished with 294 yards and two TDs. Travis Etienne Jr. led the Jaguars’ rushing with 65 yards. Brian Thomas Jr. was the leading receiver with 105 yards and 2 TDs. Today’s attendance was 63,251.
The Jaguars head to Las Vegas to face the Raiders on Sunday, 12/22. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. The Jaguars’ final home game of the season will be against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, 12/29 at 1:00 p.m. Be sure to follow www.FloridaSportsChannel.com and www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.
Jacksonville
Jaguars Eliminated From Playoffs By Texans
Published
5 months agoon
December 1, 2024By
Mike Brodsky
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10) lost to the Houston Texans (8-5) 23-20, eliminating the Jags from the playoffs. Today’s game marked the Jaguars’ return to the field after a week 12 bye. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence started the game after missing the last two with an injury to his non-throwing shoulder, but left the game late in the second quarter after suffering a concussion in a heated moment between the two AFC South rivals.
The first quarter set the tone for today’s defensive battle, with no scoring by either team. Texans’ K Ka’imi Fairbairn was the first to put points on the scoreboard with a 53 yard field goal early in the second quarter. Fairbairn later added a 30 yard field goal to put the Texans ahead 6-0. A few plays later, QB Trevor Lawrence had to be taken off the field in a cart, after a rough helmet-to-helmet hit by Texans’ LB Azeez Al-Shaair. Al-Shaair and Jaguars’ CB Jarrian Jones were both ejected after the ensuing brawl between the teams. Lawrence was ruled out for the remainder of the game with a concussion, so QB Mac Jones entered the game to take his place. On that same drive, K Cam Little kicked a 33 yard field goal, to leave the Jaguars trailing 6-3 at halftime.
Little added a 30 yard field goal early in the third quarter, to tie the game at 6-6, extending his streak to 15 consecutive field goals made, the longest by a rookie in Jaguars’ franchise history. The Texans’ next drive ended with a 7 yard touchdown run by RB Joe Mixon and extra point by Fairbairn, putting Houston up 13-6. Fairbairn kicked a 28 yard field goal late in the third quarter, extending their lead to 16-6.
Early in the fourth quarter, Little missed a 55 yard field goal attempt, ending his franchise rookie streak at 15 consecutive field goals made. The Texans scored on a 22 yard pass by QB C.J. Stroud to TE Dalton Schultz, followed by Fairbairn’s XP, extending their lead to 23-6. Jaguars TE Evan Engram joined Jeremy Shockey and George Kittle as the only three tight ends in NFL history to record at least 40 receptions in each of their first eight seasons. Soon after, the Jaguars added a 22 yard touchdown pass by Jones to WR Parker Washington. A failed two point conversion attempt left the Jags down 23-12. Jones later connected with WR Brian Thomas Jr. for a 6 yard touchdown pass, tying Thomas for first place in receiving touchdowns by a rookie in franchise history (six). A two point conversion narrowed the deficit to 23-20. But the Texans were able to run out the clock to seal their victory, and knock the Jags out of the postseason.
During today’s game, players, coaches, and staff wore customized cleats and sneakers in support of various charitable organizations that they support, as part of the NFL’s “My Clause My Cleats” campaign. In all, more than fifty charitable causes were represented, including youth health and wellness, cancer research, and social justice.
Mac Jones finished with 235 yards and two TDs. Travis Etienne Jr. led the Jaguars’ rushing with 46 yards. Parker Washington was the leading receiver with 103 yards and 1 TD. Today’s attendance was 62,588.
The Jaguars head to Tennessee to face their AFC South rival Titans on Sunday, 12/8. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. The Jaguars’ next home game will be against the New York Jets on Sunday, 12/15 at 1:00 p.m. Be sure to follow www.FloridaSportsChannel.com and www.FloridaNationalNews.comfor more.
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