NFL games usually follow a script. You’ve got the favorite, the underdog, and some predictable back-and-forth before a winner emerges. But the October 2024 meeting between the Green Bay Packers Jaguars at EverBank Stadium basically threw the script in the trash by the second quarter.
It was messy. It was stressful. Honestly, it was one of those games that makes you wonder how NFL coaches don't have gray hair by age 30.
If you weren't watching, the Packers walked away with a 30-27 win, but the score doesn't tell half the story. Jordan Love went down. Malik Willis had to play hero again. The Jaguars lost basically every wide receiver they owned. It was a war of attrition that came down to a guy who had only been on the Packers' roster for about twelve minutes.
The Jordan Love Scare and the Malik Willis Magic
Let's talk about the elephant in the room. Jordan Love.
Early in the first quarter, Love looked off. He was grimacing after a routine throw and started favoring his leg. It turned out to be a groin injury, and though he tried to gut it out, he eventually had to hobble to the sidelines in the third quarter. It’s scary when your $220 million franchise guy goes down. You could almost hear the collective gasp from Wisconsin all the way down to Florida.
Enter Malik Willis.
The guy is basically the NFL's best insurance policy right now. He didn't come in and try to be Patrick Mahomes. He just did his job. He finished 4-of-5 for 56 yards and a touchdown. But the real "holy cow" moment was his 51-yard bomb to Jayden Reed late in the fourth. That play set up the game-winning kick.
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Josh Jacobs Put the Team on His Back
While the quarterback situation was a total rollercoaster, Josh Jacobs was the steady hand. He finished with 127 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
His 38-yard touchdown run in the third quarter was absolute filth. He dodged about three different defenders, broke a tackle, and just outran everyone. Without that explosive ground game, the Packers probably lose this one. He was the engine. Even when he came up limping a bit toward the end, he’d already done the heavy lifting.
The Jaguars' Brutal Luck
You’ve gotta feel a little bad for Trevor Lawrence. He played a decent game, throwing for 308 yards and two scores, but his supporting cast kept disappearing. Literally.
- Christian Kirk: Out with a shoulder injury (later confirmed as a season-ending collarbone break).
- Brian Thomas Jr.: Left with a chest injury.
- Gabe Davis: Hit the locker room with a shoulder issue.
By the end of the game, the Jaguars were essentially playing with tight ends and guys they probably found in the parking lot. Okay, not really, but they were down to two healthy receivers. Despite that, Lawrence still found Evan Engram for a 14-yard touchdown to tie the game at 27-27 with less than two minutes left. It was gritty. It just wasn't enough.
Brandon McManus: The Ultimate "I Told You So"
Remember when the Packers were struggling with kickers? It felt like every week was a new adventure in missed extra points. Well, Brandon McManus changed that narrative pretty quickly.
For the second week in a row, McManus stepped up for a walk-off field goal. It was a 24-yard chip shot, sure, but in a stadium that loud with that much pressure? Nothing is guaranteed. He nailed it.
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The "Rolex" situation, as Matt LaFleur calls it, worked perfectly. Chris Brooks, the backup running back, actually had a chance to score a touchdown right before the kick, but he smartly slid down at the 5-yard line. Why? To bleed the clock. If he scores, the Jaguars get the ball back. By sliding, he let the Packers kick the field goal as time expired. High-IQ football at its best.
Why This Specific Matchup Matters for the History Books
The Green Bay Packers Jaguars rivalry isn't exactly a storied one—they're in different conferences, so they only play every four years. But the Packers have historically dominated. With this win, Green Bay moved to 6-2 all-time against Jacksonville.
Interestingly, home-field advantage has been a myth in this series. The visiting team has now won six of the nine total matchups.
Defensive Jekyll and Hyde
Green Bay's defense is a weird unit. They lead the league in takeaways, and Xavier McKinney is a ball magnet. He got his sixth interception of the season in this game.
But they also give up big plays like they're going out of style. Lawrence was hitting 20-plus yard passes all afternoon. Rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper was a bright spot, though. He had a massive strip-sack on Lawrence that Devonte Wyatt recovered. That play led directly to a Tucker Kraft touchdown.
It’s that "bend but don't break" style that drives fans crazy but somehow keeps resulting in wins.
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Key Stats You Might Have Missed
- Time of Possession: Green Bay held the ball for over 34 minutes. They controlled the clock, which is why the Jaguars' defense looked gassed in the fourth.
- The Reed Effect: Jayden Reed only had two catches, but they went for 55 yards. He is the definition of a "big play" receiver.
- The Turnover Battle: Both teams threw one pick, but Lawrence’s lost fumble was the dagger.
Moving Forward: What This Means for Both Teams
For the Packers, this win proved they can survive a "Jordan Love-less" environment if they have to. It showed that their run game is elite and their kicker is finally reliable.
For the Jaguars, it was a devastating blow. Losing your top three receivers in one afternoon is a nightmare scenario for any franchise. It basically signaled the end of any realistic playoff hopes for their 2024 campaign.
If you're looking to understand the DNA of this Green Bay team, this is the game to watch. They aren't always pretty. They get hurt. They make mistakes. But they find a way to win when the clock is hitting zero.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts:
- Watch the Injury Reports: If you're tracking Green Bay's success, the health of Love’s groin and the secondary (Jaire Alexander and Evan Williams) is more important than any scheme.
- Respect the Ground Game: Josh Jacobs is the focal point. When he’s over 100 yards, the Packers are almost impossible to beat because it opens up the play-action for whoever is at QB.
- Don't Sleep on Malik Willis: He's not just a backup; he's a legitimate winner who understands the system well enough to execute under extreme pressure.
To stay ahead of the curve on the next matchup, keep an eye on the defensive secondary's ability to stop explosive plays, as that remains the one glaring weakness in an otherwise playoff-ready roster.