The Jacksonville Jaguars needed a fourth quarter comeback to pick up a 31-21 win against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1. Things may have gone a little more smoothly if it wasn’t for a couple big mistakes made by rookie running back Tank Bigsby.
It was the third-round pick’s dropped pass that resulted in Trevor Lawrence’s only interception of the day. But it was Bigsby’s baffling third quarter fumble that really turned the tides and handed the Colts the lead.
Buy Jaguars TicketsAfter Lawrence was hit from behind on a pass play, the ball was knocked free and bounced right into the arms of Bigsby. While many players on the field stopped, thinking the play was over, Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin ran to punch the ball out of Bigsby’s hands, freeing it to be scooped up by DeForest Buckner for an Indianapolis touchdown.
This might be the weirdest scoop and score ever 😳
📺: #JAXvsIND on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/G4uoYVOqQn pic.twitter.com/tWz4xGOjPU— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2023
“That’s a crazy play and one to learn from,” Lawrence said after the game. “It’s a shame it happened to a rookie because that would have been a tough play for anyone, really. You recover it, and you end up getting it punched out. Yeah, you learn from it and you move on.”
Bigsby’s redemption moment came in the fourth quarter when he bulldozed through traffic for a 4-yard gain that set up a first-and-goal. He punctuated the drive with a 1-yard touchdown on the next play.
TANK BIGSBY POWERS UP 📈
📺: #JAXvsIND on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/G4uoYVOqQn pic.twitter.com/9hxQyhPw1K— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2023
“It’s obviously a learning moment for Tank, for the offense, for the guys but for a young player to come back like he did and have those tough runs late in the game, I think is a credit to him and the ability to shake off a negative play,” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said.
Bigsby finished with 13 yards on seven carries, while Travis Etienne Jr. took the lion’s share of the workload in the backfield with 18 attempts for 77 yards.
