The Jacksonville Jaguars opened the 2025 season with a convincing win over the Carolina Panthers, powered by a steady run game and timely plays through the air. Jacksonville leaned on running back Travis Etienne Jr., who set the tone early behind an offensive line that consistently created space. His ability to pick up chunk yardage helped the Jaguars maintain control throughout the afternoon. Quarterback play for Carolina was shaky from the start. Bryce Young, entering his third NFL season, turned the ball over three times, throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble. While he has shown flashes of progress in past seasons, this performance reignited concerns about decision-making and protection in front of him. The Panthers struggled to sustain drives and were often forced into long-yardage situations. The Jaguars displayed more balance and rhythm in their offense. Etienne’s success running the ball opened opportunities downfield, where Brian Thomas Jr. emerged as a reliable target. The addition of Travis Hunter provided another dimension; though he saw only limited snaps on defense, he still recorded six catches on offense and looked comfortable in both roles. His involvement drew the attention of fans eager to see how Jacksonville deploys his versatility over the course of the year. Carolina’s defense showed effort but couldn’t find answers against Jacksonville’s ground attack. Missed tackles extended drives and allowed the Jaguars to dictate the pace. The secondary also gave up several key completions that shifted momentum, particularly in the second half when Jacksonville put the game out of reach. The turning points came on two explosive sequences: Etienne’s breakaway touchdown run in the second quarter and Thomas’s scoring grab in the second half. Both plays highlighted Jacksonville’s ability to blend power running with explosive downfield passing, a formula that could make them a serious contender in the AFC South. For the Panthers, the season begins with more questions than answers. Young’s turnovers underscored how fragile the offensive rhythm is when mistakes pile up. The receiving corps lacked separation, and the run game never established a foothold against a physical Jacksonville front. Jacksonville, on the other hand, leaves Week 1 with optimism. Their run-first approach is clearly the identity, but the presence of young talent in the passing game points to an offense capable of more than grinding out yards on the ground. If the defense continues to force mistakes and the offensive balance holds, the Jaguars will be a tough out for anyone in the division.