The Jacksonville Jaguars will look to bounce back from two straight losses when they take on the 2-1 Atlanta Falcons.
Atlanta got out to a 2-1 start, but lost to the Detroit Lions last week to suffer a first loss of the season. Now, Jacksonville meets the Falcons in London in an attempt to get back to .500.
Buy Jaguars TicketsWhile the Falcons had a rough 2022, they have a more talented team and have looked better after some new additions.
Here are five players who could cause problems for the Jaguars, as they attempt to end their two-game losing streak:
RB Bijan Robinson
Shifty 👀
📺: FOX | NFL+ pic.twitter.com/YrUIqZJPyr
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) September 20, 2023
Running back Bijan Robinson is one of, if not the best rookie in the league. Robinson has a unique blend of speed and strength, making it a challenge to bring him down.
He’s got 213 yards on 5.5 yards per carry, 14 catches for 102 yards, and a touchdown through the air in the first three games of his career. He’s already one of the most dynamic players in the league, which will provide the Jaguars a real challenge.
Linebackers Foye Oluokun and Chad Muma, who’s filling in for the injured Devin Lloyd, will be tasked with bringing down the elusive rusher. While the Falcons have several running backs, Robinson is the key to the offense.
TE Kyle Pitts
Tight end Kyle Pitts, like Robinson, is an extremely versatile weapon for the Falcons. Pitts graduated from Florida and was one of the most sought out tight end prospects ever, but he’s yet to translate his talent into production on the field.
Regardless, he’s a mismatch because of his size when matched up with safeties and speed when guarded by linebackers.
Pitts has nine catches for 100 yards so far this season. Oluokun, Muma, and safety Rayshawn Jenkins will likely be the players used to neutralize the young tight end.
DL Calais Campbell
Former Jacksonville defensive end Calais Campbell returns to London, where he played multiple times representing the Jaguars. Campbell was one of Atlanta’s big free agent signings in the offseason.
He only had seven tackles through the first three games of the season, but he was a productive player for the Baltimore Ravens over the past three seasons. Now, Campbell returns to the familiar London.
Campbell will be matched up against Jacksonville’s interior offensive line, including center Luke Fortner and guard Brandon Scherff.
CB A.J. Terrell
A.J. Terrell struggled last season, but he’s shown flashes of being a top cornerback in the league. And now he’s facing Calvin Ridley.
The new Jaguars receiver had a great week in the first game of the Jaguars’ season, but he’s since stalled. Ridley had eight catches for 101 yards and a touchdown Week 1 but only had five catches for 72 yards in the past two games.
Ridley will be looking to get right, while Terrell will look to continue to prove his worth as a top-tier cornerback.
S Jessie Bates III
Atlanta safety Jessie Bates III has proven he’s worth his contract already. The Falcons signed Bates to a four-year, $64 million contract in the offseason.
So far, he has 24 total tackles, three interceptions, three passes defended and a forced fumble. Bates is best in coverage but can help make open field tackles and take down Jacksonville’s dangerous weapons.
Bates picked off rookie quarterback Bryce Young twice in Week 1 and NFL veteran Jared Goff in Week 3, so he’s got the skill to disrupt Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s game in Week 4.
