Special Teams Blunders Doom the Oilers
Despite dominating the game offensively, the Tennessee Oilers had two devastating special teams’ blunders that caused them to lose to the Jacksonville Jaguars, 27-20, in front of their home fans at the Liberty Bowl.
With the game tied at 13 mid-way through the 4th quarter, the Oilers lined up for a 36-yard field goal by Al Del Greco. When the snap came back, the holder bobbled it and then lost it. In a mad scramble for the ball, it squirted out of the pile and Jaguar DB Chris Hudson picked it up and raced 74 yards for a TD to give the Jaguars the lead.
On the ensuing kickoff, Oilers’ kick returner Derrick Mason mishandled the ball. He picked it up, but the Jaguar kickoff unit was all over him. They knocked the ball loose from Mason and it squirted into the endzone. Jaguar Ty Hallock jumped on it, and within 15 seconds of game play, the Jaguars took a 27-13 lead that they never relinquished because of two costly special teams’ blunders.
The Oilers racked up 393 total yards compared to the Jaguars’ 207. In fact, the Oilers rushed for 180 yards with 102 of it coming from RB Eddie George and 54 from QB Steve McNair. They also got 216 yards passing from McNair and 2 TD passes despite the loss.
The Jaguars QB Mark Brunell threw for 192 yards on 14 of 30 passing with an interception. Jimmy Smith caught five passes for 73 yards. The Jaguars could only muster up 37 yards on the ground despite the return of RB Natrone Means.
The Jaguars have stiff competition next week as they host the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs, while the Oilers try to get back on track when they take on the NY Giants at the Liberty Bowl. In two weeks, these two teams face off again. This time in Jacksonville.