NFL

Buccaneers Struggle for Their Sea Legs Against the Cincinnati Bengals in Preseason Opener

Published

5 years ago

August 14, 2021

Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Ke'Shawn Vaughn (left) fights to recover a loose ball during the Buccaneers' match against the Cincinnati Bengals Saturday, August 14, 2021. Photo: Willie David/Florida National News.

TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a rough preseason start during their opener against Cincinnati Bengals Saturday.

Bucs starting quarterback Tom Brady got sacked in the first three minutes of the game.

At 8:19 in the first, on the Bengals’ third down, Lavonte David recovered the fumble, bringing the ball back to Tampa possession.

Blaine Gabbert came in at quarterback for the Bucs on the next drive. His first play, a pass intended for Jaelon Darden, was broken up by Bengals cornerback Darius Phillips. His next pass, intended for Tanner Hudson was also incomplete. The third time was the charm, with a successful pass to OJ Howard for a 15-yard gain.

Ke’Shawn Vaughn showed fancy footwork in the next play, getting a first down and scrambling for an additional two yards to the 49 on the second down.

Thanks to a successful pass to Jaelon Darden, the Bucs made it into the red zone. On the next play, Gabbert found Hudson–successfully this time–with a close call. With Hudson flipping over the defense, he dropped the ball but quickly recovered it, bringing the Bucs to the 2-yard line.

After a missed pass to Tanner Hudson, Gabbert handed off to Ke’Shawn Vaughn, who ran it in for the touchdown, getting the Bucs on the board first 6-0. The extra point try from the two-yard line that followed was ruled no good.

On the second down of the Bengals’ next drive, the Bucs defense forced quarterback Brandon Allen out of the pocket to scramble for nine yards by the end of the first quarter.

Second Quarter

On the Bengals’ third down, Bucs defense forced a fumble, with Bucs linebacker KJ Britt recovering. Ryan Griffin came in as Bucs quarterback for the next possession.

At 6:12, Griffin gambled on a fourth down pass attempt, but attempted to scramble for yardage. Not only was he sacked, but Bengals linebacker Darius Hodge knocked the ball out of his hands and the Bengals recovered it.

On the Bengals’ next first down, Bucs cornerback Ross Cockrell and safety Javon Hagan intercepted the ball, but couldn’t grip it. Mike Thomas recovered the fumble for Cincinnati.

Bucs outside linebacker Joe Tryon got his first sack with less than three minutes left in the first half, but the play was flagged as a personal foul for unnecessary roughness.

The Bengals made sure to answer before halftime, though. After a ten-play, 69-yard scoring drive lasting just over five minutes, Chris Evans ran the ball in one yard for the touchdown to close out the half with a 7-6 score.

Gabbert was pleased with his team’s scoring drive despite the mixed performance. “It was a good drive. We started off hot, ” he said at halftime. “It was an up and down drive. We had a few misses of those, but all and all it was great to put a drive together and put some points on the board. The guys played great and it was a good way to start off the preseason.”

Third Quarter

The Bengals widened their lead early in the third quarter with Evan McPherson’s 40-yard field goal for a score of 10-6.

During the Bucs’ possession, Bengals safety Kavon Frazier intercepted Griffin’s pass intended for Jaydon Mickens. On the Bengals’ fourth down, kicker Austin Seibert further widened the lead with a successful 24-yard field goal for a13-6 score.

On the Bucs’ next possession, rookie quarterback Kyle Trask took the helm to get some reps. Bengals defense pressed in quickly, seeming to fluster him. His long pass intended for wide receiver Travis Jonsen was incomplete. That possession was ultimately scoreless for the Bucs.

While the Bucs defense prevented another Bengals touchdown, Evan McPherson put the Bengals on the board again with a 31-yard field goal, closing out the third quarter with a 16-6 score.

Fourth Quarter

The Super Bowl Champions were looking bleak with scoreless drives and stacking penalties over the second and third quarters, but made a fierce comeback in the fourth.

With just over 11 minutes left in the game, Bucs linebacker Joseph Jones made the stadium explode with a quick interception and 15-yard run to the end zone for the Bucs’ second touchdown on the night. They immediately followed with a successful two-point conversion, shrinking the Bengals’ lead to 16-14 in less than two minutes.

But the Bucs’ chance at glory was short-lived.

Cincinnati’s Seibert scored a 38-yard field goal, making the final score 19-14.

_________________________________________________

Mellissa Thomas is Editor for Florida National News. | mellissa.thomas@floridanationalnews.com

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Jacksonville

Jaguars Continue to Dominate Colts in Duval

Published

6 days ago

November 1, 2026

Mike Brodsky

Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence holds the football behind his blockers as Colts defenders rush toward him.

Photo credit: Arthur “Dell” Morgan/Florida National News

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (5-2) beat the Indianapolis Colts (2-6) 42-7 at EverBank Stadium today. Today’s victory tied the second-longest home winning streak in stadium history, with seven straight wins. The Jaguars also tied the record held by two other teams by winning seven straight games at home scoring 34 or more points in each game. The Denver Broncos had seven such victories from Dec. 23, 2012 to Oct. 27, 2013, while the Los Angeles Chargers had a similar streak from Nov. 27, 1960 to Nov. 5, 1961. This was also the Jaguars 12th straight victory at home against the Colts, dating back to Dec. 13, 2015.

The Jaguars also introduced their Nike NFL “Rivalries” alternate uniform, nicknamed “Bold City,” with a teal helmet and leopard-print accents. The helmet includes the 904 area code on the front bumper and “DUUUVAL” on the back bumper. The inside of the back collar says “Bold City,” while the outside says “Since ‘95” (the Jaguars’ inaugural season). Hidden within the spots on the pants are the names of Jacksonville neighborhoods.

Jaguars’ RB Bhayshul Tuten scores twice in new “Bold City” uniform. Photo credit: Arthur “Dell” Morgan, Florida National News

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence threw a 12 yard touchdown pass to WR Brian Thomas Jr., followed by K Cam Little’s extra point to put the first points on the scoreboard. The score remained 7-0 at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Jaguars DE Bryan Thomas Jr. recovered a fumble by Colts RB Jonathan Taylor, but the Jags lost DT DaVon Hamilton to a knee injury on that play, and he had to be taken off the field in a golf cart. But Jacksonville’s drive ended four plays later with a 31 yard touchdown pass by Trevor Lawrence to TE Nate Boerkircher, with Little adding the XP. On the Jags’ next drive, RB Bhayshul Tuten ran 39 yards for a touchdown, followed by another Little extra point. Late in the quarter, Jaguars S Rayuan Lane III intercepted a QB Daniel Jones pass intended for TE Tyler Warren and returned it 92 yards for a touchdown, and after Little’s XP, the Jaguars were up 28-0 at halftime.

DT DaVon Hamilton had to be taken off the field in a golf cart after a knee injury. Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News

RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. ran for a 28 yard touchdown, with another Little extra point for the first points of the third quarter, extending the Jaguars lead to 35-0. But the Colts did manage to score their first points of the game as Daniel Jones threw to WR Josh Downs for a 6 yard touchdown pass, with an extra point by K Spencer Shrader. But Lawrence threw a 25 yard touchdown pass to Bhayshul Tuten, and Little’s XP put the Jaguars ahead 42-7 at the end of the third quarter, which remained the score at the end of the game.

Trevor Lawrence finished with 210 passing yards and 3 TDs. Bhayshul Tuten led the Jaguars’ rushing with 104 yards and 1 TD. Tuten was also the leading receiver with 55 yards and 1 TD. To hear Bhayshul Tuten discuss the factors that led to his success in today’s game, click here: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1WgGP3j5FA/?mibextid=wwXIfr

The Jaguars will be on the road for the next three games. They face the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, November 5th at 8:15 p.m., the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, November 15th at 1:00 p.m., and the New York Giants on Sunday, November 22nd at 1:00 p.m. The Jags return to The ‘Bank on Sunday, November 29th at 1:00 p.m., when they host the Titans in an AFC South matchup. Be sure to follow www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.

Jacksonville

Jaguars Maul The Patriots 35-6

Published

1 month ago

September 27, 2026

Mike Brodsky

Jaguars vs. Patriots (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1) beat the New England Patriots (1-2) 35-6 at EverBank Stadium today. The Jaguars have now won six consecutive home games dating back to November 16, 2025. The Jaguars lost their nine game regular season winning streak last week in Denver with their 20-13 loss to the Broncos.

The first quarter was a defensive battle, highlighted by the Jaguars sacking Patriots QB Drake Maye to force a fumble, which was recovered by NT DaVon Hamilton. But neither team put points on the board.

Early in the second quarter, Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence found WR Josh Cameron in the end zone for a 12 yard touchdown, followed by K Cam Little’s extra point, to put the Jags ahead 7-0. Soon after, it looked as though Maye had scrambled into the end zone for a 21 yard touchdown run, but that play was nullified by an offensive holding penalty by Patriots RT Morgan Moses. They did manage to score on a 35 yard field goal by K Andy Borregales, to narrow their deficit to 7-3. But the Jags extended their lead as Lawrence completed a 10 yard pass for WR Jakobi Meyers’ 25th career touchdown pass. That was also Lawrence’s 104th passing touchdown of his career, moving him past QB Blake Bortles for sole possession of second place on the Jaguars all-time list. QB Mark Brunell currently holds the team record with 144. After Little’s extra point, the Jags were up 14-3. The Patriots came close to scoring late in the second quarter, but Jaguars CB Travis Hunter had his first career interception, grabbing a pass by Maye intended for WR Efton Chism III in the end zone. The Jaguars gave Cam Little an opportunity to break his own NFL regular season record with a 70 yard field goal attempt, but it went wide right. The score remained 14-3 at the half.

Travis Hunter’s First Career Interception. (Photo Credit Arthur “Dell” Morgan)

On the Patriots first drive of the third quarter, Borregales attempted a 38 yard field goal, but it went wide right. Late in the quarter, Lawrence completed a 17 yard touchdown pass to WR Parker Washington, followed by Little’s XP, extending the lead to 21-3. As the Patriots took possession, Jaguars CB Jarrian Jones intercepted a Drake Maye pass intended for WR Kyle Williams. On the next play, RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. ran for a five yard touchdown. After another Little XP, the Jags were up 28-3 at the end of the third.

Early in the fourth quarter, Borregales redeemed himself with a 40 yard field goal, but the Pats remained down 28-6. The Jags added to their lead as RB Bhayshul Tuten ran for a 1 yard touchdown, and with Little’s extra point they finished the game up 35-6.

Trevor Lawrence finished with 182 passing yards and 3 TDs. Bhayshul Tuten led the Jaguars’ rushing with 73 yards and 1 TD. Jakobi Meyers was the leading receiver with 64 yards and 1 TD.

The Jaguars will be on the road for the month of October. They face the Bengals in Cincinnati on Sunday, October 4th at 1:00 p.m. Their next two games will be across the pond in London, where they’ll play the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, October 11th at 9:30 a.m. EST at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and the Houston Texans on Sunday, October 18th at 9:30 a.m. EST at Wembley Stadium. The Jaguars have a bye for NFL Week 7, then return home to host the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, November 1st at 1:00 p.m. at EverBank Stadium. Be sure to follow www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.

Jacksonville

Jaguars Blowout the Browns 34-10

Published

2 months ago

September 13, 2026

Mike Brodsky

Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0) beat the Cleveland Browns (0-1) 34-10 at EverBank Stadium today. The Jags scored early and often in this dominant victory over Cleveland, extending their winning streak to nine games, which is now the second-longest regular season winning streak in franchise history.

Browns QB Deshaun Watson entered this game 7-0 against the Jaguars. This was also his first game since October 20, 2024, when he ruptured his Achilles tendon. Watson’s first drive of the game was ended by a Foye Oluokun interception. The Jaguars first drive ended with a 30 yard touchdown pass by QB Trevor Lawrence to WR Parker Washington, with K Cam Little adding the extra point, to put the Jags ahead 7-0. The Jags added another score on their next drive, as Lawrence had his 100th career touchdown pass, a 4 yard completion to WR Josh Cameron, for Cameron’s first career TD reception. Little added the XP, to put the Jags up 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.

The Jaguars next possession in the second quarter ended with a 47 yard field goal by Little, extending the Jaguars lead 17-0. On the Browns’ next possession, the Jags forced a fumble by WR KC Concepcion Jr., which was recovered by DE Josh Hines-Allen. Five plays later, Lawrence later completed a 14 yard touchdown pass to TE Brenton Strange, followed by another Little extra point, as the Jags moved ahead 24-0, which remained the score at halftime.

The Jaguars’ first possession of the third quarter ended with another score, as Lawrence found WR Jakobi Meyers in the end zone, completing a 32 yard pass, followed by another XP by Little. The Jags now led 31-0. The Browns finally put points on the board on their next drive, with a 26 yard field goal by K Andre Szmyt, reducing the deficit to 31-3. Little added a 40 yard field goal, putting the Jags ahead 34-3 at the end of the quarter.

Nick Mullens entered the game at Quarterback for the Jags about midway through the fourth quarter. Trevor Lawrence left the game with a QB rating of 150.6, his highest ever. The Browns did manage a 46 yard touchdown pass by Watston to WR Denzel Boston just after the two-minute warning, followed by Szmyt’s XP, making the final score 34-10.

Trevor Lawrence finished with 245 passing yards and 4 TDs. Bhayshul Tuten led the Jaguars’ rushing with 66 yards. Parker Washington was the leading receiver with 83 yards and 1 TD.

Trevor Lawrence also became only the fourth player in NFL history to record at least 100 passing touchdowns and 20 rushing touchdowns before turning 27 years old. The first three were Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and Cam Newton.

Today’s game also marked the return of WR/CB Travis Hunter, who missed 10 games last season with a torn LCL.

The Jaguars’ stadium renovations also continue all season long, with the team playing in Orlando’s Camping World Stadium for the 2027 season. For an update on this construction project, visit https://www.instagram.com/reel/DdPBZU-BqKC/?stkn=a2lrcXViMmx0aWJ5.

The Jaguars head west to Denver to play the Broncos on Sunday, September 20th at 4:05 p.m. EST. They return to EverBank to play the New England Patriots on Sunday, September 27th at 1:00 p.m. Be sure to follow www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.