Denver vs JacksonvilleFIRST QUARTER (game report from
www.denverbroncos.com)
The Broncos kicked off to open the game and after a 34-yard return, the Jaguars started first-and-10 at their own 36.
Jacksonville quarterback Byron Leftwich went deep for wide receiver Jimmy Smith on the first play, but Broncos cornerback Lenny Walls was there on the coverage. Denver started with Walls and rookie Domonique Foxworth at corner for the injured Bailey and Williams.
A penalty and a short rush put the Jaguars into a third down situation. Leftwich went deep again on Walls’ side, finding wide receiver Reggie Williams. The Broncos challenged the play, saying the receiver did not get both feet in bounds. The officials agreed, bringing up a fourth down and a punt.
Wide receiver Charlie Adams took over the return duties in Williams’ absence and let the low, line drive role to a stop at the Broncos 14.
Quarterback Jake Plummer completed two passes to running back Mike Andersonfor a first down, then handed to the running back for the third play of the series. After a Ron Dayne carry, the Broncos faced third-and-one. Dayne carried again for no gain, bringing up fourth down.
The Jaguars went three-and-out on the next series, with defensive ends Trevor Pryce and Ebenezer Ekubanputting pressure on Leftwich on third down. After a 35-yard punt, the Broncos took over at the Jaguars 47 with 8:27 remaining in the quarter. The Broncos pounded the ball for another first down at the Jacksonville 25-yard line.
Denver however faced third-and-9 from the 23 a few plays later. Plummer’s pass for running back Tatum Bell was off the mark, bringing in Jason Elamfor a field goal attempt. The veteran missed the 41-yard attempt wide left.
The Jaguars took over at the 31-yard line.
It didn't take long for the defense to get a big play. On the first play, linebacker Al Wilson burst through the line and stripped the ball from Leftwich. The Broncos took over at the 31, but the offense was sent off the field after three plays.
Elam came back into the game, this time to attempt a 46-yarder. The Jaguars blocked the attempt.
The defense again rose to the occasion, holding running back Fred Taylor on first down and dropping wide receiver Matt Jones for a 7-yard loss on a trick play. Leftwich hit Taylor out of the backfield on third down for an 18-yard gain that fell just short of the first down.
Plummer was dropped for an 8-yard loss on the first play of the Broncos next drive. Bell ran for a gain of 12 on the next play, setting up third-and-6 from the Denver 24. Plummer hit wide receiver Rod Smith over the middle, who broke a tackle and dove across the line for a first down.
SECOND QUARTER
The Broncos continued the drive into the second quarter, but faced fourth down at the Jaguars 17 after an 8-yard completion from Plummer to Adams. The officials brought the chains in for a measurement and the Broncos were about a foot short of the first down. After two missed field goals, Denver left the offense on the field. Plummer lined up with Anderson in the backfield and handed it to the veteran running back who got a first down over right tackle.
Two plays later the Broncos were knocking on the door with first-and-goal at the Jacksonville 2.
Anderson ran to the left for no gain bringing up second down. This time, Plummer faked the handoff and found Dwayne Carswell in the front corner of the end zone.
The Broncos took a 7-0 lead with 6:48 remaining in the half. The score capped a 17-play, 80-yard drive.
The Jaguars next drive came to an end after a third-down incompletion thanks in large part to a blitz by Foxworth. The ball fluttered out of Leftwich’s hands on the play. Adams returned the ensuing punt to the Broncos 36, where Plummer and the offense set up first-and-10 with 4:38 remaining in the half.
Helped by a screen pass and a 16-yard run by Anderson, the Broncos worked to the Jaguars 20 with three minutes remaining in the second quarter. But the offense stalled, and Denver found itself in third-and-9 at the two-minute warning. Plummer lined up after the timeout with two receivers left and a Bell in the backfield. The quarterback gave to Bell on the stretch play which resulted in a 10-yard gain and a first down.
After a run up the middle by Anderson, Plummer lofted a ball into the end zone for Lelie. Jaguars cornerback Kenny Wright was called for pass interference n the play, giving the Broncos first-and-goal. Plummer fired a pass over the middle for Carswell again, for his second touchdown of the game. Carswell, an former tight end turned offensive tackle, comes into the game in goal line situations.
The Broncos took a 14-0 lead with less than a minute to go in the half.
Helped by a sack by sack by defensive tackle Gerard Warren, the defense forced another punt. Plummer took a knee to send the Broncos to the locker room with the lead.
THIRD QUARTER
The Broncos were forced to punt on the first possession of the second half and the Jaguars set up at the 34 for their first drive of the quarter.
Leftwich led the team out to the Denver 45 with completions to Williams and Jimmy Smith. With a first down in Broncos territory, Leftwich went deep down the left side for Smith, but the receiver was out of bounds on the play. On second down, the quarterback found Smith on a slant. He broke three tackles and crossed the field to an open running lane and a 45-yard touchdown.
Jacksonville closed the gap to 14-7 after the extra point.
