2022 JAX Vs. LV: Wild Card

[Weeze]

 

Wild Card Magic

Two High Powered Offenses Explode During Wild Card Weekend.

 

TE George Devoe 7 catches on 8 targets for 100 yards, 1 touchdown

Wild Card weekend has come and gone, and the first wave of teams will bitterly watch the rest of the season from their couch. The High powered Jaguars offense would face off against an explosive Raiders team that have two of the league's best receivers who lead in reception yards, as well as a top 5 QB in passing yards. None of the jaguars receivers were in the top 5, however Connolly, who didn't play the final week of the season, was one of the best passers in the league. He was also great at passing the ball around the yard as the Jaguars had 3 receivers finish over 1300 yards on the season, and all 3 finish with double digit TD receptions. Connolly, the ten year veteran, finished the season with over 5300 yards through the air, 48 passing touchdowns, and just shy of a 70% completion percentage. When asked about his season leading up to the Wildcard matchup with the Raiders, he had some strong feelings.

"I understand the strategy to sit and rest me, give the rookie(Matt Howard) a chance to show what he has learned over the season... but damn if it doesn't piss me off. So close to 50 Touchdowns this season." He said laughing with the media. This game was a fun and explosive back and forth game where we saw more total touchdowns than punts. Both teams combined for 13 Touchdowns scored on the afternoon, with 3 field goals sprinkled in.

 

QB James Hixon, 27 of 40, for 427 yards, 5 Touchdowns.

The Raiders made their second visit to Jacksonville this season after getting completely destroyed the first time around. The Jaguars Shut out the Vegas Raiders 42-0. Raiders QB James Hixon threw for over 300 yards, but the defense still manage to hold him off the board, thanks to the help of 2 turnovers. Connolly, 466 yards and 4 TDs, conversely had his best game of the season up to that point( he would have a new season high by 1 yard the following week.) Both these teams knew they could be productive, but it was going to come down to who could be the most efficient.

 

You could say the Raiders came out strong and caught the Jacksonville defense napping. The Jaguars, who allowed only 15.1 points a game during the regular season, allowed the Raiders to score 48 points. If these young cats needed a reminder that playoff football was different, and they were gonna have to step up their game, this was it. The defense allowed 488 total yards on offense, including 5 passing touchdowns and no turnovers from Hixon. This, with a 68% passing completion, should be enough to win the game and advance to the next round. If only it wasn't the Jaguars they were playing.

 

QB Steven Connolly 35 of 49 for 538 yards, 7 Touchdowns.

Despite the lack luster performance by the Jacksonville defense(Kudos to the Raiders coaching staff), Connolly continued to come off the bench and go toe-to-toe with whatever the Raiders did. After finishing the first half 23-10, the Jaguars came out in the second half just clawing their way back. Putting the season on the back of their MVP, Connolly lead the team to an early 4th quarter comeback where they never relinquished the lead for the rest of the game. The Jaguars had 3 receivers go over 100 yards, and all three had touchdowns. Two of those receivers included RB Stephen Tabbert(7 of 7 for 108 yards, 2TD) and TE George Devoe (7 of 8 for 100 yards, 1 TD). The receiver of the game however, despite Charles Brown's (8 of 13 for 174 Yards, 1 TD) performance, has to be Charles Grady. 9 of 10 for 82 yards and 3 Touchdown catches. The Jaguars would end the game 58-46, in probably the most exciting game(in this unbiased journalist opinion anyway) of the weekend.

 

The Jaguars will host Cincinnati this weekend who defeated the Browns 31-13. This will be the first time these two teams meet this season. The Bengals ended the season 13-4, and coached by Ezaco.