Jacksonville Jaguars see off Atlanta Falcons on landmark London return

OOn the 10th anniversary of Jacksonville’s love affair with London, it took an impressive defense that forced a less-than-stellar visit from the Atlanta Falcons to finally make their decade-long entanglement feel worthwhile on the field, rather than just in their back pocket.

Linebacker Josh Allen’s three sacks and a forced fumble led his team’s fierce defensive effort, while back-to-back interceptions in the opening half were crucial to a 23-7 win as they look ahead to next week’s meeting with the Buffalo Bills, another landmark in Jacksonville. play back-to-back clashes in the capital for the first time.

While the Jaguars will be thrilled to get back to a 2-2 tie on the year, Jacksonville’s treasuries are still at the center of proceedings as their easy victory marks another first for the team. In a new commercial era in which the Jaguars are the sole beneficiary of ticket sales, merchandise and concession revenue, business was handled as it would be any Sunday at Florida’s EverBank Stadium, which seats about 65,000 compared to Wembley’s 90,000. The math of significantly higher ticket prices here and a willing audience is pretty simple.

But after all the furiously manicured hype of a manufactured anniversary, quarterback Trevor Lawrence delivered an exquisite impromptu 22-yard run and a ready-made pass that would lead to former Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley’s opening touchdown of the game would score. . The quarterback showed no fear in feinting an oncoming Falcon off course and then sailing a 30-yard rainbow to Ridley before being squashed by another onrushing defender.

Atlanta, meanwhile, wilted under Jacksonville’s pressure as they gave the ball back to the Jaguars for a second time. Allen would mark the stop with a first sack of Falcons’ quarterback Desmond Ridder. Lawrence then found success again with a 30-yard throw to Christian Kirk as the Falcons backfield once again left a receiver in the open to make an easy catch as a slow-simmering first quarter neared its end. Unfortunately, a sloppy charging penalty would take the heat out of their offense and leave them settling for a 56-yard field goal from Brandon McManus as the second frame began. Positive enough, by the way. Ten years later they were fittingly 10-0 up.

The Florida vibes were in full swing as the sun kissed the backs of the Jaguars as they found further dominance on defense through a familiar method. The bulldozing Allen battered Ridder again to clip the Falcons’ wings and force another punt. Atlanta would then start moving the ball through the concussion of rookie running back Bijan Robinson, after which Ridder threw an interception that was gleefully returned 61 yards by Darious Williams for a touchdown and a 17-0 lead.

Knight’s afternoon would only get worse. His next throw was intercepted again, this time by Andre Cisco. The crowd erupted in shock as Atlanta and the dying Knight made themselves comfortable. Some air was finally let out of the balloon, as poor play by the Jaguars led to turnovers deep in Atlanta territory. An opportunity to completely kill the game was lost, but as the half drew to a close, Atlanta’s 14 minutes of possession with only 77 yards of total offense showed just how much they were being pushed to fail.

But a new half brought new hope and a 15-yard touchdown from Ridder to Drake London put them on the board at 17-7. The scoring position was awarded by a 38-yard rumble from Robinson. It wasn’t until the second period that they got their most impressive stretch of the game, but even at this relatively early stage it felt too late. Robinson was quickly back in the spotlight as he cleared the ball from his own goal line and found a crucial first loss in Atlanta. The running back then found the edge to fortify the sideline 21 yards, but the Jaguars still had enough power to stop any further advance.

Lawrence then took over again, leading the Jaguars back deep into enemy territory with a 19-yard pass and a 10-yard scramble before hitting a 35-yard throw from JaMycal Hasty’s fingertips into the end zone. Jacksonville settled for a 43-yard McManus field goal, pushing the lead to 20-7.

The Falcons were the least hopeful as they trailed by just two scores with 10 minutes to play, but their woes in attack would be neatly underlined when the 6-foot-1 London native flew into his namesake’s sky to score the ball catch for a touchdown, but got out. of boundaries. Ridder found his man on one of his few effective drives, but the receiver could only tap a second foot downfield, leaving him hanging his head on the sideline and giving the Falcons any chance of victory. Jacksonville would again use McManus’ boot for a 38-yard set of three before Allen’s sack of Ridder forced a quarterback fumble to put a bow on his fantastic afternoon and his team’s victory.

Allen and his defense will no doubt be happy to go ahead and turn things up to 11 for the Jaguars in North London next week.