Jaguars beat Lions 25-7 in preseason matchup featuring backups on both teams

Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (50) runs out of the pocket persued by Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Yasir Abdullah (56) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in Detroit. Paul Sancya / AP

C.J. Beathard threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Parker Washington late in the first half and the Jacksonville Jaguars went on to beat the Detroit Lions 25-7 on Saturday.

Beathard filled in for Trevor Lawrence as most of the starters for both teams watched the preseason game to avoid injuries.

Beathard, a backup in his sixth NFL season, was 12 of 20 for 138 yards. He threw an interception along with the touchdown pass to Washington, a rookie receiver, that put Jacksonville ahead 12-0 at halftime.

Teddy Bridgewater, meanwhile, was shaky in his Lions debut while surrounded by backups.

Bridgewater, signed this month to be Jared Goff's backup, was sacked on his first snap and completed 5 of 11 passes for just 34 yards.

Detroit's Nate Sudfeld, who threw his third interception of the preseason in the second quarter, connected with Chase Cota on a 1-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter to avoid a shutout.

D'Ernest Johnson restored the Jaguars' cushion with a 1-yard touchdown run late in the third and helped them pull away with a 15-yard run that put them ahead 25-7 early in the fourth.

KICKING IT

Jacksonville kicker Brandon McManus, signed in May after he was waived by Denver, made a 40-yard field goal in the first quarter and a 28-yarder in the second quarter. The Jaguars went for 2-point conversions after each of their four touchdowns last week.

INJURY REPORT

Jaguars: Rookie guard Cooper Hodges, a seventh-round pick, had to be helped off the field in the first quarter and guard Chandler Brewer was hurt in the second quarter.

Lions: Defensive back Saivion Smith appeared to have an injury in the third quarter.

UP NEXT

Jaguars: Host Miami on Saturday to close the preseason and start the regular season Sept. 10 at Indianapolis.

Lions: Play at Carolina on Friday night to end the preseason and face Kansas City on the road Sept. 7 in the NFL's opening game.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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