The Jaguars’ home field has been the only place where they’ve found answers against New England, and that’s the backdrop as Jacksonville gets set to host the Patriots again after a crushing road loss. The series has tilted heavily the other way - the Patriots lead 12-3 in 15 meetings - but the Jags’ three wins all came in Jacksonville.
That history starts with a postseason win that still stands out. In the AFC Wild Card game on January 3, 1999, Jacksonville beat New England 25-10 in front of 71,139.
The Jaguars controlled the game with 17 first downs, 308 total net yards, and 32 minutes of possession, while the Patriots finished with 14 first downs, 206 net yards, and 28 minutes of possession. Fred Taylor and Jimmy Smith each scored touchdowns.
Mark Brunell went 14-for-34 for 161 yards and was sacked twice for a loss of 13 yards. Taylor piled up 162 rushing yards, Keenan McCardell led the receivers with 72 yards, and Mike Hollis made all four of his field goal attempts.
Chris Hudson added a 17-yard interception, and Tony Brackens and Joel Smeenge each got to Scott Zolak for sacks that totaled 19 yards.
The next Jaguars win over New England didn’t come until 2018, and it was a much different kind of offensive showcase. Jacksonville beat the Patriots 31-20 on September 16 at home before 68,527 fans.
Donte Moncrief, Keelan Cole, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, and Dede Westbrook all found the end zone. Blake Bortles completed 29 of 45 passes for 376 yards.
T.J. Yeldon led the ground game with 58 yards, while Cole paced the receivers with 116.
Josh Lambo converted the field goal try, and D.J. Hayden plus Dante Fowler Jr. each recorded sacks on Tom Brady for a combined loss of 14 yards.
Telvin Smith and Myles Jack both finished with eight total tackles.
Jacksonville’s most recent home win over New England came in London, but it still counted as the designated home game for the Jaguars. The Patriots grabbed a 10-0 lead early, with the first quarter featuring Devin Lloyd’s sack of Drake Maye and a Jamycal Hasty touchdown for New England on the opening drive, which was the team’s first time doing so for the season.
But the Jaguars answered after Cam Robinson was evaluated for a concussion. Gabe Davis picked up a first down, Christian Kirk gained 20 yards, D’Ernest Johnson moved the chains, and Tank Bigsby added another first down before Trevor Lawrence hit Brian Thomas Jr. in the end zone.
From there, the offense kept rolling. Lawrence connected with Thomas again for a 58-yard gain, then Bigsby punched it in to give Jacksonville the lead.
Eight minutes later, Parker Washington returned a punt 96 yards, and Lawrence found Thomas for the two-point conversion. Cam Little pushed the margin to 25-10 in the third quarter.
New England scored at the start of the fourth, but Bigsby answered with another touchdown with 1:45 left.
Here’s how the full series has gone:
10/20/2024 New England Patriots - 16 Jacksonville Jaguars - 32
01/02/2022 Jacksonville Jaguars - 10 New England Patriots - 50
09/16/2018 New England Patriots - 20 Jacksonville Jaguars - 31
01/21/2018 Jacksonville Jaguars - 20 New England Patriots - 24
09/27/2015 Jacksonville Jaguars - 17 New England Patriots - 51
12/23/2012 New England Patriots - 23 Jacksonville Jaguars - 16
12/27/2009 Jacksonville Jaguars - 7 New England Patriots - 35
01/12/2008 Jacksonville Jaguars - 20 New England Patriots - 31
12/24/2006 New England Patriots - 24 Jacksonville Jaguars - 21
01/07/2006 Jacksonville Jaguars - 3 New England Patriots - 28
12/14/2003 Jacksonville Jaguars - 13 New England Patriots - 27
01/03/1999 New England Patriots - 10 Jacksonville Jaguars - 25
12/07/1997 New England Patriots - 26 Jacksonville Jaguars - 20
01/12/1997 Jacksonville Jaguars 6 New England Patriots - 20
09/22/1996 Jacksonville Jaguars - 25 New England Patriots - 28
There’s also a long list of players who have suited up for both teams over the years, including Eric Alexander, Kyle Brady, Malcom Brown, Sergio Brown, K’Lavon Chaisson, Eugene Chung, Landon Cohen, Harry Colon, Mike Compton, Daniel Connolly, Carl Davis, Cody Davis, Brandon Deaderick, Joshua Dobbs, Phillip Dorsett, A.J. Edds, Marc Edwards, Daniel Ekuale, Derrick Fletcher, Kai Forbath, Joe Giles-Harris, Jonas Gray, Rich Griffith, Chris Hanson, Clay Harbor, JaMycal Hasty, Tae Hayes, Jacob Hollister, D’Ernest Johnson, Mac Jones, Cody Kessler, Jeff Kopp, Kyle Love, Omare Lowe, Cassius Marsh, Jakobi Meyers, Antwaun Molden, Donte Moncrief, Will Moore, Chad Muma, Yannick Ngakoue, Taylor Price, Jabaal Sheard, Stephen Spach, Akeem Spence, Isaiah Stanback, J.J.
Stokes, Jahlani Tavai, Fred Taylor, Tiquan Underwood, Mickey Washington, Dekoda Watson, Tracy White, and D.J. Williams.
In Other News...
Jaguars Uniform Schedule Leaves Door Open For A Fan-Favorite Return
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What makes the announcement interesting for fans is what still isnt locked in. Jacksonville has two alternate-uniform chances left on the calendar, leaving open the possibility of another return for a look that has long had plenty of support around the fan base. The all-black uniforms remain a candidate, and with two slots still available, the Jaguars have left themselves room to decide how bold they want to get later in the season. [Read more 🡒]
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Instead, the usage has been more split than seamless. Etienne has been on the field for 57% of the snaps and has shared touches with other backs, while his yards per touch is lagging behind last seasons pace. It is still far too early to label the contract a success or a miss, but the first glimpse of this new partnership has not exactly calmed the questions around how New Orleans plans to use him. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Offense Faces An Early Trevor Lawrence Test In New England
Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars offense head into Foxborough facing an early-season measuring stick against a Patriots defense that should ask different questions than the ones Jacksonville has seen so far. New England brings Drake Maye into the spotlight on the other side, but the more immediate issue for the Jaguars is whether Lawrence can handle the pressure, get the ball out on time and keep the offense on schedule in a game that figures to be shaped by field position and patience.
For Jacksonville, this is the kind of matchup that can reveal whether the system is settling in or still searching for answers. The Patriots are the sort of opponent that can force a quarterback to win with discipline rather than splash plays, and the Jaguars will need their passing game to stay ahead of the sticks while the staff weighs how aggressive to be. It is only Week 3, but games like this can tell a team plenty about where its offense really stands. [Read more 🡒]