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Writer's pictureDan Tortora

Three Phases Work As One in Jags’ Win


The Jacksonville Jaguars had an opportunity to regroup following a two-game losing streak early on in the season when they took off to London for a two-game stretch there, the first being a match-up with the Atlanta Falcons.


Their two-game losing streak happened at home, falling to the Kansas City Chiefs 17-9 and then the Houston Texans by a score of 37-17.


So, when home does not feel like home, a trip across the pond to their home-away-from-home came at the most opportune time to hopefully give the team the chance to shake off what has happened and turn themselves back into the right direction.


And the Jaguars responded with exactly that, a turn in the right direction.


Wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who scored in Week 1 on the road at AFC South rival Indianapolis Colts in his debut as a Jaguar, had gone quiet since, but his roar was heard with a 30-yard touchdown on a pass play from quarterback Trevor Lawrence at the 5:43 mark of the first quarter.


Jacksonville would take that lead and never trail for a moment in this match-up, elevating to a 17-0 at the half after a 56-yard field goal by kicker Brandon McManus at the 14:51 mark of the second quarter, followed by a 61-yard interception return by cornerback Darious Williams with 4:31 left in the half.


Therefore, halfway through this game, every single phase had scored points: offense then special teams and defense.


The lone score the Jaguars would allow came with 11:38 left in the third quarter when quarterback Desmond Ridder found wide receiver Drake London for a 15-yard score that made it 17-7 Jacksonville.


McManus would add two more field goals to the Jaguars' lead in the fourth quarter, the first of these from 43 yards out and the second from 38 to close the game out 23-7.


Jacksonville linebacker Josh Allen finished with three sacks, the last being a strip-sack, forcing Ridder to fumble, with defensive end and teammate Angelo Blackson recovering the ball.


Syracuse Orange alum and starting free safety Andre Cisco would join Darious Williams with an interception on Ridder as well as Jacksonville and Atlanta each moved to 2-2 on the Jacksonville victory.


The Jaguars will continue their play in London with a game against the Buffalo Bills this coming Sunday, October 8.


Lawrence finished 23-for-30 for 207 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions.


Ridder was 19-for-31 for the Falcons, with 191 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.


Travis Etienne, Jr., carried the ball 20 times for 55 yards (2.8 yards per carry), while rookie running back Tank Bigsby had three carries for 10 yards (3.3 yards per carry) for the Jaguars.


Rookie running back Bijan Robinson led all backs, crossing the 100-yard threshold, taking 14 carries 105 yards (7.5 yards per carry). Tyler Allgeier had seven carries for 16 yards (2.3 yards per carry).


Wide receiver Christian Kirk led Jacksonville with eight catches for 84 yards, followed by tight end Evan Engram with seven receptions for 59 yards.


Tight end Jonnu Smith led both teams in receiving yards, with 95 on six catches.


Bijan Robinson had five catches for 32 yards, London had three catches for 28 yards (including his touchdown), and tight end Kyle Pitts had two catches for 21 yards.

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