Another game, another victory for Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew II. His legend grows as he and his mustache defeat Denver in Mile High.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield might have woken up today feeling pretty dangerous, but when it comes to the living legend that is Gardner Minshew II, every day you’re feeling pretty dangerous.
Week 4 was upon us this week in the NFL and Minshew’s Jacksonville Jaguars had a tall task of having to take on a winless Denver Broncos team in Mile High. Minshew and company were coming off their first victory of the season on Thursday Night Football last week versus the division rival Tennessee Titans down in #DUUUVAL!
Denver held a 17-6 lead over Minshew’s Jaguars heading into halftime. It looked like a certain victory was to be had for Joe Flacco’s Broncos, but you don’t stand a chance against the Prince of #DUUVAL, the Mustache from the Palouse or the greatest quarterback from Mississippi since Brett Favre.
In his third career start, Minshew completed 19 of 33 passes for 215 yards, two touchdowns and no picks. Even though he got sacked five times and only averaged 6.5 yards per pass attempt, Minshew made the big plays that were necessary to win an important game on the road for Jacksonville 26-24, thanks to a game-winner off the leg of kicker Josh Lambo.
Minshew was able to spread the ball all around to his receiving corps, completing passes to nine different receivers against a good Denver secondary in September. Fact: it is still incredibly difficult to win in Denver in the ninth month of the season. But Minshew got it done because his legend is growing by the second, like his iconic mustache.
To be frank, he probably knew that he needed some help to bust the Broncos in Mile High this week. So he called up his favorite uncle from Idaho that first taught him to sling the pigskin. Uncle Rico and his van came to help out Minshew this week before taking on the Broncos. Let’s just say that whatever they did worked. Like Dirk Nowitzki and Holger Geschwindner, you get results.
Minshew’s favorite target in this ball game was Dede Westbrook, who had five catches for 66 yards and a long of 32. He also completed four balls to D.J. Chark Jr. for 44 yards and a long of 24. We’re starting to see that maybe the Jaguars’ receiving corps isn’t so bad after all.
The Jaguars are now in a four-way tie for first place in the AFC South at 2-2. And to think, cornerback Jalen Ramsey wants to leave this team? #Sacksonville took this week off, but Minshew did not, as he continues on his epic quest to Wally Pipp Nick Foles.
What all of this really comes down to is that Jacksonville always has a shot to win with Minshew playing quarterback. He might have had to play his college ball at four schools. He might have considered breaking his hand with a hammer to get that precious medical redshirt season. He might have been a sixth-round pick out of Washington State. But right now, he’s a champion.
His accuracy, touch, composure and overall toughness has to make the Jaguars feel great about their rookie quarterback. I mean, they were going to love Nick Foles because, how can you not? He’s Nick Foles! But with Minshew, we’re one game closer before the Khan Family commissions a statue in his honor along the St. John’s River. It will be the best statue North Florida has ever seen.
Going forward, Jacksonville is absolutely in the playoff mix in the AFC. They can win the division and even potentially get back to the AFC Championship. Okay, that might be a bit of a reach, but when you have the power of upper lip facial hair and the greatest orchestrator of the Air Raid this side of Kansas City, you have to like your chances. The legend grows by the nanosecond.