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Scout's Take: Bucky Brooks Examines Falcons-Jaguars, 2023 Week 4

Scouts Take

JACKSONVILLE – In a weekly feature for the 2023 season, NFL Media and Jaguars Media analyst Bucky Brooks breaks down the Jaguars’ performance in a 23-7 victory over the Atlanta Falcons at Wembley Stadium in London Sunday.

BIG IMPRESSION

  • The Jaguars are back on track after a solid overall performance in London. After a solid week of practice, the Jaguars again played their brand of football with a balanced offense supported by an opportunistic defense that came up with timely turnovers. With the special teams flipping the field with strong kicks and solid coverage, the Jaguars played a clean game on the way toward Victory No. 2 against a respectable opponent.

KEYS TO VICTORY

  • The Jaguars won due to a strong performance from the offense, defense and special teams. Head Coach Doug Pederson's squad played complementary football with a plus-three margin in the turnover battle, including a pick-six from cornerback Darious Williams. With quarterback Trevor Lawrence efficiently guiding the offense up and down the field, the Jaguars were able to knock off the Falcons with a performance that could send the team on a winning streak.

TREVOR'S TIME

  • The Jaguars' QB1 played a solid overall game against the Falcons. Lawrence completed 23 of 30 passes for 207 yards with a touchdown. He completed passes to six different receivers while playing turnover-free football. In addition, the third-year pro managed the game effectively by keeping the Jaguars on schedule with efficient playmaking from the pocket. Although the Jaguars' third-down efficiency (35.7 percent) and red-zone effectiveness (0 for 1) need to improve, Lawrence's solid performance helped the team get back into the winning column.

UNSUNG HERO

  • Outside linebacker Josh Allen has rediscovered his Pro Bowl form as a disruptive pass rusher off the edge. The fifth-year pro pushed his sacks total for the season to six with an impressive hat trick showcasing his speed, explosiveness and power against overmatched blockers. Allen's persistent pressure and constant disruption not only knocked Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder out of his rhythm, they also led to a few errors that resulted in turnovers. If the veteran can continue to thrive as the Jaguars' designated pass rusher, the defense will continue to produce takeaways in bunches.

OFFENSIVELY SPEAKING

  • The Jaguars got back on track by relying on a formula that worked well for the team in 2022. Wide receiver Christian Kirk and tight end Evan Engram anchored a balanced passing game, with running back Travis Etienne Jr. making moves as the leader of the ground attack. Though the numbers do not jump off the stat sheet with Kirk (eight catches, 84 yards), Engram (seven catches, 59 yards) and Etienne (20 carries, 55 yards and another three receptions for 17 yards), the trio's increased involvement set the table for an offense that featured more balanced approach that helped Lawrence find his rhythm as a playmaker.

DEFENSIVELY SPEAKING

  • The defense returned from a disappointing performance in Week 3 with an impressive showing against the Falcons. The pass rush and coverage worked in unison to disrupt the timing and rhythm of a young quarterback who was overwhelmed by the chaos around. Allen led the charge with three sacks and relentless pressure, but outside linebacker Travon Walker (one sack and two quarterback hits) and defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris (one quarterback hit) also played a role in the persistent pressure around Ridder. With Williams (pick-six) and safety Andre Cisco (one interception) feasting on the errant passes resulting from the disruption, the defense tilted the game in the Jaguars' favor with timely turnovers against the Falcons.

Swipe through exclusive photos from Week 4 for an inside look behind the lens of Jaguars Senior Manager of Photography, Kam Nedd.

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