ATLANTA, Ga. – Senior writer John Oehser examines five key plays from the Jaguars' 31-0 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in a 2024 Preseason Week 3 game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta Friday
1. Efficient and smooth. Rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. has impressed in recent weeks, and he continued that in a big way early Friday. The Jaguars' first-team offense moved efficiently on the Falcons' reserve defense on the first offensive series. The key play was a perfect pass from quarterback Trevor Lawrence to Thomas – the No. 23 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft – for a 38-yard gain that turned first-and-15 from the Jaguars 29 into first-and-10 at the Falcons 33. Lawrence threw to tight end Evan Engram in the back of the end zone for a six-yard touchdown that capped a nine-play, 92-yard drive and gave the Jaguars a 7-0 lead with 7:01 remaining in the first quarter. Key to this drive were two strong runs from running back Travis Etienne Jr. for seven and 19 yards on the first two plays. "That was something we made an emphasis this off season, and it's paying off," Lawrence said of the running game. "Hats off to the guys up front, the running backs, the tight ends – the receivers, too. It's physical from those guys up front, and the tight ends blocking, the receivers and the backs running. Those guys have bought in and made it go. You can see the improvements. We just have to keep getting better, though."
2. Solid stop. The Jaguars' defense showed strong Friday, with one such occurrence on the Falcons' second series. First, defensive end Travon Walker turned in a solid pass rush and batted down a pass by reserve quarterback Taylor Heinike on third-and-three from the Jaguars 38. Heinicke on the ensuing play threw deep to rookie wide receiver Casey Washington, with tight coverage by veteran cornerback Tyson Campbell forcing the incompletion. The Jaguars' first-team defense shut the Falcons on five first-half series, with Walker also registering a sack and forcing an incomplete pass to force a put on the Falcons' third series.
3. Engram – again. After a nine-play series on the opening possession, the Jaguars turned in a second extended drive on their next possession. This one started after the Falcons turned the ball over on downs at the Jaguars 38 – and again ended with a touchdown pass from Lawrence to Engram. The Jaguars drove 62 yards on this drive on 13 plays, with Lawrence passing to Engram for a five-yard touchdown on third-and-goal from the Falcons 6 with 11:29 remaining in the second quarter. Key play: First-down converting third-down runs of 14 and two yards by Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby to extend the drive. This was the last series for the Jaguars' offensive starters. "I love where me and Evan's chemistry is right now," Lawrence said. "I feel great about it. We're on the same page as much or more than ever. He's just a guy that works really hard and communicates and wants to get better. We see things very similarly. A guy that works that hard, it's cool to see it pay off for him. I'm excited for him. We've expanded his role. He's doing more. It's just going to help us."
4. Mac attack. Jaguars backup quarterback Mac Jones continued a strong preseason, replacing Lawrence in the third quarter Friday and leading touchdown drives on two of his first four possessions. Maybe Jones' most memorable play Friday came when he passed 13 yards to second-year wide receiver Elijah Cooks to push the Jaguars' lead to 21-0 with :18 remaining in the half. This came on Jones' third series, with the Jaguars punting on the second-team offense's first two series. Jones played into the second half, leading a touchdown drive on the opening series of the third quarter. This drive covered 70 yards on 13 plays, with rookie running back Jalen Jackson – a collegiate free agent who signed with the Jaguars after the 2024 NFL Draft – capping the drive with a one-yard touchdown run for a 28-0 lead with 9:07 remaining in the third quarter.
5. Solid – really solid – so far. Big plays waned as Friday continued, but rookie kicker Cam Little's 40-yard field goal perhaps shouldn't be overlooked. Little has been a significant Jaguars storyline during the 2024 preseason as he continued a strong 2024 Training Camp. When Little, a sixth-round selection in the '24 draft, converted without drama from 40 yards with 12:43 remaining in the fourth quarter Friday, it did more than give the Jaguars a 31-0 lead. It continued a strong preseason for Little, who finished '24 preseason having converted six of seven field goals and three of three extra points with his lone miss from 62 yards in Preseason Week 1. Pederson said he opted against a 57- or 58-yard field goal attempt late in the fourth quarter. "He was disappointed I didn't put him out there again for that long one at the end, but I wasn't going to do that," Pederson said with a smile. I think you come away from preseason feeling good about our situation there. It just has to carry over to the regular season in a couple weeks."
