Aug 17, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) rolls opt to pass during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
- The Atlanta Falcons conclude their preseason against the Jacksonville Jaguars Friday night at 7 p.m. ET on NFL Network.
- Jacksonville is a perfect 2-0 on the preseason thus far while Atlanta is still looking for its first win.
- Keep scrolling for a further look at the latest odds, best picks and a prediction for Friday’s preseason tilt.
The Jacksonville Jaguars (2-0) travel to Atlanta to face off against the Falcons (0-2) for the final week of NFL preseason. The game is slated for kickoff at 7 p.m. on NFL Network.
Jacksonville is expected to play starters extended minutes on Friday, so expect to see Trevor Lawrence and Co. well into the 2nd quarter. Lawrence got some run in Week 1 of the preseason against Kansas City.
The Falcons, on the other hand, will not be playing starters on Friday. They’ll instead hand the ball to Taylor Heinicke. Michael Penix, the Falcons’ No. 2 QB and a top-10 pick in this offseason’s NFL Draft, will not suit up Friday either.
Keep scrolling for a prediction for Jaguars v. Falcons.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Atlanta Falcons Prediction
- Jaguars -7.5 (+100)
This one isn’t too hard to understand – I’m taking the Jaguars to win because they’re playing starters, and even if they weren’t playing starters they have been the better team so far this preseason.
Mac Jones, who backs up Lawrence, has had a great preseason in Jacksonville. He threw for 210 yards and a pair of touchdowns in last week’s win over the Buccaneers.
Atlanta has been fine on the defensive end, but they’ve really struggled to score points this preseason with Penix and Heinicke at the helm of the offense. The Falcons have scored just 2 touchdowns across 8 quarters of play.
I’d be surprised if this one is close considering the Jaguars should play starters deep into the 2nd quarter.
Jaguars 24, Falcons 7
Jaguars vs. Falcons Odds (Fanatics)
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville Jaguars | -7.5 (+100) | -350 | O 35.5 (-110) |
| Atlanta Falcons | +7.5 (-120) | +260 | U 35.5 (-110) |
Odds above via Fanatics Sportsbook. Check out our Fanatics Sportsbook promo code for a look at one of the best welcome offers in the business.
Fanatics likes the Jaguars for Friday night, listing Jacksonville as -7.5 favorites (+100). The Falcons are -120 to win or keep the game within 7 points.
The moneyline is where you can see how favored the Jaguars really are. Jacksonville is -350 compared to +260 for Atlanta to win outright.
The Over/Under for this matchup has been set at 35.5, which is about average for the Week 3 Preseason slate.
Jaguars vs. Falcons Names to Watch
- Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars QB
- Taylor Heinicke, Falcons QB
- Chris Blair, Falcons WR
Lawrence saw one drive in the Jaguars’ preseason debut, completing 3 of his 4 passes for 42 yards and a touchdown. He’ll see more time this time around and given he’ll be playing the Falcons’ 2nd team, it may be a bit of a massacre. For what it’s worth, Mac Jones has had a strong preseason behind him so the Jaguars should be set at QB on Friday.
Heinicke is the Falcons’ No. 3 QB and is battling Michael Penix for the No. 2 spot, though it’s definitely an uphill battle. Let’s see if he can lead the Falcons on a few touchdown drives.
Blair will be a top target on Friday, as he’s been their best skill player so far this preseason. Blair, who played at Alcorn State, has hauled in 6 receptions for 136 yards so far, and he’s led the Falcons in receptions both times. He could very well play his way into a roster spot on Friday.
Ethan Stone was an editor for his student newspaper at the University of Tennessee and is now a News Manager for Saturday Down South and contributor with SBD!
The Jacksonville Jaguars are set to face off against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 3 of the NFL preseason on August 23rd. Both teams are looking to fine-tune their rosters and strategies before the start of the regular season, making this matchup an important one for both squads.
The Jaguars are coming off a disappointing 2020 season where they finished with a 1-15 record. However, they have made some key changes in the offseason, including hiring Urban Meyer as their new head coach and drafting quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Lawrence has shown promise in the preseason so far, and fans are eager to see how he performs against the Falcons.
On the other side, the Falcons are looking to bounce back from a 4-12 season in 2020. They have a new head coach in Arthur Smith, who was previously the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans. The Falcons also have a new starting running back in Mike Davis, who was signed in free agency to replace the departed Todd Gurley. Fans will be watching to see how these changes impact the team’s performance against the Jaguars.
As for the odds, the Jaguars are currently listed as 3-point favorites over the Falcons. This means that oddsmakers believe Jacksonville has a slight advantage heading into the game. However, preseason games can be unpredictable, so anything can happen once the teams take the field.
In terms of predictions, it’s tough to say which team will come out on top. Both squads are still working out kinks and evaluating their players, so it could go either way. However, with Lawrence looking sharp and the Jaguars having home-field advantage, they may have a slight edge in this matchup.
As for picks, if you’re looking to place a bet on this game, it might be wise to take the Jaguars to cover the spread. With Lawrence leading the offense and a revamped defense under Meyer’s guidance, Jacksonville could come out on top in this preseason showdown.
Overall, this Week 3 matchup between the Jaguars and Falcons is shaping up to be an exciting one. Both teams have made significant changes in the offseason and are looking to make a statement before the regular season kicks off. Fans will be watching closely to see how it all unfolds on August 23rd.