Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars vs Green Bay Packers: Studs from Week 1

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Jacksonville Jaguars surprised the NFL by almost beating the Green Bay Packers and playing a strong game at almost every position. Here are the guys who stood out.

Sep 11, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars middle linebacker Paul Posluszny (51) carry the flag through the reception line led by Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) before the first half of a football game at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

A young team like the Jacksonville Jaguars doesn’t come within four points of beating a perennial contender like the Green Bay Packers without stepping up at key positions.

The performance was one of the more complete outings for the Jaguars in recent years. There were mistakes, yes, but the team worked together and with purpose more than they have before under Gus Bradley over the last three seasons.

In that regard, it’s difficult to pick out exactly who excelled. Few players were playing at a level to truly stand head and shoulders above the rest as the entire quality of play increased from the superstars to the guys who mad the team after being on the roster bubble.

Still, there were some guys who simply performed better than others and were more critical to keeping it close than other players were. We honor those that stepped up each week in this piece.

These are the studs from the 23-27 loss to the Packers in Week 1.

Sep 11, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) looks to throw the ball in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

1) Blake Bortles, quarterback, Jacksonville Jaguars

An easy one right off the bat, Blake Bortles was sharp in his season debut. He wasn’t perfect (far from it, as he always is) but he had crisp throws and was looking every bit like a franchise passer.

In a game against one of the best quarterbacks of the past decade, Bortles showed he deserves to be considered along with payers like Aaron Rodgers as the better QBs in the league. Bortles threw 320 yards, one touchdown, and a fluke interception (bounced off Marqise Lee’s hands) compared to 199 yards and two TDs for Rodgers.

It wasn’t a clear win by Bortles over one of the best in the league, but it shows he may belong in the conversation if he can keep that level of play up.

Bortles did all of this while being sacked three times and without a strong running game (T.J. Yeldon had 39 yards on 21 carries).

Overall, though, the key in this game was that Bortles looked every bit the part of a franchise quarterback and started to deliver. He can make all of the throws and was asked to make some difficult ones in this game. The play calling wasn’t as vertical as the year before (or so it seemed) but he can definitely wing it in any situation.

He knows he can bring this team some wins with his play and he’s irritated this game got away from him. Expect it to act as motivation going forward.

Sep 11, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Julius Thomas (80) catches a touchdown pass in the second quarter as Green Bay Packers cornerback Quinten Rollins (24) defends at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

2) Julius Thomas, tight end, Jacksonville Jaguars

After questioning whether Julius Thomas would be effective in his second season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, I was pleasantly surprised to see him come out and deliver.

Five targets, five catches, 64 yards, one touchdown. That’s the kind of stat line that Thomas is expected to deliver each and every week. Aside from being a mismatch, it’s what he was brought to Jacksonville to do.

His TD reception was excellent. It was a thing of beauty. He beat his man, made a catch on the tip of his fingers, and he made it look easy.

TE @Julius_Thomas‘ 30 TD receptions since 2013 are the 5th-most in the @NFL and the most by a TE over that span: pic.twitter.com/pbs4NCIlgc

— Tad Dickman (@Tdickman89) September 12, 2016

This is the Julius Thomas we all wanted to see when he first donned the black and teal. He delivered in Week 1.

Sep 11, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars outside linebacker Telvin Smith (50) reacts after a play in the third quarter against Green Bay Packers at EverBank Field. Green Bay Packers won 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

3) Telvin Smith, linebacker, Jacksonville Jaguars

Johnathan Cyprien had more tackles (nine) but it was Telvin Smith who seemed to be the defender who was most dominant against the Green Bay Packers.

Smith racked up six tackles but seemed to be doing more. He flew to the ball and, just like the year before, looked like the linebacker of the future for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

While Myles Jack waits in the wings to take snaps away from Dan Skuta or Paul Posluzny, Smith is continuing to deliver. He shows again and again that he adds value to this team as a fast, physical linebacker who can impose his will on offenses.

He made impact plays (like a big tackle for a loss) and is expecting to make more. Perhaps more importantly, following the game he has demanded better of himself and his teammates, telling the team to put it together and win games.

Telvin Smith is looking more and more like the leader the Jaguars need. He showed it again and again on Sunday.