2023 Jaguars Week Four: A Return to London

It’s safe to say that the Jaguars didn’t right the ship in week three. They might’ve made things a whole lot worse.

An offensive implosion and continuing to shoot themselves in the foot has been a theme of the 2023 season so far. Underperforming stars and holes across the roster add to the uncertainty heading into the Jaguars week four matchup against the Falcons. Fortunately, the Jaguars return to their home away from home: London.

Before heading into the Jaguars week four game, there’s a lot to know, so let’s look at some of the injuries, game notes, and matchups to watch for in London.

Jaguars Week Four: Returning to Their Home Away From Home

The Jacksonville Jaguars and London have become synonymous at this point, making the trip consistent in recent years. However, those return trips haven’t been quite so fruitful, as the Jaguars have gone 4-5 in London. Their opponent hasn’t given the Jaguars much luck either, with the Falcons going 5-3 against the Jaguars and losing the past four matchups.

But the Jaguars have used the London trip as a turning point in their season before. In 2022, the Jaguars lost to the Broncos in London and sought to rebound going forward after starting poorly. But, there was evidence that things could turn around from that London game, and the Jaguars week four matchup in 2023 is shaping up to be another inflection point for the Jaguars.

The Atlanta Falcons are an interesting team for the Jaguars to face. The Falcons offense has some of the most polarizing offensive weapons between Kyle Pitts, Bijan Robinson, and Drake London. But Desmond Ridder hasn’t been able to connect with the receivers, limiting the offensive output for the Falcons. Those offensive struggles haven’t mattered as much, as the Falcons pose a 2-1 record.

Defensively, the Falcons have also found success early this season. The Jaguars week four opponent has only allowed 54 points to opposing offenses, good for 7th in the NFL. Not only have they allowed few points, but the Falcons also are top ten in offensive yards per play and a top ten passing defense.

A challenge for Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars offense after struggling against a Texans defense that isn’t nearly as high. Not a recipe for success in a vacuum. However, the Jaguars can turn things around by not shooting themselves in the foot. If there was one overarching theme of the season for the Jaguars, it was self-inflicted wounds.

With a tough matchup on the horizon and a struggling offense, a deeper dive of some of the key matchups in the Jaguars week four game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Matchups to Watch in the Jaguars Week Four in London

Jaguars Defense vs. Bijan Robinson (and Tyler Allgeier)

The most captivating player from the 2023 NFL draft class has been Bijan Robinson, thanks to his incredible playmaking ability through the air and ground. Even with some dynamic receiving options in Kyle Pitts and Drake London, Robinson has been far and away the most important weapon for the Falcons.

This matchup isn’t as bad for the Jaguars. One of the negatives for the Jaguars through three weeks has been the pass defense, and mainly the pass rush. However, the Jaguars defense is 6th in yards allowed on running plays. While the pass rush isn’t quite there, the run defense is. For the Jaguars week four matchup against a tough opponent in Bijan Robinson, it will be imperative that the defense can slow him down.

Foyesade Oluokun will be instrumental in stopping the run, as Bijan can get past the line of scrimmage and to the second level. With Oluokun being one of the best-tackling linebackers in the NFL, his role in wrapping up Bijan Robinson will be necessary for the Jaguars’ success.

The other player who needs to step up this week is Travon Walker. After Aiden Hutchinson put up great numbers during Thursday night football, the heat couldn’t be turned higher for Walker to live up to the number one overall pick hype. Of course, he hasn’t quite lived up to such lofty expectations, and his presence could be felt in the Jaguars week four matchup against Bijan Robinson and the Atlanta Falcons.

Jaguars Pass Rush vs. Falcons Offensive Line

Staying on the defensive side of the ball, the pass rush is in dire need of a get-right game. After the Falcons gave up seven sacks to the Lions, who had only gotten one sack through two weeks, there are major concerns about the Falcons’ offensive line. The Jaguars week four opponent is susceptible to the pass rush.

However, the Jaguars’ pass rush has been collapsing everything but pockets. Doug Pederson acknowledged it in his press conference earlier this week, and there’s not much change from last week to this week. The pass rush for the Jaguars week four matchup won’t be much better than it’s been in recent weeks.

Travon Walker, Josh Allen, Jeremiah Ledbetter, and Yasir Abdullah. All are capable of rushing the passer, or at least, they should be. This is a great week to try and fix things after a poor showing against an injury-laden Texans offensive line.

While Desmond Ridder hasn’t shown to be able to beat teams throwing the football, the pass rush will be needed if the Jaguars want to win this game. The Jaguars week four opponent struggles to throw the ball, so the Jaguars must make the worst aspect of the offense even worse if they Jaguars want to secure an even record in London.

Calvin Ridley vs. A.J. Terrell

Now, here’s the best matchup of the week between these two teams. Former teammates face each other as two players at the top of the game. Calvin Ridley against A.J. Terrell is the Jaguars week four matchup of the week.

If there was one aspect of this game worth watching, this might be it. Ridley and Terrell are fantastic players and also underrated at their respective positions. This matchup is going to be a huge factor in the result of this game, with the success of Ridley going hand-in-hand with the Jaguars’ success so far this season.

Jaguars week four features some incredible offensive and defensive talent, but this is the clash of the two most important players for the Falcons defense and Jaguars offense. While, in theory, the Jaguars can win without Calvin Ridley playing great, it hasn’t quite come to fruition thanks to the one issue plaguing Ridley so far: the drops.

Ridley has had a couple of drops in 2023, and some have even taken potential touchdowns off the scoreboard. If Ridley can turn it around and limit his drops, things will be looking much better for the Jaguars offense, as they sorely miss their big trade acquisition.

Injuries for the Jaguars and Falcons

Jaguars Injury Report

• Zay Jones (WR) Knee – OUT
• Antonio Johnson (DB) Hamstring – OUT
• Devin Lloyd (LB) Thumb – OUT
• Josh Allen (OLB) Shoulder – No Injury Designation
• Andrew Wingard (DB) Shoulder – No Injury Designation
• Anton Harrison (OT) Ankle – Questionable
• Foley Fatukasi (DT) Shoulder – Questionable
• Jamal Agnew (WR) Quad – Questionable

A long list of injuries for the Jaguars, including some valuable players on both sides of the ball. The Jaguars week four injury report isn’t looking great, especially with the questionable designation for Jamal Agnew being a true game-time decision.

The most noteworthy injury is Zay Jones continuing to be out with a knee injury. Some thought it would’ve been a one-week injury, but extending the issue into multiple weeks isn’t a good sign. But Christian Kirk has stepped up the past two weeks, and Calvin Ridley should get back to form, so Trevor Lawrence isn’t out of offensive weapons.

Josh Allen and Andrew Wingard are impactful players that the Jaguars can’t afford to lose, so seeing them both without a designation heading into the Jaguars week four matchup is huge. Harrison’s injury isn’t major, and he is expected to play, but the injury is a concern to pay attention to going forward. Fatukasi is also expected to go.

Devin Lloyd is another rough injury for the Jaguars, as he had surgery this past week on his thumb and will be out multiple weeks while Chad Muma takes his place.

Heading into the Jaguars week four matchup against the Falcons in London, it’s a long injury list comprised of multiple important players for the Jaguars. Paying attention to the injury status of these players will be important, as health is a major player in how teams perform on game days.

Falcons Injury Report

• Josh Ali (WR) Ankle – OUT
• Calais Campbell (DE) Rest – No Injury Designation
• Cordarrelle Patterson (RB) Thigh – Questionable

A short injury list for the Falcons means they are largely healthy heading into the Jaguars week four London matchup. Old Sacksonville member Calais Campbell looks to play and pose a threat to a Jaguars offensive line struggling to start the season.

Patterson might get his first action of the season against Jacksonville, but the real issue at running back for the Jaguars is trying to slow down Bijan Robinson.

There’s not much to look at regarding the Falcons injury report, which is a great sign through three weeks for the Falcons. A lot of teams are suffering injuries so far, so the Falcons being spared is huge to their success.

Prediction and Outlook

A chance to reset the season and get to 2-2 is up for grabs, and after the Jaguars fell to the Texans, they are in dire need of a get-right game. In the preseason predictions, I had the Jaguars beating an unknown Falcons team to get to 3-1. Now that the Jaguars lost to the Texans, it’s going to be difficult to be 3-1 at any point. But the next best thing is 2-2, which I think the Jaguars accomplish.

It’s a long season, and things can turn around in a short time. But, some of the issues the Jaguars are facing aren’t quite solvable in the short term. However, the pieces are there, and the Jaguars week four matchup presents an opportunity to take advantage of the strengths of this Jaguars team.

It’s easy to be down on this Jaguars team, but I think they’re just off to a slow start and will turn things around starting this week. I predict the Jaguars will begin finding their offensive footing and beat the Falcons in London to move to 2-2.