ARLINGTON, Tex. – The performance of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2023 Preseason Week 1 was a mixed bag, but there were definitely more positives than negatives.
In their first outing against another team, the Jaguars’ starters managed to secure an eight-point lead, ultimately resulting in a 28-23 victory over the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Saturday evening, witnessed by a crowd of 81,204.
Jaguars Head Coach Doug Pederson acknowledged the ups and downs of the game, stating, “There were certainly some good moments and some areas that need improvement. Overall, we have plenty of things to work on, but we can also take away some positives.”
The Jaguars’ starting offense was substituted with 3:46 remaining in the first quarter, having already secured an 8-0 lead after an efficient touchdown drive in their third and final series.
Trevor Lawrence, the Jaguars’ quarterback, showed promise with his performance. He completed five out of six passes for 36 yards across three series. Although he threw an interception on his first pass of the game, he redeemed himself by throwing for touchdowns on his last two attempts.
Reflecting on the team’s win, Lawrence said, “While preseason games may not count towards our regular-season record, it’s always satisfying to come away with a victory and boost team morale.”
The Jaguars’ defense played an important role as well, shutting out the Cowboys in the first quarter and even securing a sack.
The early lead was made possible through a remarkable play from wide receiver Tim Jones, who forced a fumble by Cowboys punt returner KaVontae Turpin. Jaguars cornerback Gregory Junior recovered the ball at the Dallas 42, setting up a six-play drive that culminated in Lawrence’s nine-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Christian Kirk. Kirk was wide open in the back of the end zone thanks to Lawrence’s solid protection on the crucial 4th-and-3 play.
