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Season in Review: NFL 2020

My first season covering professional football

By Matt Pendleton Photography

January 5^th, 2021

Season In Review: NFL 2020

The Florida Times-Union reached out for coverage of the Jaguars' NFL Thursday Night Football game in September 2020. I quickly jumped at the opportunity to cover my first NFL game. Big shout-out to my good friend James Gilbert for recommending me.

With the COVID-19 pandemic in effect, only a few NFL organizations were allowing photographers. Fortunately, the Jaguars allowed both photographers and fans for the games. We were permitted to shoot from the NFL Operational Zone (OZ) which was Row 1 around TIAA Bank Field.

I ended up shooting the remaining Jaguars home games for the Florida Times-Union. I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to grow and learn. Thank you to Times-Union staff photographers Bob Self and Will Dickey!

Scroll down to see my favorite photos from each game and tap LIKE in the top right to show the visual story some love.

Socially Distant

Due to state COVID-19 requirements, stadium capacity was reduced to 25%, which comes out to 16,791 fans. All fans were required to wear masks and maintain six feet of distance and that also applied to the photographers.

Week 3: Dolphins

The Jaguars made their home debut on NFL Thursday Night Football facing the Miami Dolphins. This was also my debut covering pro sports and the NFL. I have to say this was a really cool moment in my career!

The Jaguars lost 13-31.

Week 6: Lions

The Jaguars returned home to face the Detroit Lions and QB Matthew Stafford.

The Jaguars lost 16-34.

Week 9: Texans

The Jaguars faced off with the Houston Texans which included Deshaun Watson and J.J. Watt. This was Jaguars QB Jake Luton's first NFL start and first touchdown.

The Jaguars lost 25-27.

Week 11: Steelers

The Jaguars welcomed the Pittsburgh Steelers to Jacksonville. The Steelers fans travel well and this felt much like a Pittsburgh home game.

JuJu Smith-Schuster continued his TikTok dances on the team logos and Big Ben and Chase Claypool made some big plays.

The Jaguars lost 3-27.

Week 12: Browns

Baker Mayfield, Kareem Hunt and the Cleveland Browns came to town. COVID also hit the team and had a few key players sit out.

The Jaguars lost 25-27.

Week 14: Titans

The Tennessee Titans brought mighty Derrick Henry and A.J. Brown and Ryan Tannehill to town.

The Jaguars lost 10-31.

Week 16: Bears

The Jaguars faced off with the Chicago Bears for the final home game of the season. With the Jaguars on a 13-game losing streak, there would be no playoff berth.