Looking to get back in the win column after a tough loss on the road to Detroit last week, the Atlanta Falcons headed to Wembley Stadium in London for a matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The results were pretty similar to those at Ford Field as the Falcons (2-2) failed to get anything going on offense and left defeated for their second straight loss after starting the season 2-0.
Desmond Ridder finished the game 19 of 31 for 192 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Making his eighth NFL start, Ridder showed his inexperience with interceptions coming on back-to-back throws in the first half.
Pass protection continues to be the glaring weakness for Atlanta as Ridder has been sacked 16 times over the first four weeks of the season, third in the league behind Sam Howell (24) and Justin Fields (17). He was sacked four times on Sunday, three by linebacker Josh Allen, and it’s the third game this season where Ridder has been sacked 4-plus times.
With the Falcons trailing 10-0 in the second quarter, Jaguars cornerback Darious Williams stepped in front of wide receiver Drake London and took Ridder’s pass 61-yards the other way to up the score to 17-0.
The Falcons actually failed to convert a first down until early in the second quarter when Jonnu Smith caught a 15-yard pass to their 44. Atlanta made its first trip across the 50-yard line with 5:55 left in the half when Bijan Robinson took and 8-yard carry to the Jags 47. Two plays later, Williams had his pick-6.
Atlanta seemed to find new life during the first drive of the second half with Ridder orchestrating an 8-play, 75-yard drive that took only 3:22 and ended with a 15-yard touchdown pass to London to cut the Jacksonville lead to 17-7.
There was an opportunity for the Falcons to cut the lead to 17-14 on a fourth-and-3 from the 6-yard-line with just over six minutes remaining in the game but Ridder’s pass was a little late and London was unable to get both feet in-bound in the back of the end zone.
The rushing attack worked more effectively compared to last week, Bijan Robinson led the charge with 105 yards on 14 carries. Tyler Allgeier continues to see his touches dwindle down, he finished with seven carries for 16 yards.
Jonnu Smith led Atlanta with 6 receptions for 95 yards. Despite the touchdown reception, Drake London only managed to haul in three of his seven targets for 28 yards. Kyle Pitts was targeted four times with 2 catches for only 21 yards.
The defense managed to record two sacks of Trevor Lawrence but the Cartersville native finished 23 of 30 with 207 yards and one touchdown. He was also able to make plays with his legs, rushing 8 times for 42 yards with a long rush of 22 yards early in the first quarter.
The Falcons will look to turn things around next week as they come back to Mercedes Benz to host C.J. Stroud and the red hot Houston Texans in the first of back-to-back home games.
Pregame coverage of Falcons vs. Texans begins October 8th at 9:00am with the Wade Ford Tailgate Show and kickoff scheduled for 1:00pm. Hear all the action ONLY on Atlanta Sports Radio, 92.9 The Game.