Packers Swelter Out a Win in Memorable Season Debut

Brookfield, WI – With 23 seconds remaining in regulation the Jaguars were facing a 4th and 1 at the Packer’s 14-yardline, licking their chops. They were perfect all game on fourth down, and converted one just six plays earlier to keep their game winning drive alive. But the Packer defense squashed all hope when defensive back Damarius Randall prevented receiver Allen Hurns from converting by wrapping him up and waiting for the Packer convoy to arrive, preserving a 27-23 victory Sunday afternoon in Jacksonville.

“We were in zero coverage and my man blocked, so right when I read the bubble I was just coming up to make a play to win the game,” said Randall who was still dripping sweat in the locker room wearing street clothes. “I had enough of my team(mates) to pursue the finish.”

Playing in the scorching Florida heat was a topic of discussion all week, for the Packers, but Head Coach Mike McCarthy won’t use it for an excuse.

“To play out here in this heat was challenging for both teams,” said McCarthy who, even himself, sounded gassed from the sweltering heat.

The victory marked the sixth time in nine years the Packers have won their season opener in the Aaron Rodgers’ era, but none of them were in the high 90’s with thick humidity.

“It was hot for both teams,” said Rodgers, who completed 20 of 34 passes for 199 yards and scored all three touchdowns for the Packers. “Both sides were dying.”

McCarthy added, “even the locals would say the same.”

The game was full of spectacular catches, bone-crushing hits, and head scratching, hair-pulling decisions and moments in a spectacularly stressful afternoon.

The return of Rodgers' favorite target, Jordy Nelson, led to much anticipation, and though his numbers (six catches for 32 yards and a touchdown) were not Jordy-esque, his presence was felt, especially to fellow receiver Randall Cobb.

"With Jordy taking the top off of things and me working underneath, I really think we do compliment each other well," said Cobb, who finished with six catches for a team high 57 yards receiving.

The offense ran a total of 59 plays, 25 being runs and 34 being passes, yet generated a total of just 294 yards. Rodgers is far from satisfied, especially after the substandard 2015 season where they ranked a paltry 23rd in the league in total offense.

"We have to play better," Rodgers said with a disgruntled look on his face. "At times we move the ball really efficiently, and other times we go three-and-out."

Rodgers scored the Packers first touchdown of the season on a six-yard scramble to the right corner of the end zone to take a 7-0 first quarter lead. It was set up by an interception by linebacker Joe Thomas on the Jaguars' first possession to set the Packers on the opponents 29-yard-line.

The Packers' offense would struggle for the remainder of the first quarter and early into the second by having three consecutive three-and-outs. And Brad Nortman, Jacksonville's punter and former Wisconsin Badger, pinned Green Bay back to the three-yard line on two consecutive punts.

To make matters worse, on the third play of their third possession, drops would continue to plague Davante Adams who could not bring in a deep throw where both hands touched the ball.

The Jaguars took advantage of having two of their next three possessions start in Packers' territory. A quick three-play, 48-yard scoring drive, started with a 37-yard screen pass to tight end Mercedes Lewis, and two plays later, running back T.J. Yeldon found the end zone on a five-yard touchdown run to tie the game with 3:40 remaining in the first quarter. Two possessions later, Jason Meyers foot gave them a three-point lead on a 26-yard field goal.

With 7:48 remaining in the first half, Rodgers and the offense caught fire, orchestrating a nine-play, 75-yard scoring drive taking 4:43 off the clock, and saw them not face a single third down. Rodgers completed all six of his passes for 58 yards, with the last being a six-yard dart to Nelson, his first touchdown since December 21, 2014 against Tampa Bay, to regain the lead.

Jacksonville quarterback Blake Bortles, who finished second in the league last season with 35 touchdown passes, immediately responded following the two-minute warning. Second year cornerback Quintin Rollins was beat by receiver Allen Hurns on a double move for 30-yards, and three plays later Rollins was burned again on a 22-yard touchdown catch by Julius Thomas. Though he would later make a game saving play, Rollins was benched in favor of undrafted rookie Ladarius Gunter.

Jacksonville's problem was scoring too soon, taking only 1:56 off the clock and leaving nearly a minute left for Green Bay to capitalize before half time.

Last season the Packers finished 28th in the league in third-down conversion percentage at just 34%, and started the game 0/4. However, the Packers turned it around starting on this drive by converting all four of their next third-downs, the first being the play of the game for the offense. Facing third-and-ten at the Jacksonville 29, the Jaguars brought heavy blitz with linebacker Paul Posluszny and cornerback Jalen Ramsay. Rodgers, being pressured, forced a pass while Ramsay was in the process of pulling him down from behind his jersey to Davante Adams, who, somehow, hauled it in for a touchdown, giving the Packers' a 21-17 halftime lead.

When asked how he was able to make such a throw, Rodgers responded with a smirk, "A lot of core exercises in the offseason."

Though drops have plagued Adams, his quarterback has not lost confidence in the third-year player.

The Packers' offense, even with better overall field position, stalled in the second half with just two field goals. Rodgers completed just two of his first seven passes, but then completed nine of his next 13.

After both teams traded field goals, the Green and Gold put together a 16-play drive, taking 9:14 off the clock, but faltered in the red-zone, which saw three straight running plays and a miscommunication on the third down play where the linemen believed it was a pass play when it was a run, resulting in a run for no gain by running back James Starks.

"Some of us thought we were in a certain personnel group," said Rodgers who was shown irritated on the sidelines. "We went out there to run a play and then James was coming off and we were all screwed up."

He pointed out how the offense struggled with maintaining drives. "That's kind of been our issue for years. If we get a first down we are usually effective."

Up by four with 5:12 remaining, Green Bay had an opportunity to put the game away by draining the clock. After Rodgers scampered for an eight-year pickup, it all went south due to poor communication. The Packers tried to use two timeouts in a row, an illegal procedure, forcing them into a 3rd-and-nine hole.

The Jaguars regained possession with 3:17 left, and had a chance to give their team and fans their first season opener win in five years, but when safety HaHa Clinton-Dix intercepted Bortles on 4th and 14 it looked over. That is until the flag was thrown for holding by fellow safety Morgan Burnett, giving them another chance which seemed almost like destiny.

Facing another 4th down with no timeouts, they tried to convert their fourth 4th down in a row, but saw it come up just short, thanks to the text book read and tackle by Randall, giving the Packers their second straight season opener victory, and a trip to the Metrodome next week with a 1-0 record.

The Packers in their no huddle offense was able to score quickly when in tempo. Their three touchdown drives consisted of six, nine and five plays, taking only 3:05, 4:42 and 0:56 off the clock.

Though the Jaguars are coming off five straight seasons with at least 11 losses, they outgunned the Packers in total yards (348-294), passing yards (300-199) and time of possession (31:23-28:37). Bortles impressed by putting his team's offense solely on his throwing arm, due to the Packers' defense holding their running game to only 48 yards on 26 carries (1.8 average).

The defense generated three sacks, a forced fumble, an interception and yield only four of 15 third downs (26%).

Both the Lions and Vikings won their season openers, opening a three way tie atop the NFC North.