The Atlanta Falcons and the Jacksonville Jaguars meet Sunday in NFL action from Wembley Stadium in London. The Falcons are coming off a matchup versus the Lions. In that one Atlanta fell by two scores As for the Jaguars, they played the Texans in their Week 3 game. Jacksonville managed to lose that one as well in a blowout. Check back all season long for free NFL picks at Sports Chat Place.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons started out their season with a nice 24-10 win over the Panthers. Atlanta QB Desmond Ridder finished with 115 yards and a score in that one, and Tyler Allgeier had 75 yards with two rush TDs. Game two was another win for the Falcons, this time 25-24 over the Packers. Bijan Robinson led the rush this time with 19 carries for 124 yards.
In game three versus the Lions, Atlanta went into the break with a 13-3 deficit. The Falcons scored just three more points from there and lost 20-6. Ridder had 201 yards on 21-of-38 passing and Robinson added 33 rush yards. Kyle Pitts was tops in receiving with five catches for 41 yards.
Atlanta Falcons Team Facts
The favorites have won each of the Falcons' last 10 games.
The Falcons have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games as underdogs against AFC opponents.
The Falcons have lost the first quarter in seven of their last eight games against teams that held a losing record.
The Falcons have lost the first half in each of their last four games as underdogs.
Each of the Falcons' last six games as underdogs have gone UNDER the total points line.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Over on the Jaguars’ side, they also started out the 2023 campaign with a win, theirs 31-21 over the Colts. Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence threw for 241 yards, two scores and an interception in the opener. Game two was the Jags’ first loss, 17-9 to Kansas City. Christian Kirk had a nice receiving day in the defeat with 11 catches for 110 yards.
Jacksonville matched up with the Texans in their third game of the year and notched another weak performance. The Jaguars gave up points in every quarter during a 37-17 loss. Lawrence threw for 279 yards, one TD and one interception while Travis Etienne added 88 rush yards on 19 carries.
Jacksonville Jaguars Team Facts
The Jaguars have lost each of their last 10 games against NFC South opponents.
The Jaguars have failed to cover the spread in each of their last 10 games against NFC South opponents.
The Jaguars have lost the first quarter in each of their last eight games against NFC South opponents.
The Jaguars have lost the first half in each of their last nine games against NFC opponents.
The Jaguars have scored the first touchdown in eight of their last nine Week 4 games.
Matchup/League Facts
The Jaguars ranked 1st in the AFC South for points scored per game last season (23.8)
The Jaguars ranked 1st in the AFC South for points allowed per game last season (20.6)
The Falcons ranked 1st in the NFL in average punt return (16.2 yards) last season
The Falcons ranked 1st in the NFC South for points scored per game last season (21.5)
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll lean toward the Jaguars I suppose, but I’m also not touching it. Jacksonville now has two consecutive weak performances on their card. The Kansas City game at least was excusable, as the Chiefs are a great team. The Jags should have beaten Houston, though. Jacksonville put up 404 yards (288 passing) and 22 first downs but went a weak 5-of-13 on third-down conversions and had two turnovers. It’s going to take a big bounce-back effort here, but I think Jacksonville can cover in front of the London audience.
As for Atlanta, their offense was wholly ineffective versus the Lions, producing 183 yards (44 rushing) and 16 first downs in the loss. You could probably make a case for either team in this one; the fact remains that both squads need some major improvements before taking the field at Wembley. Should be a good game if nothing else, however.
