Sep 11, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA;Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) runs the ball in for a touchdown as Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Davon House (31) attempted to defend during the first quarter at EverBank Field. Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Quarterback Aaron Rodgers broke out of an early rut to throw two touchdowns and run for another as the Green Bay Packers staved off a late Jacksonville Jaguars’ rally and win 27-23 at EverBank Field.
The Jaguars had a shot to pull off the upset when they forced Green Bay to go three-and-out and regained possession with 3:17 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Quarterback Blake Bortles led his offense to Green Bay’s 14-yard line with 23 seconds remaining before a short pass to receiver Allen Hurns on fourth-and-1 went for a loss and ended the team’s last gasp.
Packers cornerback Damarious Randall and safety Morgan Burnett were in on the tackle on the short toss to Bortles’ right.
The play ended a thrilling drive during which Bortles hit receiver Allen Robinson for a 22-yard gain. Robinson fumbled on the play but was somehow able to recover and continue the Jaguars’ drive. The Jaguars converted three previous fourth-down tries before Hurns came up short.
The loss is Jacksonville’s fifth straight in openers and drops the team to 1-11 in September games under coach Gus Bradley.
The Jaguars stymied Rodgers for much of the first half, forcing Green Bay into three consecutive three-and-outs at one point before the former NFL MVP finally found his rhythm.
He hit old friend Jordy Nelson, playing for the first time since suffering a torn ACL in August 2015, for a touchdown before finding Davante Adams on a miraculous throw-and-catch just before halftime to give the Packers a 21-17 lead.
Rodgers’ touchdown to Adams came with cornerback Jalen Ramsey pulling the quarterback down by his jersey. Somehow, Rodgers had enough strength to find Adams, who had cornerback Davon House draped all over him, for a 29-yard touchdown.
Green Bay settled for a pair of Mason Crosby field goals in the second half.
Bortles finished the game 24 of 39 for 320 yards with one perfectly thrown 22-yard touchdown to tight end Julius Thomas in the first half. Bortles, who led the NFL with 18 interceptions last season, had one on the team’s first drive on a pass that was bobbled by receiver Marqise Lee.
Rodgers finished 20 of 34 for 199 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He also ran for a 6-yard score on Green Bay’s first possession, which followed the Bortles interception.
Running back T.J. Yeldon had a rushing touchdown for the Jaguars but finished the game with 39 yards on 21 carries.
NOTES: Jaguars RB Chris Ivory was inactive after being admitted to a local hospital Sunday morning. Ivory was previously questionable to play because of a calf injury. … DE Tyson Alualu was also inactive for the Jaguars, snapping his streak of 96 consecutive games played. … WR Randall Cobb appeared to twist his ankle and limped gingerly off the field in the third quarter but did not miss a play with the Packers’ offense. However, No. 1 CB Sam Shields left the game with an undisclosed injury late in the fourth quarter and did not return.
