Falcons @ Jaguars
Final Score: Jaguars 23, Falcons 7
Writer: Brian Hartman (@TooMuch_Brian on Twitter)
In a Sunday morning showdown at London’s iconic Wembley Stadium, the Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons delivered an entertaining game that was simulcasted as an animated adventure. The final score, 23-7 in favor of the Jaguars, echoed the excitement of a lively game that captivated audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. The Toy Story-inspired animated telecast from Andy’s Room, complete with playful touches like Slinky Dog as the chain gang and The Claw resetting the ball before each play, added a whimsical dimension to the contest and delighted many of the game’s youngest fans.
Trevor Lawrence, the Jaguars’ quarterback, showcased his leadership as he completed 23 of 30 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown, connecting with former Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley for a 30-yard touchdown pass. The Jaguars’ defense turned in a series of big plays, including a pick-six by Darious Williams, the first in London since 2016. The Falcons attempted a spirited comeback in the second half, but fell short. Desmond Ridder, the Falcons’ second-year quarterback, demonstrated inexperience via interceptions on back-to-back throws in the first half, reminiscent of a young hero learning valuable lessons along the way. Falcons Head Coach Arthur Smith must see Bijan Robinson as the savior of their ground game; Disney/Pixar missed a clear opportunity to dress Smith up as a Toy Story alien on the sidelines who greets cartoon Bijan with the iconic line: “you saved our lives, we are eternally grateful.”
Christian Kirk stepped up as the Jaguars’ key receiver in this one, displaying agility and the skill of a seasoned cowboy on a daring mission. The Jaguars have faced two teams who ranked in the Bottom 5 in man coverage rate this year entering Week 4. Kirk saw target shares of 9.4 percent and 15 percent in those games. They faced two teams that rank in the Top 5 in man coverage rate this year. Kirk’s target shares in those games were 34.1 and 40.0 percent. Meanwhile, the Falcons leaned on running back Bijan Robinson, who rushed for 105 yards on 14 carries and led the charge with the determination of a charismatic space ranger. The Falcons’ season started strong with a 2-0 record, but with this two-game skid, they’re not exactly “falling with style,” as Buzz Lightyear might. The Jaguars combined offensive balance with opportunistic defensive plays, resulting in a game that felt like an unexpected adventure filled with surprises and twists that brought a playful spirit to the gridiron.
One Up
- Bijan Robinson – This elite Top 10 pick is a one-man show! What can’t this guy do (except score rushing touchdowns)? He will continue to produce whether it’s a winning game script or not.
Two Down
- Falcons Receiving options – Desmond Ridder just flat-out offers no inspiration to this passing game. There is so much talent on the offensive side of the ball for the Falcons, but it seems only Bijan Robinson has the ability to escape Ridder’s mediocrity. I can’t help but wonder if the offense would’ve moved the ball better today if they subbed in Mr. Potato Head under center.
- Calvin Ridley – Calvin pulled in a touchdown today, but it saved fantasy managers from another down performance. Since Week 1, he has watched his target share plummet every Sunday, finishing with a disappointing 6.7 percent mark today.
Atlanta Falcons
Quarterback
Desmond Ridder, the Falcons’ young quarterback, had a challenging day at Wembley. His most notable gaffes were two interceptions on back-to-back throws in the first half. His failure to consistently connect with his receivers hindered the Falcons’ offense, much like a malfunctioning toy running on dying batteries. As the Falcons attempted to stage a comeback in the second half, Ridder’s journey on the field was marked by ups and downs. Unfortunately, the downs affected the outcome of the game far more than the ups.
Running Back
Bijan Robinson had a heroic fantasy performance, rushing for 105 yards and accumulating 21.7 fantasy points. His remarkable efficiency has turned fantasy managers into happy owners, as Robinson has become a valuable asset in their lineups despite seeing a bit less volume than anticipated.
Tyler Allgeier: 7 Carries, 16 Yards | 2 Targets, 1 Reception
Tyler Allgeier didn’t quite light up the fantasy scoreboard, earning a modest 2.2 fantasy points thanks to a mere 16 rushing yards. Unfortunately, his performance resembled more of a minor character’s cameo in the Toy Story universe, like a Pizza Planet counter worker.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Drake London: 7 Targets, 3 Receptions, 28 Yards, TD
Drake London‘s touchdown catch was a fantasy highlight, allowing him to post 11.8 fantasy points for his fantasy managers. That’s right: London caught a touchdown in London. In doing so, he demonstrated a knack for making a fantasy impact and proved that he’s too valuable to be shelved on fantasy rosters.
KhaDarel Hodge: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 19 Yards
Mack Hollins: 3 Targets
Kyle Pitts: 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 21 Yards
Kyle Pitts, the highly touted third-year tight end, was targeted only four times, and his two receptions for 21 yards left fantasy owners with a sour taste of disappointment in the form of 4.1 fantasy points. He is becoming more and more irrelevant in fantasy football with every passing week.
Jonnu Smith: 6 Targets, 6 Receptions, 95 Yards
Jonnu Smith unexpectedly stole the show in London with six receptions for 95 yards, inexplicably outperforming Pitts at the tight end position. I know, I know…I don’t get it, either.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Quarterback
Trevor Lawrence’s struggles continued in London, as he posted a subpar performance with just 16.5 fantasy points. However, he wasn’t positively dreadful as a passer, and he did make a few big gains with his legs. That said, his inconsistent play this season might have fantasy managers wishing they could press the reset button on the fairly high draft pick used to secure his services.
Running Back
Travis Etienne had an underwhelming day on the field, as if he had a snake in his boot or something. He managed to collect 10.2 fantasy points thanks in large part to volume (20 rushing attempts and three receptions for 17 yards). While his fantasy production might not have been as dazzling as Buzz Lightyear’s space adventures, Etienne still made a respectable contribution to fantasy rosters.
Tank Bigsby: 3 Carries, 10 Yards
Tank Bigsby didn’t impact this game much, much like a forgotten toy in the attic.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Calvin Ridley‘s touchdown reception added excitement to fantasy rosters, contributing to his 11.8 fantasy points. Ridley’s end zone connection with Desmond Ridder delighted those who made the former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver a prized addition to their fantasy lineups. Unfortunately, the bigger story here for Ridley managers is his disappointing usage: only two targets, despite the absence of Zay Jones.
Christian Kirk‘s stellar performance translated to 16.4 fantasy points, offering fantasy managers a sense of security and fulfillment. Kirk’s reliability and consistency with Zay Jones out of the lineup are akin to a cherished teddy bear that brings a calming presence.
Evan Engram‘s contribution to fantasy rosters was like finding a hidden gem in the toy chest. His eight receptions for 59 yards added 12.9 fantasy points, proving that he’s a valuable asset for fantasy managers in search of reliable production from the tight end position. Engram is quietly offering solid production at the thinnest position in fantasy football.