Jaguars Dominate Panthers in Season Opener: Lawrence and Etienne Shine in 26-10 Victory

Opening Day Success for Jacksonville

The Jacksonville Jaguars kicked off their 2025 NFL season at EverBank Stadium, adding another victory to their balanced record of 15-15 in both season openers and home openers.

The Jaguars secured a convincing 26-10 victory, with quarterback Trevor Lawrence throwing a touchdown pass and running back Travis Etienne delivering an impressive performance with 143 rushing yards.

New Era Under Fresh Leadership

The Jaguars, now under new head coach Liam Coen, showed promising signs in their offensive strategy, though some early growing pains were anticipated as the team works to get their offense operating at full potential.

Both teams entered the game looking to improve from their previous season’s performance, having bolstered their rosters with exciting playmakers from the top-10 draft picks in April. The Jaguars notably added Travis Hunter as a versatile wide receiver/cornerback.

Statistical Breakdown and Historical Context

The victory extends Jacksonville’s positive record against Carolina to 4-4, including a dominant 3-1 record at home. Their previous encounter on December 31, 2023, saw the Jaguars shutting out the Panthers 26-0, during which they held Carolina’s offense to just 124 total yards – one of the best defensive performances in team history.

Looking Ahead

The Panthers enter the season with a serviceable secondary and an upgraded pass rush, forming what could become a more cohesive unit as the season progresses. Their quarterback Bryce Young has shown promising development, having finished the 2024 season with his best performance to date.

The Jaguars will need to navigate some injury concerns affecting both sides of the ball, with linebacker Jalen McLeod, corner Caleb Ransaw, and wide receiver Joshua Cephus all placed on injured reserve. Despite these challenges, the team’s strong opening performance suggests a promising season ahead.