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JACKSONVILLE — In the third installment of a series on the Jaguars’ 2023 season, senior writer John Oehser
analyzes the top moments for their wide receivers/tight ends during their 9-8 AFC South runner-up season.
The Jaguars needed a courageous fight to win their 2023 regular-season opener, and the rushing game delivered two
late touchdowns in a 31-21 road triumph over the Indianapolis Colts. However, quarterback Trevor Lawrence and
wide receivers Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones made important plays that kept them in the game for the first three
quarters. Ridley caught eight receptions for 101 yards against the Colts, including a nine-yard touchdown from
Lawrence that put the Jaguars up 7-0 in the first quarter.
Jones made one of the game’s most stunning plays, receiving a long throw and bringing his knee down barely in
bounds in the right side of the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown and a 14-7 Jaguars lead with 4:56 left in the
second quarter. Ridley made a spectacular catch and run for 29 yards, which set up Jones’ touchdown. “I think we’re
going in the right direction and I just think that’s the most important part,” he said.
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Ridley caught 76 catches for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns in 2023, making some spectacular plays and
contributing to numerous triumphs. But maybe his best performance came in the Jaguars’ 25-20 Week 5 triumph
over the Buffalo Bills at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Against the Bills, Ridley caught seven catches for
122 yards and rushed twice for 14 yards.
Ridley’s seven receptions on the day resulted in first downs for the Jaguars. After the Bills trimmed the score to 18-13
with 4:03 left, Ridley made his best play of the game, getting behind Bills CB Tyrel Dodson for a 32-yard Lawrence
reception to the Bills 37 on third-and-4 from the Jacksonville 31. With 2:56 remaining, Travis Etienne Jr. ran 35
yards for the game-winning score. “Calvin Ridley was the guy out there; he is that guy,” Jaguars linebacker Josh
Allen said about Ridley.
