A big night from Philip Rivers and a scoreless second half by the Jaguars resulted in a 24 point home loss to the San Diego Chargers on Monday Night Football. The Jags could not re-create the Monday night magic from earlier in the season, when they upset the Baltimore Ravens on the primetime national stage.
Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers finished the evening with 294 yards and three touchdowns. The Jaguars defensive backfield has been hobbled all year. Even the backups are dealing with injuries at this point, and Rivers targeted Ashton Youboty and company en route to a big evening for San Diego. A Ryan Matthews 31 yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter added to the lead, icing the 38-14 win for the Chargers.
One week after being benched by Jack Del Rio, quarterback Blaine Gabbert went 19 of 33 for 195 yards. He threw two touchdowns in the second quarter, as the Jags responded to an early 10-0 deficit to take the lead. Rivers, however, would answer right back with two touchdown passes of his own, both coming with under two minutes remaining in the half. San Diego would never look back, as the Jags offense went dormant again in the second half.
Jacksonville now sits at 3-9 with four games remaining for interim coach Mel Tucker. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit next Sunday.
For more news, discussion, and analysis on the Jaguars, visit SB Nation's Jags blog Big Cat Country. For more on the Jaguars Opponent, visit SB Nation's San Diego Chargers blog, Bolts From The Blue.