Game overview:
The Jaguars ran their 1st-team offense and defense against one of the worst 2nd/3rd-team units that I’ve seen in the preseason, consistently, the Falcons. So, it was no surprise that the Jags looked uber-efficient and scored a TD on each drive while shitting out the Falcons terrible backup offense (no Penix) on the two drives they battled each other in.
When the Jags went to their B-team, they slowed down a bit but still handled the very weak C/D-team of Atlanta.
You want your 1st-team to go out and crush the weak...and your B-team too, but the Falcons backup teams are so talent-deficient, especially on offense that it’s not the greatest accolade to have smashed ATL...but it happened, so take a bow Jags.
Scouting Notes from the game:
-- Evan Engram (4-28-0/4) scored 2 TDs, which is good to see because the whole Engram-Lawrence connection baffles me...it’s so simple, such a mismatch coverage opportunity, such an easy throw for Trevor...but the 1st-half of the past two seasons, Trevor ignores Engram for TDs – then in the 2nd-half it’s suddenly ‘Engram time’!
The past two seasons (playing every game)...
Weeks 1-8 = 1 TD pass to Engram 2022 + 2023
Weeks 9-17 = 7 TD passes 2022 + 2023
Is it just a fluke anomaly?
Does Trevor finally get it with Engram and the two TDs this preseason game were a sign? I love Engram but Trevor always holds me back from making him a cornerstone of my FF redrafts.
8 TDs in two full seasons, 4 per season...FF-sucks (for a top-notch FF TE). Engram so should be the #1 TE in Fantasy, but Trevor holds him back/puts a cap on his upside.
Engram games with 60 or more yards with Trevor:
Weeks 1-8 = 4 games with 60+ 2022 + 2023
Weeks 9-17 = 8 games with 60+ 2022 + 2023
Engram games with 6 or more catches with Trevor:
Weeks 1-8 = 7 games with 60+ 2022 + 2023
Weeks 9-17 = 8 games with 60+ 2022 + 2023
Engram gets little baby throws from Engram, but Trevor is not making EE a weapon like he should...he more treats him like a checkdown to the RB pass way too often.
- Jaguars WR report...
Brian Thomas Jr. (1-38-0/1) had a nice Justin Jefferson-like play in this game...crossing middle-deep finding space in the zone, Trevor hit him in-stride and he just raced for 30+ yards. It makes me want to fall hard in love with BTJ for FF 2024, but then I look back over the 1st-team work here and it’s my greatest fear, displayed on paper Thomas gets 1 target in this game...my fear is Thomas isn’t going to get the targets he needs from Trevor/Trevor is the wrong QB situation to make BTJ shine.
Parker Washington (4-35-0/4), in the Christian Kirk slot role here, led the team in targets way above Thomas...because that’s what’s about to happen in FF 2024...at least early on in the season. Kirk is gonna rule the targets. Then Evan Engram is the strong #2.
‘New guys’ Thomas Jr. and Gabe Davis (0-0-0/2) are in big trouble with Trevor. Davis stinks, but Thomas Jr. is future-great, but gonna get screwed, I can feel it. I hope I’m wrong.
It feels like Washington and Devin Duvernay (1-15-0/1) are the #4-5, in some order WRs. #6 WR is up from grabs. My guy/rookie UDFA Brevin Easton didn’t even see a snap here...not sure if injury or other. He could be the #6-7, but more likely put easily onto the practice squad.
-- Mac Jones (13/18 for 113 yards, 1 TD/0 INT) still sucks...despite a safe day/nice box score day here.
I watch him play QB now for JAX...and like watching him last season – I cannot believe he was ever a starting QB in the NFL. Some of this can be blamed on a loss of confidence – has to be hard to fall from such grace, but much is on Mac.
Doug Pederson, uncharacteristically, chimed in a comment post-game that had no place or need. After the game, coach Pederson said...
“Mac has played extremely well the last couple of weeks and really has bought into what we do,” Pederson said Friday after the Jaguars routed the Falcons, 31-0. “He’ll still revert back to his Patriot ways every now and then and we got to remind him he’s in Jacksonville.”
The absolute arrogance...the hubris...NFL coaches are addicted to running their mouths at every open mic. I would remind Pedersen of two things: (1) Mac Jones looks like $#!& still...so whatever special sauce dysfunctional Jacksonville magically brings, it ain’t working to fix Mac. (2) Why don’t you sprinkle that ‘Jacksonville’ BS onto Trevor Lawrence, because he is nothing like he was supposed to be.
Pederson, who I like, didn’t need to say that...but he’s gonna eat this season as HOU-IND-TEN blow past JAX and Stroud-Richardson-Levis blow past Trevor (which is already true)...and Pederson will be the fall guy for it. I think this is Pederson’s last year in Jacksonville. These Mac Jones comments don’t make me think Pederson is going to be able to shock the world in 2024.
-- Not much to speak of at all on the Falcons. Again, what a terrible group of backup talent. So boring to watch...so unhelpful to the cause. Watching them makes me worry that the Falcons are not a shoo-in for the NFC South.
The only guy catching my eye on offense, among the backups for ATL, is WR Chris Blair (2-18-0/4). But he still needs time/development. However, he’ll likely make this roster out of a lack of WR talent they have. I could see ATL grabbing some cut WRs TUE-WED. Possibly a Tutu Atwell trade?
I know they (Falcons coaches and beat writers) keep saying how much they like rookie UDFA WR Casey Washington (2-31-0/6), but I don’t see it all – way too slow to try and get open on press coverage. Is fine drifting around in a zone.
-- IDP report...
JAX ILB Chad Muma (3 tackles) was in the starting lineup with Devin Lloyd, but no Foye Oluokun here...so, I’m not sure Muma is really starting or not. Looks like he is now starting in a 4-3 alignment.
JAX LB Ventrell Miller (4 tackles) is a backup ILB. I thought he’d be a better pro, but he looks very ‘meh’.
2023 UDFA CB Natrone Brooks (6 tackles) continues to defy his bad Pro Day and mediocre college career by tearing it up as a pro in this preseason. He’s tackling everything and is even returning kicks some. I think he’s forced his way onto the team in some capacity.
