Carolina Panthers vs Jacksonville Jaguars Match Player Stats On Sep 13, 2015

The Sports Xchange
Sep 13, 2015

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Carolina Panthers used a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown by cornerback Josh Norman midway in the third quarter and added a fourth-quarter field goal to pull away from the Jacksonville Jaguars in a 20-9 win Sunday afternoon at EverBank Field.

The Panthers put together an eight-minute drive in the fourth quarter to keep the ball away from the Jaguars. The Panthers took over on their own 7-yard line and took 15 plays to go 64 yards before the drive stalled. Graham Gano came in to kick a 47-yard field goal at that point to hike Carolina's lead to 20-9 with 2:41 remaining.

Jacksonville had the ball for just eight plays in the fourth quarter prior to getting the ball back and trailing 23-9. They had a seven-play drive that netted 24 yards and ended when quarterback Blake Bortles was sacked for a 2-yard loss. On their possession, Bortles had his arm hit as he attempted to pass and linebacker Thomas Davis grabbed the wobbly ball for an interception just inside the 20-yard line.

The Panthers put heavy pressure on Bortles throughout the game. They sacked the Jaguars quarterback five times and forced him into two interceptions. He finished with just 183 passing yards on 22-of-40 passing.

Norman read the sideline pass intended for T.J. Yeldon. He stepped in front of the Jaguars running back and sprinted untouched to the end zone for the score.

The teams labored through a 3-3 game for the first 28 minutes of the game before both scored in the final two minutes. Carolina put together a 61-yard, 12-play march with quarterback Cam Newton connecting on six of seven passes for 44 yards. He teamed with wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery from 6 yards out for the touchdown with 1:52 left in the half.

The Jaguars answered with a late drive of their own with Bortles putting together his best series of the game. He hit on seven of eight passes for 53 yards including a 24-yard sideline toss to wide receiver Allen Hurns. Officials first ruled that Hurns did not have two feet inbounds, but the play was reviewed and reversed to a completed pass. Two plays later, Bortles hit wide receiver Rashad Greene on a 1-yard toss into the end zone.

But the Jaguars failed to tie the game, however, when placekicker Jason Myers' point-after attempt missed wide right.

Both teams lost a key player in the first half, both coming within three plays of each other. Carolina's top defensive player, middle linebacker Luke Kuechly suffered a concussion when tackling Yeldon. Kuechly did not return to the game. Several plays later, Jaguars left tackle Luke Joeckell went down with an ankle injury.

NOTES: Carolina OT Daryl Williams went out with a knee injury on the Panthers' first-quarter field goal and did not return to the game. ... Jaguars starting LT Luke Joeckell suffered an ankle injury in the third quarter and did not return. ... After giving up a league-high 71 sacks a year ago, the Jaguars started the season allowing five sacks.