Jacksonville Jaguars in NFL season openers: They haven't been good ... but not bad, either

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Jacksonville Jaguars in NFL season openers: They haven't been good ... but not bad, either

Tim Walters, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union · The Florida Times-Union

Thu, Sep 4, 2025 ·

14 min read

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When the Jaguars open the 2025 season against the Carolina Panthers , it will be the first time since 2020 the Jaguars have started a season at home.

The Jaguars are 15-15 on opening day.

They lost their first-ever game to the Houston Oilers, then rattled off six straight Week 1 victories.

It will be the third time the Jaguars have opened a season against Carolina . They have played 19 different teams on opening week.

The Jaguars have played the Colts the most on Week 1, with four. They've played The Tennessee Titans three times in Week 1.

Their best showing is 2-0 over the Steelers.

Here's a breakdown of all the Week 1s in Jaguars history:

A referee performs the coin toss to start the Jacksonville Jaguars' first regular-season home game against the Houston Oilers in Alltel Stadium on Sept. 3, 1995.

1995: Oilers 10, Jaguars 3

In Jacksonville , the Jaguars played their first-ever game at home at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, now known as EverBank Stadium. The first play in Jaguars history was a 67-yard kickoff by Mike Hollis. Houston took the ball 78 yards in 13 plays and grabbed a 7-0 lead at 6:43 in the first quarter when quarterback Chris Chandler connected with Haywood Jeffires for a 4-yard touchdown. On the Jaguars' first-ever offensive play, Steve Beuerlein's pass to Ernest Givens was incomplete. The game didn't get very entertaining after that and went to halftime 7-0. Houston extended its lead when Al Del Greco booted a 19-yard field goal at the 5:22 mark in the third quarter. After an ineffective first half and first series of the second half, Beuerlein was benched in favor of Mark Brunell. Brunell was more effective in moving the ball and got the Jaguars down to the 8 early in the fourth quarter, but they had to settle for a 26-yard Hollis field goal. The Jaguars never threatened after that and lost their inaugural game. It wouldn't be until Week 5 of the 1995 season that the Jaguars would get their first win as a franchise — against the very same Oilers, this time in Houston.

Running Week 1 tally:0-1

1996: Jaguars 24, Steelers 9

In Jacksonville, Mark Brunell led the Jaguars to their first opening day victory with a 20-for-31 effort for 212 yards, two touchdowns and two INTs. He also rushed for 41 yards. The Jaguars' defense was smothering, allowing just 107 yards passing by Jim Miller and Mike Tomczak. Kevin Hardy had an interception. The Steelers were also limited to 97 yards rushing, led by Jerome Bettis' 57 yards. For the Jags, James Stewart had a rushing touchdown while Keenan McCardell and Willie Jackson had one receiving touchdown each. And for the second year in a row, Mike Hollis had a Week 1 field goal.

Running Week 1 tally:1-1

1997: Jaguars 28, Ravens 27

In Baltimore , Jacksonville won a back-and-forth game by taking a lead for good at 5:47 in the fourth quarter. Rob Johnson completed a pass to Jimmy Smith for a 28-yard touchdown, and Mike Hollis hit the all-important extra point to propel the Jaguars to victory. Johnson finished 20-for-24 for 294 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 31 yards with a touchdown. Smith finished with 106 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Natrone Means also had a rushing touchdown.

Running Week 1 tally:2-1

1998: Jaguars 24, Bears 23

In Chicago, another back-and-forth Week 1 affair, Mark Brunell hit Jimmy Smith for a 4-yard touchdown with 33 seconds to play in the game, and Mike Hollis' extra point once again propelled the team to victory. Brunell had 207 yards, two TDs and two INTs, Smith had nine receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown, and James Stewart had 115 rushing yards and a touchdown, with a receiving touchdown as well. Hollis added a 23-yard FG.

Running Week 1 tally:3-1

1999: Jaguars 41, 49ers 3

In Jacksonville, Mr. Week 1 Mike Hollis had four field goals in a rout where the special teams had a touchdown and the defense scored a touchdown. The 49ers actually led in this game — 3-0 — at 7:38 in the first quarter. It was all downhill from there for the 49ers. Jason Craft recovered a fumble on a kickoff and took it 23 yards for a score while Aaron Beasley returned an interception 93 yards for a score. Mark Brunell threw for 265 yards and a touchdown, James Stewart rushed for a score and Damon Jones hauled in a TD reception.

Running Week 1 tally:4-1

Sep 3, 2000; Cleveland, OH, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mark Brunell (8) throws in the pocket against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Jaguars beat the Browns 27-7. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

2000: Jaguars 27, Browns 7

In Cleveland, Mark Brunell and Jimmy Smith connected for another Week 1 TD, Mike Hollis had two field goals, including a 50-yarder, and Stacey Mack and Chris Howard each rushed for touchdowns in a rout. Brunell had 301 yards passing and Keenan McCardell had 115 yards receiving on nine receptions. It was the Jaguars' fifth year in a row winning on opening day.

Running Week 1 tally:5-1

2001: Jaguars 21, Steelers 3

In Jacksonville: once again, Mark Brunell and Jimmy Smith dominated an opening day. The pair connected for TDs of 34 and 15 yards, and Brunell also linked up with Damon Jones for a 1-yard TD pass as the Jaguars defeated the Steelers for the second time on an opening day. Mike Hollis had three extra points and the Steelers never really threatened in this one. The Jags scored all 21 of their points in the second quarter. They also intercepted Steelers QB Kordell Stewart twice, with Hardy Nickerson grabbing one, and Donovin Darius grabbing the other.

Running Week 1 tally:6-1

2002: Colts 28, Jaguars 25

In Jacksonville, the Jaguars held a 17-14 lead in the third quarter, but Peyton Manning was too much as he threw for 211 yards and three touchdowns. Qadry Ismail had two TD receptions and Marvin Harrison added one. Fred Taylor scored a late TD and the Jags converted the 2-point try, and they got the ball back with 1:02 to play, but couldn't get into field goal position for a potential tie.

Running Week 1 tally: 6-2

2003: Panthers 24, Jaguars 23

In Charlotte, North Carolina, the Panthers scored a touchdown with 16 seconds to play in the game and failed on the two-point conversion, but held on for the victory. Mark Brunell was an impressive 23-for-27 for 272 yards and two touchdowns. The Panthers' Stephen Davis was near unstoppable, accounting for 111 rushing yards on 2 carries. Jake Delhomme certainly wasn't impressive, going 12-for-20 for 122 yards, three TDs and two INTs, but his 12-yard TD pass to Ricky Proehl was the nail in the coffin for the Jaguars.

Running Week 1 tally:6-3

2004: Jaguars 13, Bills 10

In Buffalo, Byron Leftwich found Ernest Wilford in the end zone for a 7-yard touchdown with 4 seconds to play in the game, propelling Jacksonville past Buffalo. Leftwich had just 147 yards passing with the touchdown and two interceptions. Rookie kicker Josh Scobee hit field goals of 25 and 27 yards.

Running Week 1 tally:7-3

Jaguars safety Donovin Darius reacts after making a play against the Seahawks in 2005.

2005: Jaguars 26, Seahawks 14

In Jacksonville, Byron Leftwich connected with Jimmy Smith for two touchdowns and Josh Scobee booted four field goals to lead the way. Leftwich had 252 yards and two TDs while Smith had 7 receptions for 130 yards and two TDs. Scobee hit FGs of 23, 41, 29 and 41.

Running Week 1 tally:8-3

2006: Jaguars 24, Cowboys 17

In Jacksonville, Byron Leftwich threw for a touchdown and ran for another as Jacksonville rolled. Dallas scored a touchdown late to make the score seem closer than the game was. Fred Taylor added a rushing touchdown.

Running Week 1 tally:9-3

2007: Titans 13, Jaguars 10

In Jacksonville, David Garrard led a sluggish Jaguars offense to the tune of 204 passing yards and a touchdown to John Broussard. Tennessee took a 13-10 lead on a Vince Young keeper late in the third quarter, and neither team could do much in the fourth as the game ended without another point being scored. Jacksonville managed only 53 rushing yards.

Running Week 1 tally:9-4

2008: Titans 17, Jaguars 10

In Nashville, Tennessee, for the second straight year the Jags' offense sputtered and the Titans gained a not spectacular victory. Jacksonville had a short-lived lead when David Garrard connected with Greg Jones for an early second-quarter touchdown. They could only muster a late fourth quarter field goal the rest of the way. Garrard threw two interceptions and was sacked seven times.

Running Week 1 tally:9-5

2009: Colts 14, Jaguars 12

In Indianapolis, another lackluster start to the season as the Jaguars fell to the Peyton Manning-led Colts. David Garrard had just 122 yards passing and the teams rushed for just 36 yards. Yet, the Jaguars had a chance to tie the game when Maurice Jones-Drew scored a touchdown at the 11:07 mark in the fourth quarter. Jones-Drew was stopped on the two-point run try and they couldn't get in field goal position after that.

Running Week 1 tally:9-6

JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 12: Daryl Smith #52 of the Jacksonville Jaguars celebrates after making an interception during the NFL season opener game against the Denver Broncos at EverBank Field on September 12, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

2010: Jaguars 24, Broncos 17

In Jacksonville, David Garrard had an efficient 170 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Jaguars to their first opening day victory in four years. Marcedes Lewis caught two passes — both touchdowns — accounting for 31 yards. Kassim Osgood had the other TD reception. Tim Tebow got in on the action, rushing for 2 yards on two carries.

Running Week 1 tally:10-6

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Marc Mariani (83) lets a pass bounce off of his hand as he is defended by Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Daryl Smith (52) in the third quarter during their game at EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011 in Jacksonville, Fla.

2011: Jaguars 16, Titans 14

In Jacksonville, journeyman QB Luke McCown made his Jags opening day start debut, managing the offense with 175 yards and no TDs or INTs. He left it up to Josh Scobee, who hit three field goals, and Maurice Jones-Drew, who rushed for 97 yards and a touchdown. The Jags had six players account for six sacks on Titans QB Matt Hasselbeck .

Running Week 1 tally:11-6

2012: Vikings 26, Jaguars 23, OT

In Minneapolis, Minnesota, it took 18 years, but the Jaguars had an overtime opener. Unfortunately, it didn't go in their favor. Blaine Gabbert threw for 260 yards and a touchdown and Josh Scobee made three field goals, but it wasn't enough. The Jaguars trailed 20-15 but scored a touchdown with 20 seconds to play in the game. Gabbert connected with Justin Blackmon on the 2-point conversion and the Jags led 23-20. On the ensuing kickoff, the Vikings returned the ball to the Jags' 35. Christian Ponder then connected on a 26-yard pass and a 6-yard pass to set up a long field goal attempt with one second to play in the game. Blair Walsh converted the 55-yard try to tie the game and send it to OT, and his fourth FG of the game, a 38-yarder, proved to be the winner. The Jags got a chance with the ball after the Walsh FG, but they sputtered and lost.

Running Week 1 tally:11-7

2013: Chiefs 28, Jaguars 2

In Jacksonville, the Jaguars grabbed an early 2-0 lead when J.T. Thomas blocked a punt out of bounds in the end zone for a safety at the 12:26 mark of the first quarter. After that, it was all Chiefs. Alex Smith threw two touchdowns, Jamaal Charles ran for a score and Tamba Hall returned a Blaine Gabbert INT for a touchdown. Gabbert finished with two INTs and 121 yards passing.

Running Week 1 tally:11-8

2014: Eagles 34, Jaguars 17

In Philadelphia, things looked good early when Chad Henne and Allen Hurns connected for two touchdowns in the first quarter and Josh Scobee hit a field goal to start the second quarter and the Jags led 17-0. The Eagles then took over, with Nick Foles throwing for 322 yards and two touchdowns and Darren Sproles rushing for a score. The Eagles sealed the win late in the fourth quarter when Trent Cole sacked Henne, who fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Fletcher Cox , who took the ball 17 yards for a score.

Running Week 1 tally:11-9

2015: Panthers 20, Jaguars 9

In Jacksonville, Blake Bortles threw for just 183 yards, a TD and 2 INTs and the Jaguars rushed for just 96 yards in a game the team trailed just 10-9 at the half. The Panthers' offense wasn't much better, but the game was sealed when Josh Norman returned a third-quarter Bortles INT 30 yards for a touchdown.

Running Week 1 tally:11-10

2016: Packers 27, Jaguars 23

In Jacksonville, the Jaguars put up a good fight in a back-and-forth game, but in the end Aaron Rogers was an efficient 20-for-34 for 199 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Packers. Blake Bortles had 320 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Jason Myers had three field goals for the Jaguars.

Running Week 1 tally:11-11

HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Chris Ivory #33 of the Jacksonville Jaguars runs the ball in the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

2017: Jaguars 29, Texans 7

In Houston, Dante Fowler returned a fumble 53 yards for a touchdown, Leonard Fournette rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown and Blake Bortles threw for 125 yards and a score in a complete team effort. Calais Campbell had four sacks, Yannick Ngakoue had two and the Jags finished with 10 total. Jason Myers added three field goals.

Running Week 1 tally:12-11

2018: Jaguars 20, N.Y. Giants 15

In East Rutherford, New Jersey, Myles Jack returned an Eli Manning INT 32 yards for a score to give the Jags some fourth-quarter breathing room. Blake Bortles added a one-yard TD pass to T.J. Yeldon and Josh Lambo booted twin 39-yard field goals.

Running Week 1 tally:13-11

2019: Chiefs 40, Jaguars 26

In Jacksonville, Sammy Watkins was unstoppable as he brought in nine catches for 198 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes ended with 378 yards passing. Gardner Minshew had a good day in relief of Nick Foles, who left the game early with a broken collar bone, going 22-for-25 for 275 yards, 2 TDs and an INT, but it wasn't nearly enough.

Running Week 1 tally:13-12

2020: Jaguars 27, Colts 20

In Jacksonville, Gardner Minshew was an impressive 19-for-20 for 173 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Jaguars to victory. Laviska Shenault , Keelan Cole and DJ Chark each had a touchdown reception. Despite the hopeful start, the Jaguars went on to lose their remaining 15 games.

Running Week 1 tally:14-12

Sep 12, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

2021: Texans 37, Jaguars 21

In Houston, the Urban Meyer era got off to an inauspicious start as Houston soundly defeated the Jaguars. Rookie Trevor Lawrence debuted going 28-for-51 for 332 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. The 332 yards was the most he threw for in 2021. The Jaguars rushed for just 76 yards.

Running Week 1 tally:14-13

Sep 11, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) dives for the end zone in front of Washington Commanders linebacker Jamin Davis (52) during the second half at FedExField. Kris was ruled out of bounds on the play. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports

2022: Commanders 28, Jaguars 22

In the Nation's Capitol, Jacksonville led 22-14 early in the fourth quarter but Carson Wentz led a comeback and threw two late touchdown passes as Washington won its first game with the Commanders moniker. The Doug Pederson era started with a painful loss, but the team would go on to win the AFC south, so everything turned out OK.

Running Week 1 tally:14-14

2023: Jaguars 31, Colts 21

Trevor Lawrence threw for 241 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, to lead Jacksonville at Lucas Oil Stadium. Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby each added a rushing touchdown. Colts rookie Anthony Richardson struggled in his debut, throwing for 221 yards, a touchdown and an interception. With Jonathan Taylor sidelined with injury, the Colts never got a run game going. The tallied just 65 yards, 40 of which came from Richardson.

Running Week 1 tally:15-14

2024: Dolphins 20, Jaguars 17

In Miami , the Jaguars dominated this game for nearly three quarters, leading 17-7 with less than three minutes to go in the third quarter. That's when Travis Etienne, who looked destined to score a touchdown, fumbled into end zone, starting a massive collapse. The very next play, Tua Tagovailoa hit Tyreek Hill for an 80-yard touchdown. The game went to the fourth with the Jaguars leading 17-14, rather than 24-7. After the Dolphins tied the game with 4:22 remaining, Jason Sanders booted a 52-yard field goal as time expired to lift Miami.

Sept. 7, 2025: Panthers at Jaguars

This will be the third time these two teams have played on opening weekend. In 2003, the Jaguars played at Carolina and lost 24-23. In 2015, they played in Jacksonville, with the Panthers winning 20-9. These two teams will forever be linked as the entered the NFL together in 1995.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars season openers: How team has fared over the years

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