After losing their Week 2 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Jacksonville Jaguars dropped a second-straight game, this time to the Houston Texans. The Jaguars now sit at 1-2 three games into a season where experts had them projected as a top AFC team.
Their chance to bounce back comes in their home away from home, London. On Sunday, Jacksonville will play the Atlanta Falcons, who have a 2-1 record to start their season.
Buy Jaguars TicketsLast season, the Falcons would have been a penciled-in victory for the Jaguars. However, this year, their revamped defense and growing offense give the Jaguars more of a challenge in the first London game of the year.
Here are five Jaguars players to watch in their across-the-pond tilt against the Falcons in Week 4:
WR Calvin Ridley
Wide receiver Calvin Ridley looked well worth the trade in his first game with the Jaguars. However, he drastically slowed down in his next two games.
In Week 1, he tallied eight catches for 101 yards and a touchdown. He’s combined for five catches and 72 with no touchdowns across the past two weeks.
Atlanta’s secondary, while not a top unit in the league, is much improved from last season. And they have cornerback A.J. Terrell, who’s looked like one of the best corners in the league at times.
In the Falcons past two games, receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jayden Reed, who functioned as their teams’ No. 1 options, had productive weeks. If Ridley takes a page from their books, he can get back on track and jumpstart the Jaguars’ offense.
C Luke Fortner
Atlanta has what could be one of the best defensive lines Jacksonville faces this year. The team returns longtime Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and 2022 second-round pick Arnold Ebiketie. Atlanta also brought in David Onyemata and Calais Campbell in the offseason.
Jacksonville’s interior offensive line will likely be asked to contribute a lot this week. Fortner, the team’s center, could see the most action. If he communicates with the rest of the offensive line and stays focused, the Jaguars will have one less area to worry about.
TE Evan Engram
Tight end Evan Engram is coming off his best game of the year. Last week against the Texans, Engram finished the game with seven catches for 67 yards.
The more involved Engram is, the more versatile the Jaguars’ offense is. And the Falcons could give Engram the opportunity to replicate his Week 3 success.
Through three weeks, Atlanta has allowed a combined 18 catches, 157 yards, and two touchdowns to tight ends.
LB Foye Oluokun
Jacksonville linebacker Foye Oluokun will need to be all over the field Sunday. Oluokun is a strong tackler and smart defensive leader. And the Falcons have the payers who can challenge his abilities.
Atlanta’s running back room has rookie Bijan Robinson and second-year Tyler Allgeier, who combine for a great rushing duo. Oluokun will need to contain the backs and bring them down quickly. Robinson will be especially hard to bring down, and he could take a carry to the house at any given moment.
Oluokun will also need to keep his head on a swivel in the middle of the field. Atlanta tight end Kyle Pitts is maybe the most athletic tight end in the league and has big play threat written all over him.
If Pitts and the Falcons run game are neutralized, Atlanta’s offensive attack will be much less intimidating.
CB Tyson Campbell
Cornerback Tyson Campbell has proven to be one of the best players on Jacksonville’s defense through the last couple seasons. And this week he will be tested.
Campbell figures to see a handful of reps across from second-year Falcons receiver Drake London. The 6’4 receiver sees inconsistent usage but is an extremely dangerous player for Atlanta.
While he’s the featured wide receiver in the offense, Campbell may also need to help when Pitts is lined up outside as a receiver.
