The Story of the 2015 Jacksonville Jaguars

(photo credit: titansonline.com)

Despite the fact the Jacksonville Jaguars only finished 5-11 last season, you could still say they had a very successful season last year. They gave their fans a lot to hope for in the 2016 season.

The Jags started the 2015 season with a game against the eventual Super Bowl runner up, the Carolina Panthers. The Jags were only down 10-9 at half, but a failed extra point kept the score from being tied. Carolina dominated the second half, on the way to a 20-9 victory. Blake Bortles went 22-40 for 183 yards and one touchdown. Josh Norman had a Pick Six that blew the game open. The Jags started their season off at 0-1.

Jacksonville next played their in state rival, the Miami Dolphins in Week 2. The Jaguars bounced back in this game, including kicker Jason Myers. He made a 58 yard field goal before the half, that gave the Jags a 10-3 lead at halftime. The Dolphins got at tied at 20-20, but Blake Bortles was given one final drive. Olivier Vernon got a 15 yard penalty, which set up Myers for the game winning field goal. Jacksonville avoided its fourth consecutive 0-2 start.

The Jags then went on a slide that put a dent in their season. They lost four straight games including one in overtime to Indianapolis, to drop their record to 1-5. The Jags got the opportunity to bounce back in London in front of a nationally televised audience. The Jags jumped out to a 27-13 lead at halftime, over the depleted Bills. The Bills made a huge rally in the fourth, and they even took the lead at one point. But because of a Bortles and Allen Hurns connection, the Jags rallied to win 34-31. The next game against the New York Jets was perhaps the toughest game of the season. The Jags were in it the whole game, and they had many opportunities to take the lead. But a myriad of turnovers gave the Jets a 28-23 victory.

The next game against the Baltimore Ravens was perhaps the most thrilling game of the season. The Jaguars had lost the game 20-19 but after a roughing the passer penalty, the Jags had another chance. Myers hit a long field goal to give the Jags a thrilling 22-20 victory. The next game was on Thursday Night Football against the Tennessee Titans. Many called it an eyesore, but it was a great game throughout. The Jags were down late after a Marcus Mariota touchdown run. But a long punt return set up the Jags to win the game 19-13.

The Jags lost their next two games, before they met the Titans again. This meeting saw points go up almost every possession. The Jags lost a heartbreaker, 42-39. The next game they played was against the Indianapolis Colts. After struggling mightily in the first half, the Jaguars came out firing in the second half. Jacksonville put up a fifty burger against its division rivals.

They ended up winning 51-16. After losing to Atlanta in Week 15, that put a dent in the Jags playoff hopes. After they lost their final two games, they finished the season at 5-11. While it doesn’t look like a great season, the Jags still accomplished a lot. Bortles finished with 4,428 yards, 35 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. Receiver Allen Robinson finished with 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns. Overall, the Jags had a pretty decent season, and they proved they’ll be contenders for years to come.