JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars’ starting unit faded after a fast start. The New York Giants were the opposite, scoring on four consecutive series after being stopped on their opening drive.
Eli Manning only played two series and produced three points before taking the rest of the night off in the Giants’ 32-21 loss in both teams’ preseason opener. New York (No. 3 in the AP Pro32) built a 17-point first half lead, but Jacksonville (No. 31 in the AP Pro32) responded with an 18-point second half to earn the victory.
Manning was 4 of 8 for 60 yards and a passer rating of 75.0. The Giants were forced to punt in their first series, but Manning directed a drive into the red zone on the next series before settling for a field goal.
Jacksonville quarterback Blaine Gabbert was sharp in directing an 89-yard touchdown drive in 13 plays on the Jaguars’ first series. But that was the extent of his success as the next two drives were halted by lost fumbles, the second one by Gabbert.