The final preseason game is all that stands between us and the regular season. The Atlanta Falcons lost two quality players in their first preseason game and immediately parked two-thirds of their likely 53 man roster in the second week. That won’t change in the preseason finale, but for those who do play, it’s a final chance to make their case for a roster spot. It’s also our final preseason game before we wait a couple of weeks to see the Falcons kick off the regular season, so find what enjoyment you can from what’s likely to be another slog of a game. Keep an eye out for your preseason favorites enhancing their roster chances, Taylor Heinicke trying to play well enough to stick in Atlanta or be traded elsewhere, and any depth chart battles finally and decisively resolved by the performances in this one. When it’s over, we’ll turn our attention immediately to the looming specter of roster cuts.
Trevor Lawrence might not care about the narrative that he hasn't proven himself yet. His five-year, $275 million contract extension says he is already a top quarterback. Still, the Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback has had some ups and downs in his career, and this seems to be a pivotal season for how we view him. The good news is Lawrence looked excellent in Friday's preseason finale against the Atlanta Falcons. He came out with some sharp passes including a pretty touchdown pass to Evan Engram. He couldn't have placed the pass any better, barely getting it over the defender and to his tight end.
Then on the second drive, Lawrence drove the team downfield and hit Engram for another touchdown. Lawrence was excellent from the start. He completed all four passes for 59 yards on Jacksonville's first drive. He finished 8 of 10 for 91 yards and was pulled after the second series. That was against Falcons backups, but it's still good news for the Jaguars to see Lawrence locked in.
Lawrence Looks Ready to Lead
It wasn't just Lawrence. Travis Etienne Jr. looked very good. He started the night with runs of seven and 16 yards. He had 47 yards on seven carries in a little more than a quarter of work. Rookie first-round pick Brian Thomas Jr., who has gotten positive buzz through August from Jaguars camp, had a 38-yard catch on the first drive. Engram, coming off a bad season, made a nice catch on Lawrence's perfect touchdown pass and had four catches including a pair of touchdowns. On defense, former first overall pick Travon Walker had a sack and another third-down pressure on the next play that forced an incompletion.
The Jaguars looked good in their final preseason appearance. Last season they were probably headed to an AFC South title when Lawrence suffered a high ankle sprain. The wheels fell off after that and the Jaguars didn't make the playoffs. But maybe they can bounce back, if Lawrence's injury was the main reason for the collapse. On Friday night, Lawrence looked like he's ready to get the season started.
Falcons Look to Roster Cuts
The Falcons, meanwhile, will be focused on roster cuts after their preseason finale. They've already lost some key players to injuries and have been experimenting with their depth chart. Their starters are unlikely to see any action in this game. The Falcons are looking to finalize their roster and get ready for the regular season.
A Look Back at the Game
The Jacksonville Jaguars traveled to Atlanta, Ga., to face off against the Atlanta Falcons for their final contest of the 2024 preaseason. Friday's game marks the 17th meeting between the two teams in the preseason. The Jaguars hold a 9-7 advantage in the series. Most recently, Atlanta defeated Jacksonville, 28-12, on Aug. 27, 2022 after two days of joint practices. Last week, Jacksonville tallied their fifth-straight preseason win dating back to 2023 with a 20-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. QB Mac Jones went 16-for-23 for 210 yards and two touchdowns, achieving a passer rating of 127.1.
Looking Ahead
The Jaguars and Falcons are both looking to build momentum heading into the regular season. The Jaguars will be hoping that Lawrence can continue his strong play and lead them to a successful season. The Falcons, meanwhile, are hoping that they can fill the holes on their roster and be competitive in the NFC South. Both teams will have their work cut out for them, but they are both confident that they can have successful seasons.
The Game's Highlights
The Falcons will be hoping that their young players can step up and make a strong case for a roster spot. With the regular season just around the corner, this game will be an important one for both teams.
The Jaguars were able to get their starters some valuable reps in the game, which should help them prepare for the regular season. The Falcons, meanwhile, will be hoping to use the game to evaluate their depth chart and make some difficult roster decisions.
The game was a good test for both teams, and it will be interesting to see how both teams perform in the regular season. It will be interesting to see how both teams perform in the regular season.
