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Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars starters thrive against Falcons backups in regular season warm-up
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- Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars starters thrive against Falcons backups in regular season warm-up
The Jacksonville Jaguars did what they were supposed to , defeating the Atlanta Falcons 31-0 in the team's preseason finale in Atlanta. Both the team's starters and backups excelled, setting the stage for next week's cut down to 53.
Trevor Lawrence wasted no time in driving the Jaguars down the field against Atlanta on Saturday night to score on the team's first drive.
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According to ESPN's Mike DiRocco , the Jaguars have won six consecutive preseason games, tying the longest preseason winning streak in franchise history (1996-97). Before the streak, Jacksonville had lost 10 of the previous 11 preseason games.
Lawrence completed all four of his passes to start the game for 59 yards and a six-yard touchdown to tight end Evan Engram in the back of the end zone to put the Jaguars up 7-0 early in the contest.
The team's opening drive of the game consisted of a couple of big plays by Jacksonville, including a 38-yard catch and run by rookie Brian Thomas Jr. and a 19-yard run by running back Travis Etienne .
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The Jaguars viewed tonight's game as a warm-up to the regular season, playing the majority of the team's starters for one-and-a-half quarters. Atlanta, meanwhile, did not play their starters, pitting the team's backups against Jacksonville.
Before the game, the Jaguars announced that nine players, including defensive lineman Arik Armstead , quarterback C.J. Beathard (groin), cornerback Christian Braswell (oblique), safety Tashaun Gipson , receiver Christian Kirk (calf), linebacker Foye Oluokun (hamstring), running back Keilan Robinson (toe) and safeties Daniel Thomas (ankle) and Andrew Wingard (knee), would not suit up.
Armstead returned to practice last week but the Jaguars do not feel they need to see him in the preseason as he returns from offseason knee surgery. Recently signed, Gipson hasn't suited up for a full practice yet as he gets acclimated.
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Trevor Lawrence , Jaguars offense make it look easy vs. Falcons backups
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - AUGUST 23: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars passes the ball as he is pressured by Milo Eifler #52 of the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 23, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
It was too easy for the Jaguars' offense, as it should have been with the unit going up against the Falcons' backups on defense.
Lawrence and the starting offense were yanked from the field with about nine minutes remaining in the first half. Pederson had seen enough.
Lawrence finished the game with a near-perfect stat line: 8 of 10, 95 yards and two touchdowns. Lawrence added nine yards on a rush after being flushed out of the pocket.
Lawrence's primary target during his two drives was Engram, who caught four passes for 27 yards and two scores. Etienne carried the ball seven times for 47 yards.
It was the first time this preseason that the Jaguars had all five starting offensive linemen on the field. Lawrence was kept clean and mostly upright and Jacksonville's short-yardage game went two for three on third-and-1 and fourth-and-1 situations.
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Travon Walker gets a sack, Jaguars defensive starters play mostly clean first half vs. Falcons
Aug 23, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker (44) rushes the passer against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Jacksonville's starting defense played a while longer than Jacksonville's offense.
Though they didn't get home often, Jacksonville's defensive line looked stout against Atlanta's offensive line, causing Falcons QB Tyler Heinicke to escape the pocket on multiple occasions.
On Atlanta's second drive, DL Travon Walker finally got home for a sack.
The Jaguars forced the Falcons to punt the ball on three of the team's first four drives. Atlanta turned the ball over on downs on their second drive of the night.
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Though Jacksonville's defense didn't allow a point, Atlanta drove down to the Jacksonville 37-yard line on their second drive of the game. Jacksonville gave up a couple of explosive plays but overall slowed down anything the Falcons wanted to do.
Jacksonville's starting defense played the entire first half of the game.
Jaguars starters gave up first downs, including four via pass and one via rush. They held Atlanta to 1 of 6 on third downs and 0 for 1 on fourth down, 98 total net yards, including 21 net rushing yards and 77 net passing yards.
Mac Jones tosses touchdown to roster-bubble WR Elijah Cooks to extend Jaguars lead
Aug 23, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) passes against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
To close out the first half, Jaguars backup QB Mac Jones continued what Lawrence began, completing 8 of 10 passes for 73 yards and a touchdown.
Jones' touchdown came with around 20 seconds remaining in the first half on a 13-yard touchdown to receiver Elijah Cooks, who is squarely on the roster bubble in the team's loaded receivers room.
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Cooks was signed last year as an undrafted free agent and made the team as the seventh receiver.
Jones led the Jaguars to two more scoring drives: a 13-play, 70-yard drive ending in a Jalen Jackson touchdown run and a 12-play, 63-yard drive that ended in a 40-yard field goal made by rookie kicker Cam Little .
Jones completed 13 of 18 passes for 113 yards and a touchdown before being pulled out of the game with about 10 minutes remaining for newly signed QB E.J. Perry .
Perry finished the game completing both of his passes for four yards before operating in victory formation for the final two minutes of the contest.
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Jaguars final stats roundup vs. Falcons
Jacksonville's offense totaled 30 first downs, including 13 rushing and 16 passing. They converted 8 of 14 third downs and the team's lone fourth-down attempt. The offense finished with 412 total net yards, including 208 total net rushing yards and 204 total net passing yards.
Defensively, Jacksonville held Atlanta to eight total first downs, 1 of 10 on third down, 157 total net yards, including 76 total net rushing yards and 81 net passing yards.
Little converted his lone field-goal attempt and made all four extra points.
Running back Gary Brightwell led the team in rushing with 49 yards on 12 attempts, while Thomas led the team in receiving yards with 38. Engram led the team in touchdowns with two. Jaguars quarterbacks connected with 13 different receivers.
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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: Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars starters excel in preseason vs. Falcons
