Published on September 18, 2022 at 11:06 pm
The Jaguars thumped Indianapolis 24-0 on Sunday afternoon in their 2022 home opener.
The paid attendance of 58,360 may have been one of the smallest for a home opener, but the players and coaches certainly fed off the energy.
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“I thought we had a really good crowd today. They got loud on a couple of defensive fourth down plays, you know, in the second half, and that was good to see the guys out there,” Jags Coach Doug Pederson said afterward.
Jacksonville Today was on the sidelines at TIAA Bank Field.
Sunday was the first time in nearly four years the Jaguars posted a shutout. Then, as now, Indianapolis was the victim. The Jags shutout the Colts 6-0 on Dec. 13, 2018.
Sunday’s win was the eighth straight win over Indianapolis in Jacksonville. Afterward, Colts players called the loss “embarrassing.”
The Jaguars defense intercepted the Colts three times, sacked quarterback Matt Ryan five times and forced a turnover on downs twice.
“I think it just confirms you know, what we’re doing here, what we’re building the people, we have coaches and players included,” Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence said afterward. “And I think that’s really that’s really it. I mean, it confirms that we’re on the right track.”
Lawrence threw two touchdowns to new receiver Christian Kirk. He finished with 235 passing yards and no turnovers.
Jaguars punter Logan Cooke’s biggest contribution may have been holding for kicker Riley Patterson, who made all three extra points and a 52-yard field goal. Cooke averaged 45.6 yards per punt, but three of his kicks were after the game was well in hand.
Sunday was the first time Cooke’s 11-month-old son Cooper had a chance to watch him play.
The Jaguars (1-1) head to Los Angeles next week to face the Chargers (1-1). The next home game will be Oct. 9 against the Houston Texans.
