Aaron Rodgers threw two touchdown passes and ran for another to lead the Green Bay to a 27-23 road victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the season opener for both teams Sunday.
The Jaguars mounted a late drive that came up just short on a fourth-and-1 play at the Packers 14-yard line with just 23 seconds left in the game.
Knowing Green Bay was going to bring a lot of pressure, Jacksonville tried to throw a bubble screen out to Allen Hurns who couldn’t pick up the first down to end the game. The Jaguars had converted their three previous fourth-down plays before falling just short.
“We kind of knew that was what they were going to do,” said Blake Bortles, who completed 24 of 39 passes for 320 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. “They are a big ‘bring the house’ team, so we just have to execute.”
Rodgers looked every bit like a two-time league MVP as he extended a number of plays with his feet to keep drives alive.
Late in the second quarter, Rogers scrambled before finding Jordy Nelson in the back of the end zone for a six-yard touchdown pass. Three minutes later and with less than 20 seconds to go before the half, Rogers again avoided a big sack before finding Davante Adams for a 29-yard touchdown.
“I don’t think we played very well offensively,” said Rodgers, who completed 20 of 34 passes for 199 yards. “But we won. It’s tough to win in this league. It’s tough to win on the road.”
Next Opponents
Green Bay: Next up for the Packers is an NFC Class between two bitter rivals as Green Bay goes on the road to take on the Minnesota Vikings Sunday.
Jacksonville: Th Jaguars will go on the road to take on the San Diego Chargers. Both teams are in search of their first victories after the Chargers lost a heartbreaking overtime game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
