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Game Report, Preseason Week 3: Jaguars 31, Falcons 0

PSWK 3 - GAME REPORT

ATLANTA, Ga. – Get in, get work and stay healthy.

That was Head Coach Doug Pederson's plan for 2024 Preseason Week 3, and things for the most part went according to plan for the Jaguars in a 31-0 victory over the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Friday.

This was a last look at the starters before things get real, and it was a good look.

"I was pleased with our first unit," Pederson said. "The execution was clean."

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence started for the Jaguars, calling it "a good night, very clean."

"I thought it was a good night," he said. "As far as our team, our offense, where we're at, I think we're in a great spot. You have to continue to better even when camp's over. That's the challenge for us."

Friday marked the first game in which the Jaguars' first-team offensive line of left tackle Cam Robinson, left guard Ezra Cleveland, center Mitch Morse, right guard Brandon Scherff and right tackle Anton Harrison started together.

Cleveland and Harrison didn't play in a Preseason Week 1 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs because of injuries, and the Jaguars didn't play starters in a Week 3 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

"I thought they looked good," Pederson said of the line. "They settled in. They did some nice things. It's something we've been wanting to see for a long time. It was good for them to get those two series. It was a chance to settle in, play together and do some good things."

Added Lawrence, "I thought it was great. We got settled in. We ended up only being two drives and they were long drives. We got some different situations, a few third downs in there. We had an opportunity to move the ball. There's always going to be some stuff to learn from that we can clean up, but I thought overall, it was clean, sharp. Guys were physical, ready to play. Um, it's good. It's awesome."

Lawrence completed eight of 10 passes for 91 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions, with two short first-half touchdown passes to tight end Evan Engram giving the Jaguars a quick two-score lead early in the second quarter.

"It was really good to see," Pederson said of the early offensive efficiency.

Those were Lawrence's only two series. He and most Jaguars offensive starters left with a 14-0 lead with just over 9:00 remaining in the first half, having outgained Atlanta 151-85.

"I thought it was good," Lawrence said. "I thought the guys came ready to play. We were physical, detailed and sharp. That's what you want."

Mac Jones, Lawrence's backup, continued a strong preseason and completed 13 of 18 passes for 113 yards with a touchdown pass late in the first half to second-year wide receiver Elijah Cooks. Jones played the final three series of the first half, with the Jaguars outgaining the Falcons 264-97 in the first half and leading 21-0 at halftime.

"It was good to get the touchdown before half," Pederson said.

E.J. Perry, signed by the Jaguars this week after a Preseason Week 2 groin injury sustained by reserve quarterback C.J. Beathard, completed two of two passes for four yards Friday.

Starting running back Travis Etienne Jr. rushed for 46 yards on seven carries for the Jaguars, with backup Tank Bigsby rushing eight times for 40 yards. The Jaguars surpassed 100 yards rushing for a third consecutive preseason game, rushing for 208 yards on 44 carries.

The Jaguars, after going 0-3 in their first preseason under Pederson (2022), are 6-0 over the last two preseasons.

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Prseason Week 3: Jaguars vs. Falcons - Step by Step:

  • Lawrence completed a six-yard touchdown pass to Engram to cap a nine-play, 92-yard drive on the Jaguars' first possession to give them a 7-0 lead with 7:01 remaining in the first quarter. Lawrence keyed the drive with a 38-yard completion to rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. The Jaguars' starters outgained the Falcons' reserves 132-58 in the first quarter.
  • Engram's five-yard reception from Lawrence capped the Jaguars' second possession and pushed the lead to 14-0 with 11:29 remaining in the second quarter. That capped a 13-play, 62-yard drive and marked the end of the preseason for the Jaguars' starters. Jones led a two-minute drive late in the first half, with his 13-yard touchdown pass to Cooks giving the Jaguars a 21-0 lead with :18 remaining in the half.
  • Rookie free-agent running back Jalen Jackson's one-yard run capped a 13-play, 70-yard drive on the first possession of the second half to push the lead to 28-0 with 9:07 remaining in the third quarter.
  • Rookie kicker Cam Little's 40-yard field goal with 12:43 remaining gave the Jaguars a 31-0 lead.

Notable:

  • The following players did not play for the Jaguars against the Falcons: defensive tackle Arik Armstead, quarterback C.J. Beathard (groin), cornerback Christian Braswell, safety Tashaun Gipson, wide receiver Christian Kirk (calf), linebacker Foye Oluokun (hamstring), running back Keilan Robinson (toe), safety Daniel Thomas (heel) and safety Andrew Wingard (knee).

Injury Report: The Jaguars announced no significant injuries Friday.

Every play matters. View some best photos from Jaguars vs. Falcons preseason matchup. ➡️

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