Jaguars' Defense Grounds Falcons Across the Pond
Throughout the week, the stale joke surrounding the Jacksonville Jaguars game in London against the Atlanta Falcons was that they are playing a literal home game rather than being merely listed as the home team in a foreign country. That being said, perhaps the change in venue helped escape all the noise from the disappointed Duval Devout as they flailed the Falcons, 23-7
The in first half, the Jags intercepted Dirty Bird quarterback Desmond Ridder twice while holding NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year front runner Bijan Robinson to 26 yards on 11 carries. The Jags’ Darius Williams (who was coincidentally mentioned by the Jaguar Report’s Daniel Griffis Top 5 Players to Watch) took his pick back to the house 61 yards while Andre Cisco snagged the other one.
Williams’ takeaway contributed to the 17-0 halftime Jacksonville lead, but the defense also dominated upfront early recording three sacks. That’s more than the previous to games combined in the opening 30 minutes of Sunday’s contest alone.
The Jags’ Travon Walker recorded one while Josh Allen had the other two and was an essential lead blocker to ensure Williams wasn’t tackled by the quarterback.
On offense, Jacksonville’s struggles on 3rd down this season reared their head as they finished converting 5-of-14 on the day. That shortcoming kept the defense on the field longer in the second half where Robinson broke off a 38-yard run that accounted for most Robinson’s 105 yards on 14 carries.
While the Jags allowed more than their average of 84 rushing yards heading into this game, Robinson and the Falcons are the biggest running threat they’ve seen and might be the best they face on the ground offensively all season.
Ridder was also excellent on 3rd down himself going 9-of-9. It was that streak that helped set up Atlanta with 4th and 3 on the Jags’ goal line. Tre Herndon was in coverage where he forced Falcon’s receiver Drake London catching a would-be touchdown pass to land out of bounds. That heads-up play concluded the Jacksonville goal line stand with 6:05 left in the game.
That stop all but clipped the Dirty Bird’s wings, but to finish the opponent off Allen recorded his third sack. He forced Ridder to fumble for his third turnover on the day as Angelo Blackson fell on the ball to set up the offense in the victory formation.
23 is the second-highest point total on the year for the Jags, the defense helped make happen with Williams’ contribution. Jags’ fans will be looking for the same as they face the Buffalo Bills next week for their second London game.
