Jaguars vs. Falcons: 5 Pressing Questions on Week 4

The Jacksonville Jaguars will be heading across the pond this week, hoping to turn around their 1-2 start against the Atlanta Falcons.

To preview this week's big game, we spoke with Daniel Flick of Falcon Report to get their insight on the team the Jaguars are faced to do battle with.

1) Verdict on Desmond Ridder so far?

Daniel Flick: The verdict on Ridder, who will be making his eighth professional start Sunday, remains out. He played an encouraging second half in Week 2, helping the Falcons erase a 12-point fourth quarter deficit to beat the Green Bay Packers, but apart from that, has largely struggled.

In last Sunday's loss to the Detroit Lions, Ridder completed only 21 of 38 passes for 201 yards and failed to throw a touchdown while taking seven sacks. The 24-year-old currently leads the NFL in turnover-worthy throws with seven, per PFF, and hasn't been able to get the deep ball rolling.

Atlanta needs more from Ridder, but the coaching staff and locker room continues to praise his leadership and command. His on-field play, however, has left a lot to be desired.

2) What is the identity of this new-look Falcons defense?

Daniel Flick: Defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen was hired this spring after six years as the New Orleans Saints' defensive line coach, though he doubled as co-defensive coordinator in his final season. Nielsen is described as a tough, competitive and energetic coach, and Atlanta's defense has largely taken on his personality.

The Falcons are led defensively by safety Jessie Bates III, who has three interceptions in as many games, and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, a consistently productive veteran who's already posted six quarterback hits. Fellow defensive tackle David Onyemata, like Bates III, signed with Atlanta this offseason and has made an early impact, knocking the opposing quarterback four times to give the Falcons a pair of stout interior pressure players.

Still, Atlanta's overall pass rush, which was the worst in the NFL over the previous two years, has been underwhelming, managing only three sacks thus far. Of further note, the Falcons will be without starting linebacker Troy Andersen, who was placed on injured reserve Tuesday; he'll be replaced by second-year pro and former undrafted free agent Nate Landman, an ascending player who impressed the coaching staff in a Week 2 start.

3) How much of a game-changer has Bijan Robinson been?

Daniel Flick: Robinson has certainly lived up to the billing of No. 8 overall pick and, so far, has been Atlanta's most consistent offensive player. Through the first two weeks, Robinson was responsible for 38.2 percent of Atlanta's yards.

The former University of Texas star is coming off his least productive performance of the season, rushing for 33 yards on 10 carries while adding four receptions for 27 yards. He's been effective as both a runner and receiver and has aligned at both positions, following through on the Falcons' preseason comments.

Robinson's illustrated his patented quickness and vision several times through three weeks and looks every bit the game-changing talent many expected him to become.

4) Who is one Falcon the Jaguars have to stop to win?

Daniel Flick: The easy answer here is Robinson, but I'll go with fellow running back Tyler Allgeier, who's coming off the worst rushing game of his career with 12 total yards on seven carries.

Allgeier broke Atlanta's rookie rushing record last season with 1,035 yards and started this season off strong, taking 15 carries for 75 yards in the opener. However, he's averaged only 2.6 yards per carry in the past two games, putting additional strain on Robinson.

When the Falcons offense is rolling, Allgeier is producing at a high level and dominates the fourth quarter, putting teams away with his physical running style. If Jacksonville can limit him early and keep it that way throughout, the Falcons will either be heavily reliant on Robinson or become one-dimensional, which they proved in Detroit is far from ideal.

5) Score prediction?

Daniel Flick: I'll go Jaguars 23, Falcons 20.

Atlanta's taking last week's loss as a wake-up call, and it seems like Jacksonville is in a similar boat. The Falcons are off to a better start, but I don't think the Jaguars start 1-3, so I'll give them the nod.