Late field goal lifts Ravens to 19-17 win at Jags
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—Justin Tucker kicked a 54-yard field goal with 1:02 remaining, lifting the Baltimore Ravens to a 19-17 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
Tucker raised both arms in celebration as his fourth field goal of the day split the uprights with plenty of distance. The Ravens improved to 3-0 for the third time in franchise history and first since 2009.
The Jaguars fell to 0-3 for the third time in the last four years and surely will hear more talk about coach Gus Bradley's job security. Bradley is now 12-39 in four seasons, the second-worst winning percentage of any NFL coach with at least 50 games.
Tucker also made kicks of 43, 42 and 37 yards.
The Jaguars had plenty of chances to win this one in a wild fourth quarter. They forced three consecutive turnovers in the final frame, but only got a field goal out of it. Blake Bortles threw two interceptions that ended drives in Baltimore territory, and Jason Myers had a 52-yard field goal blocked.
FRANCHISE RECORD
Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco broke his own franchise record for consecutive completions by connecting on 21 straight. Flacco misfired on four of his first five throws Sunday, but then reeled off 21 in a row. The streak ended on Mike Wallace's drop in the end zone early in the third quarter. The Ravens settled for a field goal and a 16-7 lead. Flacco's previous record was 14 straight set in 2009.
PENALTY BOOST
Tucker's 42-yard field goal at the end of the first half was huge, and it was helped by two Jacksonville penalties. The Jaguars looked like they had forced a three-and-out, but Malik Jackson was flagged for roughing the passer when he touched Flacco's facemask. Tucker was short on a 57-yarder a few plays later, but Dante Fowler Jr. was called for unsportsmanlike conduct for "leveraging" during the kick. The 15-yard penalty gave Tucker another shot from 42 yards, and he drilled it.
WOE LINE
Injuries forced the Jaguars to shuffle their offensive line for the first time this season. Left tackle Kelvin Beachum (concussion) and center Brandon Linder (knee) were inactive, leaving center Tyler Shatley and guard Chris Reed to make their first career starts. The injuries also forced guard Luke Joeckel to slide back to left tackle. Bortles was sacked four times.
SLOW START
Bortles now has thrown first-quarter interceptions in every game this season, leading to 17 points for opponents. Ravens linebacker C.J. Mosley had the latest, making a leaping, one-handed catch in front of Robinson down the field. The Ravens turned it into a field goal and a 10-0 lead.