The Jacksonville Jaguars (2-0) and Atlanta Falcons (0-2) are set to conclude their preseason on Friday night at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with kickoff at 7:00 p.m. EST. This matchup follows their previous encounter in London last season, where Jacksonville emerged victorious with a score of 23-7. Fans will be eager to see if the outcome will mirror the past.
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Jacksonville’s Preseason Strategy
Last weekend, the Jaguars continued their winning streak by defeating Tampa Bay 20-7, with the game primarily driven by backup players. Quarterback Mac Jones made a notable impression, seemingly securing the QB2 position. Head Coach Doug Pederson has indicated that starters are expected to see significant playing time on Friday, as the team is treating this contest with seriousness akin to a regular season game.
Star quarterback Trevor Lawrence had limited action in the first preseason game, but Friday marks his first substantial play since the end of the 2023 season. Jacksonville’s offensive strategy relies heavily on a passing game, ranking 6th in attempts last year. Lawrence’s connection with Evan Engram, newly acquired Gabe Davis, and first-round draft pick Brian Thomas Jr. will be critical, especially since Christian Kirk is sidelined. Running backs Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby are set to manage the ground game. The offensive line, however, remains a question mark for the upcoming season, having finished 25th in sacks allowed and 28th in rushing yards last year. Mitch Morse’s addition at center aims to strengthen this unit, but depth remains a concern as players like Cole Van Lanen, Tyler Shatley, and Blake Hance vie for a position.
Meanwhile, Jacksonville’s defense, previously a weak point, showed improvement under new leadership. They restricted the Chiefs to 13 points in their preseason opener and continued the trend by limiting the Buccaneers to seven. Stability appears to be a focus for the Jaguars, with only cornerback Montaric Brown potentially on the roster bubble. The defense is expected to build on this foundation as they prepare for the regular season.
Key Injuries – Arik Armstead, CJ Beathard, Christian Kirk, Darnell Savage
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Atlanta’s Focus on Player Health
The Falcons have strategically rested several key players in preparation for the upcoming season. This includes rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who is not slated to start this year. Fans should expect a similar approach on Friday, with several roster spots still in contention.
Particularly, the competition for the running back position is heating up, as Carlos Washington Jr. (64 rushing yards) and Jase McClellan (85 rushing yards) are both eager to secure a spot. Wide receiver Chris Blair, a standout in the preseason with 136 receiving yards, is also expected to receive more targets. Additionally, Kyle Hinton and Jovaughn Gwyn are in a tight race for a guard position. The Falcons are unlikely to risk their star players like Kirk Cousins, Bijan Robinson, Drake London, or Kyle Pitts in this game, relying instead on their depth to challenge Jacksonville’s starters.
Defensively, Atlanta’s recent performance was commendable, allowing only 13 points in their last outing. While it was against backup players, this is still a positive sign under new defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen. Recent trade acquisition Matthew Judon might not see action on Friday. Interestingly, Atlanta’s interior defensive line has impressed, with the possibility of keeping seven or eight players in that position on the roster. Given their previous struggles, including allowing 2,009 rushing yards in 2023, depth in this area is essential. The back seven seems settled, but the question remains: Can they sustain their momentum from Week 2?
Best Bets for Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Atlanta Falcons
This matchup indicates a clear disparity between the teams, with Jacksonville likely to field their starters while Atlanta opts for a more cautious approach. The Jaguars are anticipated to establish an early lead, potentially creating a double-digit margin by halftime depending on starter performance.
Overcoming a double-digit deficit, particularly at home, presents a significant challenge. The Falcons have struggled to score, not exceeding 13 points in any preseason game thus far. Jacksonville’s starters are expected to capitalize on this, suggesting a strong likelihood of the Jaguars covering the spread.
