Leftwich might not ever come close to Elway's record 47 comebacks or statistics that make him one of the greatest of all time, but it was his first of what is expected to be many magnificent moments. Coming into the final two minutes of the game, Leftwich had thrown for just 75 yards, and was responsible for two interceptions. On the final drive, however, he lead the Jags 80 yards down the field. The drive included a 45 yard bomb on 4th-and-14, that Jimmy Smith came down with, a completion to Troy Edwards on 4th-and-2, and was capped off by another fourth-down completion from the 7-yard line to rookie Ernest Wilford in the back of the end zone as time expired, giving the Jaguars a thrilling 13-10 victory.
The offense struggled a majority of the game. Fred Taylor, who missed the final two preseason games and only received six carries all preseason, was not able to get anything started. Rumors were that he was hampered by a foot sprain. He ran 17 times for just 61 yards. This marks the first time since Jack Del Rio replaced Tom Coughlin that the Jaguars won a game when Taylor carried the ball less than 24 times. It also marks Jack Del Rio's first ever victory on the road. Jacksonville finished a pitiful 0-8 in contests away from Alltel Stadium last year.
The defense put forth a tremendous effort. Pass rush was a huge question mark coming into the season opener. The Jags had released both of their starting defensive ends just a month before the regular season was ready to begin. Tony Brackens and Hugh Douglas are long gone, but the team is happy with the guys they have now. Lionel Barnes recorded a key sack inside the red zone during the fourth quarter, holding the Bills to just a field goal. Donovin Darius recovered two fumbles, one also coming inside the red zone during the fourth quarter. Linebackers Mike Peterson and Akin Ayodele both reached double digit tackles.
Another question mark coming into this season was the kicking game. For the third-straight year, the Jags were opening the season with an unproven rookie kicker. The question may have been answered, as Josh Scobee has not missed a kick since the second preseason game. He hit from 25 and 27 yards, and all of his kickoffs reached the end zone.
The Jaguars have been drawing comparisons to the 2003 Carolina Panthers the entire offseason. It's interesting that the Panthers did the same thing to the Jags last year during week one that the Jags did to the Bills on Sunday, when they came from behind after the offense struggled the entire game and score on a last-second touchdown. They also did something not even the defending champion Patriots could do last year. That would be winning a road opener in Buffalo. Are these signs of things to come? Maybe.
Next Week : Home vs. Denver (1-0)