Jaguars open new season with more offensive struggles

Was it simply fool’s gold? The Panthers went from the 4-yard line to the 25 after the penalty and a sack and kicked a field goal.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) is tackled by Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis (58) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, September 13, 2015, in Jacksonville, Fla. The 12-year veteran matched his 2014 season total with a first-half touchdown and kept his legs churning to pick up a key first down with less than 10 minutes to go in the fourth quarter.

But the Jaguars failed to tie the game, however, when placekicker Jason Myers’ point-after attempt missed wide right. He was wide left from 53 yards in the first quarter, made two and then had his last attempt blocked. The Jaguars would not recover, being shutout in the second half. It will be a tough test, especially considering starting left tackle Luke Joeckel will be out, as ESPN’s Mike DiRocco reported. “We have to direct our attention to today and get our team learning from what took place in the game and where we need to move forward”. While the Hawks should have won the SuperBowl despite this, they did invest their first pick in the draft in return specialist Tyler Lockett. Bortles zeroed in on T.J. Yeldon’s progress towards the sideline and fired a pass in that direction.

During the third quarter, Norman picked off Blake Bortles (as many have before) and proceeded to take the open road to the end zone. Both teams are missing one of their top offensive play-makers, so expect the match-up to be a defensive struggle.

“There’s pressure for us to be at our best, to get this right and to execute like we’re capable of”, Bradley said. “We’re ready to go, ready to turn the page and get this season started”.

The Jaguars now face the daunting task of knowing they must spring an upset on the Miami Dolphins who come to town on Sunday.

That could be followed by a meeting of two winless teams in the state of Florida as the Jaguars are at Tampa Bay in Week 5. The talk energized the fan base and convinced outsiders things might be different in Jacksonville after just nine wins in the last 48 games. Bradley did say that the Jaguars were still in the game at that point, down eight, but you have to believe that was a big letdown for the Jaguars.

Josh Norman is a beast. Kuechly, who was initially covering tight end Clay Harbor on the play, turned to tackle Yeldon.

After failing to make much of an impact as a tight end for the Chicago Bears, Olsen has experienced a career resurgence in Carolina.

Greg Olson needs to get more involved in the passing game.

Brady, who was set to miss the first four games of the season until a late appeal saw his suspension for “Deflategate” overturned, threw for four touchdowns in the victory.

Stewart finished with 56 yards, which doesn’t scream satisfaction.