Despite fumble in endzone, Jaguars hold on to clinch 15-14 nail biter
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DENVER (AP) — It all looked like a sloppy game. Jay Cutler left the game early with an abdominal strain and didn't return, the Jaguars fumbled the ball in the endzone after celebrating early and the Broncos gave up a 14-6 lead after halftime.
It was just never going to go right for the Denver Broncos as Byron Leftwhich threw for 257 yards, Maurice Jones-Drew rushed for 84 yards and wide receiver Reggie Williams wrecked havoc recording 6 receptions for 124 yards including one touchdown as the Jaguars defeated the Broncos, 15-14 this past sunday.
Early in the game, the Jaguars got off to a great start, they drove down the field 75 yards in 11 plays, including a 23 yard pass to Jones and then a 29 yard pass to Brown to set up a field goal after a impressive goal-line stand by the Broncos.
The Broncos couldn't get anything going offensively, Jay Cutler kept overthrowing receivers and was hit hard on play that ruled him out of the game with an abdominal strain with 27 seconds left in the first quarter.
"That was hard for us," said head coach Mike Shanahan. "We needed Jay out there and he was sidelined unfortunately."
The Jaguars went on to extend their led with 8:08 left in the second quarter when Josh Scobee kicked a 32 yard field goal to make the score 6-0.
But the Broncos wouldn't quit despite having no offense throughout the first half, running back Travis Henry ran in a 26 yard touchdown run with 4:01 left, but it came back after a holding call.
5 plays later Patrick Ramsey, the fill in quarterback found Javon Walker in the back of the endzone for a 6 yard touchdown pass, coincidently, his 6th receiving touchdown pass of the season with 2:12 left on the clock.
The Broncos got the ball back with 1:50, and after a hail-mary type throw, Ramsey found Brandon Marshall downfield for a 27 yard gain, which set up a 5 yard run by Mike Bell with 1 minute left and up 14-6.
Jacksonville had just 15 rushing yards in the first half compared to Denver's 65.
"When Henry went out with the injury, I knew I had to fill in well," said running back Mike Bell who rushed for 56 yards in 8 carries.
The Jaguars started off the third quarter much how they started off the first quarter, after a long 6:39, 14 play-74 yard drive, Leftwich found Reggie Williams free in the endzone for a 6 yard touchdown pass, they failed the two point conversion when Jones-Drew fumbled in the endzone giving the Broncos still a 14-12 lead.
A few series later late in the third quarter and Reggie Williams was on his way into the endzone for a 58 yard touchdown would-be-reception, but he fumbled on the 1 yard line and Champ Bailey picked it up (above) and returned it 56 yards back to mid-field.
Jacksonville started the fourth and final quarter strongly, kicking a 37 yard field goal to put them ahead, 15-14 with just 8:13 left.
With 1:42 left, Ramsey was picked off by Rashean Mathis deep downfield on fourth down to give the Jaguars the win as they ran out the clock and improved to 3-0.
The Broncos face the defending world champion the 3-0 Indianapolis Colts next weekend.