Jaguars dominant defensive first-half leads to 23-7 victory over Falcons in London

LONDON — Just what the doctor ordered.

The Jacksonville Jaguars made the roughly 4,259-mile trek to London to take on Atlanta, ultimately defeating the "visiting" Falcons 23-7.

Apparently, the long journey was what the team needed to get back in the win column after two straight losses, thanks in part to a dominating first half by Jacksonville's (2-2) defense.

The Falcons (2-2) converted a respectable 6-of-12 third downs but failed to put up points or many yards, particularly in the first half. Jacksonville's defense held the Falcons to just 77 total net yards, including 26 rushing yards during the first half that also included three sacks and two interceptions, one of which went for a touchdown.

The Falcons ended the day with 268 total yards, including 127 rushing yards and 141 passing yards. Though rookie running back Bijan Robinson struggled in the first half, rushing for just 18 yards, he came alive during the second half, finishing the game with 105 rushing yards.

The Jaguars finished the day defensively with three turnovers, including a last-minute strip sack by outside linebacker Josh Allen. Allen finished with three sacks for the second time this season.

Jacksonville's offense struggled through much of the contest but made plays when they needed to. The best play of the day for came at the end of the third quarter on third-and-seven.

Trevor Lawrence found Kirk for 11 yards to convert a third down, extending their drive that ultimately ended with a 43-yard Brandon McManus field goal to put the Jaguars ahead 20-7 with just over 10 minutes remaining in the game.

Game recap: Jaguars take down Falcons 23-7 in London

Prior to the game, the Jaguars ruled out wide receiver Zay Jones for a second straight week. Jones missed the team's loss to the Houston Texans in Week 3 due to a knee injury. Jones did make the trip, however, and has a chance to play in next week's second London matchup against the Buffalo Bills at Tottenham Hotspur stadium.

Jaguars receiver and return specialist Jamal Agnew (quad) was also among the team's inactive players Sunday, ruled out just 90 minutes prior to kickoff. Friday, Pederson stated that the team was "optimistic" that Agnew could play, but would be a game-time decision.

In Agnew's place, rookie sixth-round pick Parker Washington and veteran running back D'Ernest Johnson took over punt-return and kick-return duties, respectfully. Washington took the majority of the punt-return reps during the preseason, giving him an opportunity to get practice in prior to his debut.

On his first punt return of the day, and first NFL snap in the regular season, Washington injured his knee and did not return with receiver Christian Kirk taking over for the rookie wideout as the team's punt returner.

A lineup change occurred this week with veteran guard Tyler Shatley taking over as the team's starting left guard in place of fourth-year vet OL Ben Bartch.

Plenty of U.K. locals showed up for the occasion with nearly all 32 teams represented in a variety of different ways either with jerseys, shirts or hats. Plenty of Jaguars fans appeared throughout London this week, showcasing their support for the team that has become their 'home' team for the last 10 years.

Jaguars offense continues to struggle with consistency despite win

Jacksonville’s offense got off to a hot start Sunday. After a punt on the team’s first possession, Lawrence found receiver Calvin Ridley for a wide-open 30-yard touchdown reception. It appeared to be broken coverage on the play with cornerback A.J. Terrell trailing after noticing the wide-open play.

The following possession, Jacksonville scored again on a 56-yard field goal by kicker Brandon McManus, his longest of the year, giving Jacksonville a quick 10-0 lead before the team got another score, this time defensively, on the very next possession to go up 17-0.

Jaguars receiver Christian Kirk was the team’s most consistent player throughout the day, catching seven passes for 82 yards.

Lawrence fared well through the day, completing 23-of-30 passes for 207 yards and one touchdown. Running back Travis Etienne led the way with 55 rushing yards on 20 carries, but the team's rushing attack struggled to get going with Lawrence right behind Etienne in rushing yards with 46.

Jacksonville’s third-down struggles showed up yet again with the team converting just 36 percent of their attempts Sunday. The Jaguars’ struggles spread to fourth down, too, converting just one of two on the day.

The team’s failed fourth-down attempt came as the team was up 17-0 near the end of the first half. Instead of kicking a 38-yard field goal to go up 20-0 with 58 seconds left in the first half, the team came away with zero points, giving the Falcons some life.

Jaguars defense scores pick-six, pitches first-half shutout vs. Falcons

The Jaguars' defense showed up Sunday in a big way with three sacks against Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder and two interceptions on back-to-back throws by the Falcons' second-year player during the first half of the contest.

The first interception came via Jaguars cornerback Darious Williams who read the eyes of Ridder to break on the ball into empty grass. The pick-six was Williams' first during the regular season in his career.

His first pick-six occurred during the 2020-21 season with the Rams in the postseason.

On the very next possession by Atlanta, Jaguars safety Andre Cisco recorded an interception and took the ball to the Falcons' 16-yard line with 4:31 remaining in the first half.

Atlanta couldn't get anything going during the first half, punting on their first three possessions followed by two interceptions and another punt just before halftime.

Atlanta netted just 77 yards with 51 net passing yards and 26 net rushing yards through the first half.

The Jaguars' defense finished the game with three total turnovers, including a strip-sack by Allen to seal the game. He finished the contest with three sacks, leading the team.

Calvin Ridley gets early revenge vs. Falcons, scores first touchdown

Jaguars receiver Calvin Ridley didn't make it a big deal about playing his former team earlier in the week, but he didn't take long to make an impact against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

On the team's second drive of the game, Lawrence found RIdley all alone in the end zone, a busted coverage by Atlanta for a 30-yard score to put the Jaguars up 7-0 early against Atlanta.

Ridley played for the Falcons through the first four years of his career after being drafted by the team in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X,  formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82.

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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars defeat Falcons 23-7 after dominating first half by defense