Jags spoil Coughlin’s return
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Tom Coughlin’s homecoming ended with a locker room tirade.
It’s OK coach, you’re not alone. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ defense tends to frustrate just about everyone.
The Jaguars wore all black, Jack Del Rio sported a blue tie, and Jacksonville’s defense followed suit Monday night with a thorough bruising of the New York Giants, 26-10.
The Jaguars forced three turnovers, pressured Eli Manning into several poor throws and held Tiki Barber to a season-low 27 yards rushing in a victory over the injury-riddled Giants. Jacksonville (6-4) rebounded from an embarrassing loss to Houston and spoiled Coughlin’s first game in Jacksonville since getting fired four years ago.
“We just didn’t play well, and there’s no excuse for it,” Coughlin said. “This was a big, disappointing game for us.”
Coughlin was much less diplomatic in the locker room. His screaming voice could be heard through the closed doors.
“Tom had every right to be upset with us, to be mad at us,” Manning said. “We’re not playing well. … Everyone was angry.”
David Garrard, who had four interceptions against the Texans, threw for 249 yards and ran for 31 more. Josh Scobee kicked four field goals. Fred Taylor and Maurice Drew combined for 124 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
As well as the Jaguars offense played, the defense was even better.
The Jaguars harassed Manning into numerous mistakes and bottled up Barber like few teams have in recent years. Barber’s 27 yards were his lowest since Nov. 30, 2003 against Buffalo, when he finished with 20 yards on 12 carries.
“It was a pretty pitiful performance all the way around,” Barber said. “I’m shocked our running game could be this unproductive.”
The Giants (6-4) dropped their second straight after a five-game winning streak. They played without defensive ends Michael Strahan (foot) and Osi Umenyiora (hip), cornerback Sam Madison (quadriceps), linebacker Brandon Short (quad) and offensive tackle Luke Petitgout (leg).
The injuries certainly contributed to the poor showing.
Jacksonville’s defense, meanwhile, lost another starter of its own – safety Donovin Darius was lost for the season in the first quarter with a broken leg. Manning finished 19 of 41 for 230 yards.
Jaguars 26, Giants 10
| New York | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | — | 10 |
| Jacksonville | 3 | 7 | 6 | 10 | — | 26 |
NY—FG Feely 40, 11:38.
Jac—FG Scobee 39, 7:40.
Jac—Taylor 10 run (Scobee kick), 10:15.
Jac—FG Scobee 24, 9:43.
NY—Burress 25 pass from Manning (Feely kick), 6:32.
Jac—FG Scobee 23, :53.
Jac—Jones-Drew 3 run (Scobee kick), 12:36.
Jac—FG Scobee 48, 5:39.
A—67,164.
| NY | Jac | |
| First downs | 13 | 21 |
| Total Net Yards | 247 | 414 |
| Rushes-yards | 14-25 | 43-165 |
| Passing | 222 | 249 |
| Punt Returns | 2-16 | 4-27 |
| Kickoff Returns | 5-107 | 3-65 |
| Interceptions Ret. | 0-0 | 2-24 |
| Comp-Att-Int | 19-41-2 | 19-32-0 |
| Sacked-Yards Lost | 1-8 | 0-0 |
| Punts | 6-40.2 | 4-36.8 |
| Fumbles-Lost | 1-1 | 3-1 |
| Penalties-Yards | 5-35 | 9-65 |
| Time of Possession | 19:41 | 40:19 |
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING—New York, Barber 10-27, Jacobs 3-0, Manning 1-(minus 2). Jacksonville, Taylor 24-79, Jones-Drew 9-45, Garrard 9-31, R.Williams 1-10.
PASSING—New York, Manning 19-41-2-230. Jacksonville, Garrard 19-32-0-249.
RECEIVING—New York, Shockey 7-82, Burress 5-65, Jacobs 2-29, Carter 2-26, Tyree 2-15, Barber 1-13. Jacksonville, Wilford 5-72, Wrighster 4-54, Taylor 3-16, Hankton 2-28, Jones-Drew 2-16, M.Jones 1-49, Lewis 1-9, R.Williams 1-5.