A tale of two halves favored the Jaguars (9-4) during a 30-24 win over the Seattle Seahawks (8-5) Sunday at EverBank Field.
The two teams combined for three points in the first half. However, a scoring onslaught in the third quarter caused the lead to ping-pong early in the second half.
Jacksonville produced big plays in all three phases against the Seahawks. The Jaguars won the turnover battles and produced two plays of 72 or more yards, while also holding Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson in check for the majority of the contest.
Wilson completed 17-of-31 passes for 271 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. He was picked off three times by the cornerback duo of A.J Bouye and Jalen Ramsey. Bouye picked Wilson off twice.
Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles had a much more efficient afternoon, completing 18-of-27 passes for 268 passing yards and two touchdowns.
Bortles' top weapons were wide receivers Dede Westbrook and Marqise Lee. Westbrook caught five passes for 81 yards and a touchdown. Lee produced five catches for 65 receiving yards.
Rookie wide receiver Keelan Cole added 99 yards and a touchdown on three catches. His 75-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter helped the Jaguars regain the lead after the Seahawks scored 10-straight points.
The Jaguars' passing game received help from the team's running attack. Rookie running back Leonard Fournette produced 119 total yards and a touchdown on 28 touches. Running back Chris Ivory picked up 48 yards on six carries against the Seahawks.
Kicker Josh Lambo complimented the offense by making 3-of-3 field goal attempts and 3-of-3 extra point attempts.
The Jaguars' defense struggled to bring Wilson down throughout most of the game. Jacksonville produced just two sacks in the Week 14 clash. Wilson was also able to pick up 50 rushing yards on five carries.
Wilson's mobility helped the Seahawks complete two big touchdown passes in the second half.
Wilson's top receiving option was wide receiver Doug Baldwin, who made a pair of highlight catches against the Jaguars' defense. Baldwin finished with three catches for 78 yards and a touchdown.
Seahawks running back Mike Davis collected 66 yards on 15 carries. The Seahawks produced 141 rushing yards against the Jaguars' defense.
The Jaguars were penalized five times for 38 yards. The Seahawks were flagged four times for 27 yards.
GAME RECAP
After the Jaguars and the Seahawks traded punts to start the game, Jacksonville's offense woke up for the game's first scoring drive.
Bortles led a nine-play, 73-yard drive that was capped by a 38-yard field goal by kicker Josh Lambo. The drive was highlighted by a 34-yard run by running back Chris Ivory. The one play picked up more yardage than Ivory produced during the Jaguars' last four games combined.
Following the successful field goal attempt, the Jaguars led 3-0 with 6:26 left in the first quarter.
The Seahawks struggled to answer the Jaguars' initial score throughout the first half.
When Seattle was finally making some progress in the second quarter, Wilson heaved a pass to the end zone for wide receiver Doug Baldwin, who was covered by Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
The defensive back picked off the pass in the end zone, giving possession back to the Jacksonville offense with 6:08 left in the first half. Despite the turnover, the Jaguars' offense failed to add to the Jacksonville lead.
On the Seahawks' next drive, a trio of big chunk plays by running back Mike Davis put Seattle in Jacksonville territory just before the two-minute warning. Seahawks kicker Blair Walsh was eventually able to attempt a 38-yard field goal but missed.
The Jaguars took a 3-0 lead into halftime.
The Seahawks started the second half with the ball. However, Wilson threw his second interception of the game just a few plays into the drive. The quarterback targeted tight end Jimmy Graham but cornerback A.J. Bouye came up with the catch.
A personal foul penalty on the Seahawks moved the ball into Seattle territory following the interception. The Jaguars' offense then took advantage.
Bortles led a five-play, 42-yard touchdown drive on the next series. The quarterback hit Westbrook for the rookie's first career touchdown catch. The 18-yard score and a successful extra point attempt put the Jaguars up 10-0 with 12:02 left in the third quarter.
The Seahawks finally made a big play to bounce back on offense. Wilson connected with Baldwin for a 43-yard completion, placing the Seahawks in the red zone. Seattle eventually allowed Walsh to attempt a 28-yard field goal. The kicker converted, making the score 10-3 with 8:30 left in the third quarter.
The momentum continued to move in Seattle's favor on the kickoff. Jaguars running back Corey Grant returned the kickoff and fumbled near the 25-yard line. The Seahawks were able to recover the ball deep in Jacksonville territory.
After just two plays, the Seahawks found the end zone for the first time in the game. Wilson hit Baldwin for a 26-yard touchdown. The extra point was good, tying the game at 10-10 with 7:32 left in the third quarter.
The Jaguars' offense came roaring back with a big play to start and finish the drive. Bortles hit Cole for a 75-yard touchdown. The score and an extra point put the Jaguars up, 17-10, with 7:21 left in the third quarter.
The Jaguars' defense held firm on the next drive, forcing the Seahawks to punt to wide receiver Jaydon Mickens. The punt returner picked up 72 yards on the play. With the ball at the Seattle one-yard line, Fournette picked up a touchdown on the only play of the drive. Following the extra point, the Jaguars led 24-10 with 5:37 left in the game.
The Jaguars then picked up another takeaway on the next drive. Bouye picked off another overthrown ball by Wilson. The interception was Wilson's third of the afternoon.
The Jaguars eventually added to their lead, as kicker Josh Lambo nailed a 51-yard field goal with 10:04 left in the game.
Following the a big kickoff return by the Seahawks, Wilson hit wide receiver Paul Richardson for a 61-yard touchdown completion. After an extra point, the Seahawks trailed 27-17 with 9:48 left in the game.
The Jaguars' offense failed to slow down after the Seahawks' score. Bortles led a nine-play, 54-yard drive that was capped by a 32-yard field goal by Lambo.
The Seahawks went to the air on the next drive. Wilson hit wide receiver Tyler Lockett for a 74-yard touchdown. An extra point put the score at 30-24 with 3:42 left in the game.
In the closing seconds, a scrum broke out on the field. Seahawks defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson was ejected for throwing a punch.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Cornerback A.J. Bouye collected two interceptions against Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. He now has six interceptions on the season.
PLAY OF THE GAME
The Seahawks' offense put up 10 points over the span of roughly a minute in the third quarter. Bortles answered with a 75-yard touchdown pass to Cole. The score put the Jaguars up 17-10 with 7:22 left in the third period.
STAT OF THE GAME
The two teams scored just three total points in the first half. The two squads then scored 51 points in the second half.
INJURY UPDATES
The Jaguars were without wide receiver Allen Hurns (ankle) and linebacker Telvin Smith (concussion protocol) due to injury.
Wide receiver Larry Pinkard was evaluated for a concussion in the second quarter. He was eventually ruled out.
Follow Mike Kaye on Twitter at @Mike_E_Kaye.