FOLIO
I have to give it to the Jags — typically, it takes a few punts or an interception to contemplate a switch from beer to liquor. At least the opponent’s first possession, then, to make me furiously rant with Jags Twitter nation.
This week, it happened on the opening kick-off.
Zero seconds into the game and returner Corey Grant let the opening kick slide through his hands.
The Jaguars recovered the ball, but fans knew it was happening again. My friend and I, Salty Pelican’s sole fans in teal, knew it was going to be a long afternoon.
They went three and out that drive, punting, for the first of six times during the game.
Emotions began to change in the second quarter. After a 42-yard punt return, the Jags were in great field position. Quarterback Blake Bortles connected with receiver Allen Robinson twice on the ensuing drive, then found him a third time for a touchdown.
Halftime came and we were down only 13-7.
Discussion among the lonely Jag fans, after learning the Salty Pelican in Fernandina Beach is a Patriots watch bar, was cautious at best.
We’ve been let down by the team before. Many times, actually, and we’re not ones to buy the false hope of every off-season.
We were down only one possession, but the Ravens would get the ball first.
Beyond the scoreboard, we were reminded that Bortles had once again thrown an interception and our running game was nonexistent.
Second half kick-off. We noticed the Ravens didn’t drop it.
A Ravens field goal on the drive made it once again a two-possession game, but it was better than allowing a touchdown. The next Jags drive featured several big passes from Bortles and capped off, again, with a Robinson touchdown.
Around this time, I let the false hope grab hold of me and tweeted out, “What if … we win?”
Both teams then decided they didn’t want the ball and punted it away twice each. But, on the final punt of the exchange, the Ravens dropped the ball and the Jaguars recovered it.
The game shifted. And so did the bar. We noticed several folks cheering on the Jaguars. They should’ve picked a better team to bandwagon.
The Jags drove nowhere and had to settle for a field goal, but it was enough to take the lead.
The following drive, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco was intercepted by Jags safety Tashaun Gipson. Suddenly, more folks were cheering for the big cats. My friend explained to his fiancée that they needed to stay a little longer.
We all bought in.
Three plays later, Bortles threw his second interception. The sorrow of his pathetic, wobbling pass was quickly replaced when two plays later, Flacco threw another interception.
With three minutes left, a lead and three timeouts, the Jags had the ball at the Ravens’ 29-yard line. They did absolutely nothing.
After going three and out, the Jags lined up for a field goal to stretch their lead to four. The 52-yard kick never even made it to the posts … it was blocked.
The Ravens slowly drove down and kicked a field goal, with 1:02 left to play. They went up 19-17.
The final drive was worth forgetting as we finished our drinks. A pair of horrible play calls, a time-wasting sack and the grand finale — another Bortles interception.
A slightly intoxicated Ravens fan yelled, “We won the game!” as I left.
Next week, come find me at Intuition Ale Works and discover the joys of A.M. drinking as the Jags travel to London.
Follow FOLIO!