The Jacksonville Jaguars offense was disappointing, but the defense stepped up during the team’s 19-13 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
David Garrard and the first team offense went to the sidelines in the third quarter without scoring a touchdown, but the defense had a stand out performance. After the first play from scrimmage, a 51-yard pass from Josh Johnson to Mike Williams, the Buccaneers were only able to gain 138 yards of total offense.
The Jagaurs defense finished off the game in commanding fashion. Rookie linebacker Jacob Cutrera sacked Rudy Carpenter just outside of the two minute warning in the fourth quarter. On the next play, Tyron Brackenridge intercepted the football to keep his team on top.
Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio praised his team’s performance after the game.
“I see the commitment,” he said. “We have a stout front, we have some talent in our front. We went without our three starting linebackers tonight and I was proud of the way the backups went out there and competed.”
The Jaguars defense held the Buccaneers to nine first downs and just 4.4 yards per play.