As they wrapped up their two-week stay in London, the Jacksonville Jaguars gave their embattled head coach Doug Pederson a gift money can’t buy: breathing room.
The Jaguars stomped all over the New England Patriots in the NFL’s London finale, rolling to a much-needed 32-16 win that will turn down the temperature on Pederson’s increasingly hot seat.
But it didn’t start tat way. It was all Patriots in the first quarter. Drake Maye, starting just his second NFL game, was calm and cool, leading the team down the field behind a solid offensive line that gave Maye all the time he needed in the pocket. The Pats scored on their opening drive for the first time this season, and after a quick, go-nowhere possession from the Jags, they nailed a field goal to take a 10-0 lead.
The Jags finally answered back in the second quarter, with Lawrence coming alive to lead a 68-yard touchdown drive. That finally started Jacksonville’s offensive engine. On their next possession Lawrence hucked the ball downfield for a gorgeous 58-yard pass, and a few plays later the Jags scored a TD for their very first lead of the game.
But the second quarter wasn’t done yet, and neither were the Jags. They had a punt returned 96 yards for a touchdown, their first punt return TD in four years, and the longest in Jacksonville history. Once you add on the successful two-point conversion at the end of that TD, the Jags scored 22 unanswered points on the Patriots in just one single quarter.
The intensity of the second half was dialed down a bit, but the Patriots continued to be stymied by the Jaguars in every area. The Pats couldn’t stop Jacksonville’s ground-heavy offense from scoring, and Jax’s defensive line had become impossible to break through.
The Pats finally managed to puncture a hole in the Jags’ defensive wall in the fourth quarter and had the opportunity to make it a one-possession game. After Maye connected with K.J. Osborn for a touchdown, head coach Jerod Mayo elected to go for two points. If successful, it would have brought the Pats to within seven points of the Jags, but they couldn’t make it happen and remained nine points behind Jacksonville.
New England didn’t have enough time or fight left to take it to Jacksonville in the closing minutes. And to put an exclamation point on the end of this game, the Jags scored one more touchdown in the final minute to double up the Patriots 32-16 and ensure the entire team has a very enjoyable flight back to Jacksonville.
This game brings the London portion of the NFL’s international schedule to a close. The final international game of 2024 will be Giants vs. Panthers in Munich on Nov. 10.
How to watch Patriots vs. Jaguars: NFL London Game
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Time: 9:30 a.m. ET
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Location: Wembley Stadium | London
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TV channel: NFL Network
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Streaming: Fubo
Live13 updates
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Tank Bigsby scores 2nd Jax TD
The Jags already had this game in hand, but they scored one more TD for good measure so they could properly double up the Patriots.
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And just like that the Patriots are back in this game
A touchdown gets the Patriots within nine points of the Jaguars.
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Patriots might have a chance to get back into the game…
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It’s been a busy game for Jax WR Parker Washington
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Jaguars score on 96-yard punt return!
What a turn of events. The Jaguars were essentially missing in action in the first quarter, but have scored three times in the second quarter — including this fantastic 96-yard punt return TD.
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Tank Bigsby takes it home for Jags lead
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Trevor Lawrence’s arm is ridiculous
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The Jags get on the board!
The Jaguars have finally done something positive in this game.
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Drake Maye thinking on his feet!
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JaMycal Hasty scores Pats’ first opening drive TD of season
Maye and the New England offense marched down the field at a decent clip and then actually scored a TD once they got into the red zone, which isn’t something that always happens for the Patriots. Then JaMycal Hasty turned in a great run to score the Pats’ first opening drive TD of the season.
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Drake Maye and Pats offense get the ball first
The Jags won the toss and they deferred, so we’ll see QB Drake Maye, in his second NFL start, and the Pats offense get the ball first.
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Inactives for Pats vs. Jags
Good morning and welcome to the third and final London game of the season! Here are the inactives for today’s contest.
