Atlanta Falcons vs Jacksonville Jaguars: All eyes on Calvin Ridley in London
NFL Week 4 will get off to an early start Sunday as the Atlanta Falcons (2-1) and Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2) square off at Wembley Stadium in London. This inter-conference battle features two teams with exciting offenses so there should be some offensive fireworks in this one, especially with Calvin Ridley going up against his former team.
Coming off a loss to the Houston Texans, the Jaguars focus is getting back in the win column, but this one would be extra sweet for Ridley who was drafted by the Falcons in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Selected with the No. 26 selection in that draft, Ridley teams up with Julio Jones to give the Falcons one of the most feared wide receiver duos. Eventually Ridley claimed that No. 1 role, but a battle with mental issues and a league suspension halted Ridley’s rise which led to a trade to the Jaguars. After almost two seasons away from the game, Ridley has shown flashes of the receiver he was with the Falcons.
Jaguars take: Calvin Ridley need to rediscover his dominate ways
After an explosive debut with the Jaguars, Ridley has been relatively quiet over the last couple of weeks. But, in what he describes as “just another game,” facing the Falcons should be extra special not because he has revenge on his mind, but because seeing that uniform will be a reminder of the player he wants to be. The importance of winning this game would be more about what he can give his current team.
"“It’s very important,” Ridley said, via the team’s official site. “Me personally coming here, I wanted to be someone that helped this offense. I want us to get on tract and look elite and explosive. I’m getting myself back to square one, pushing forward and trying to work hard as I can.”"
The big question in this matchup is will Ridley, Trevor Lawrence and the offense get it rolling against an Atlanta Falcons team that has surprised so far this season. With two big wins to start the season, Ridley’s team is looking to increase their record to 3-1 with a victory in London.
Falcons take: Bijan Robinson an offensive X-factor vs Jaguars
Like the Jaguars, the Falcons are also looking to get back on track offensively after a 20-6 loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 3.
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The Falcons still won’t have Cordarrelle Patterson who is healing from a thigh injury, but they do have enough weapons to be better than they were in Week 3. Look for a heavy dose of rookie running back Bijan Robinson in this one.
The exciting rookie running back was quiet in the Week 3 loss to the Lions, but so far in his debut season, he has rushed the ball for 213 yards. He also has 14 catches for 102 yards. Showing off his dynamic ability and versatility, Robinson will be a focus in the offense and if the Jaguars’ defense doesn’t come to play it could be a very big day for the Falcons running back.
Atlanta will also need to get something offensively from tight end Kyle Pitts and wide receiver Drake London.
On the defensive side of the ball, cornerback A.J. Terrell and safety Jessie Bates III will need to play big in limiting Calvin Ridley and Jacksonville’s aerial attack.
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Prediction: The Jaguars will be the hungrier team in this one. Trevor Lawrence will throw over 300 yards and Calvin Ridley will get back on track as Jacksonville evens their record at 2-2 with a 37-24 victory over the Falcons at Wembley Stadium.