JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser examines five key plays from the Jaguars’ 26-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers in a 2025 Week 1 game at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville Sunday
1. Huuuuuuuge run. The Jaguars wanted to run Sunday. They established that in the first half –and a huge running play helped them take control of the game shortly after a second-quarter lightning delay. With the Jaguars leading 10-3 and having forced a punt on the first Panthers post-delay possession, running back Travis Etienne Jr. took a handoff and broke free through the middle of the line for a 71-yard gain to the Panthers 20-yard line. "I have to get 20 more yards on that," Etienne said. "I saw that I got to 20 miles per hour, but clearly that's not enough. I have to get in there Monday, get some 1080s, keep working on my speed because we can't have that anymore. We have to finish those runs, man." Wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. three plays later scored on a nine-yard reverse run. Drive summary: Four plays, 91 yards, all rushing. Etienne rushed for 143 yards on 16 carries Sunday, with the Jaguars' 200 yards rushing their most since rushing for 243 in a 2022 Week 6 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. "You could feel him all day," Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen said of Etienne, whose 14- and 17-yard runs on a late fourth-quarter drive led to a field goal that secured the victory. "Proud of him. He did a great job, but the whole unit through the end of the game ran the ball effectively."