Green Bay Packers 27-23 Jacksonville Jaguars
Monday 12 September 2016 09:10, UK
Aaron Rodgers threw three first-half touchdowns as the Green Bay Packers held off a spirited fightback from the Jacksonville Jaguars to give Mike McCarthy a road victory.
In 140 characters...
After an explosive 1st half, the Packers mooted the Jags' offence in the 2nd. At the end, Green Bay's defence stepped up when it mattered.
MVP
Rodgers threw three touchdowns, the most important coming under extreme pressure from the Jaguars defence. Rodgers remained cool in the pocket, connecting with Davante Adams to give the Packers a 21-17 half-time lead.
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Game-changer
With 20 seconds left on the clock and the Jaguars camped at the Packers' 15, Blake Bortles attempts a one-yard throw to Allen Hurns. Huge defence by the Packers keeps Jacksonville at bay and gives Green Bay an opening day win.
Stat of the Night
90 - degree temperatures recorded in the stands in Jacksonville, making it the hottest game the Packers have been involved in in 13 years. Only twice have Green Bay played a game in which the kickoff temperature was above 90 since the team began recording the statistic in 1959.
The game
The Packers took an early lead with Rodgers running in from six yards. It did not last long, though, as Bortles recovered from an early interception to level the game - Marcedes Lewis making up 37 yards before TJ Yeldon ran the final five yards and find the end zone.
After the Jaguars added a field goal, the Packers were forced to attack again, Rodgers finding Jordy Nelson to lead 14-10 halfway through the second quarter. Again the Jaguars fought back as Bortles found tight end Julius Thomas perfectly in the corner of the end zone.
It looked as though the Jags would lead going into half time but Rodgers had other ideas, defying pressure and throwing downfield to Adams to give the Packers a 21-17 lead.
Early in the second half the teams exchanged field goals, before the Packers added another three points at the start of the fourth quarter to lead 27-20. With eight minutes left Jacksonville made their move, marching up the field through runs from Yeldon and Robinson. However, two timeouts and a penalty against Bortles cost the Jaguars a touchdown opportunity who instead had to settle for a field goal.
With the Jags pressing for a late touchdown, the Packers defence stayed strong, denying them at 4th and 1, claiming an opening day win. The Jaguars looked much improved on last season, particularly in defence, but they could do little to stop Rodgers moving the chains, particularly in the first half.
