Jacksonville Jaguars Host Final Preseason Game Against Buccaneers

At home, the Jacksonville Jaguars faced their in-state foes the tampa bay buccaneers for both teams fourth and final preseason game where neither team played its key starters. The contest was the second preseason clash for both sides this year and took place in a reserve-heavy environment as attention started to widen towards the new faces that look set to make up their respective rosters.

Traveling from Tampa to Jacksonville, the Buccaneers rested their starters for the second consecutive game after keeping them out of action in last week's win over the Bengals. And following that same outlook, the Jaguars decided to sit most of their starting lineup as well. The resolution followed a week's worth of joint practices -- which were notably light on tempers, painting an oddly serene backdrop for Saturday night.

The Bucs won the toss and elected to receive before kickoff, which got this game underway in earnest. Tucker returned the opening kickoff 25 yards to the ball out of his own endzone. The Bucs put a little bit of each — run and pass -- on display offensively, with much the hitting plays coming from guys fighting for their roster lives. That pushed the Cowboys into a first down at their 16, and Bucky Irving dashed up the middle for six yards before another five-yard gain on its second straight run gave UW another first down.

But the passing game ran into trouble, as quarterback Trask had passes for freshman Jalen McMillan fall incomplete including a key third-down pass that forced Washington to punt. Jaguars punt returner parker washington called for a fair catch after the Bucs punted, so Jacksonville will take over at its own 11.

The Jacksonville Jaguars host the preseason game that means more than any of the four... First off, it presents a great chance for the coaching staff to gauge some new faces as well as each player in their backup roles on both offense and defense. With the regular season drawing near, experiences like this are vital for fine-tuning and getting ready to make final roster choices.

It will be interesting to watch as the game unfolds and both teams use their young core of players in addition to how these players prove themselves when the lights come on. That will be especially significant for the Jaguars -- The formations and how players reacted could give Jacksonville some insight into what their regular season philosophical approach against Jackson & Co.

Better still: the fans, those covering and analyzing Jaguars training camp — not just keeping track of a score but how those depth who are trying to make an impression before time runs out on their tenures. The roster lacks star power, but the game means plenty of new opportunities for many players about to start their careers (while they keep battling) in professional football.