NFL in London highlights: How Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars topped Falcons in Week 4 victory
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Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Ridley in the first quarter and defensive back Darius Williams scored a 61-yard pick-six touchdown to lead Jacksonville to a 23-7 win over the Atlanta Falcons in London Sunday.
Brandon McManus kicked three field goals in the victory for the Jaguars, who will stay in London, and await the Buffalo Bills next week at Tottenham Stadium next Sunday.
“We’re going to have a day or so to explore this week. It’ll be fun to get out in the city, and get prepared for Buffalo,” Lawrence said postgame after the Jaguars improved to 2-2.
Falcons rookie running back Bijan Robinson led all players with 137 total yards, but the Jaguars intercepted Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder twice on back-to-back plays in the second quarter, and gave the first-year starter fits during the game. The Falcons (2-2) host the Houston Texans next Sunday.
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Falcons vs. Jaguars highlights
Trevor Lawrence stats
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence was 23-of-30 passing for 207 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions and a passer rating of 105.8.
Calvin Ridley stats
Jaguars receiver Calvin Ridley had two catches on two targets for 38 yards against the Falcons on Sunday.
Travis Etienne stats
Jaguars running back Travis Etienne had 20 carries for 55 yards and three catches for 17 yards in the win over the Falcons.
Here's how the rest of the game unfolded:
Big play, but bad result for Falcons: Jaguars 20, Falcons 7
The Falcons were at their 6-yard line, hoping to make a play to get them back into this game late in the fourth quarter.
Instead, Falcons receiver Drake London was pushed out of the end zone on fourth-and-3, preventing his second touchdown of the game.
The Falcons turned the ball over to the Jaguars with six minutes remaining. — Safid Deen
Viral clip: Falcons receiver Mack Hollins looks upset at QB Desmond Ridder
The Falcons are going viral for this sideline interaction during the game.
Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder tried to greet receiver Mack Hollins on the bench, shortly after missing him for a deep pass.
And Hollins did not appear too happy to see Ridder at the moment. — Safid Deen
Drake London touchdown: Jaguars 17, Falcons 7
How cool is that? Drake London has scored in London.
London, the Falcons receiver, scored on a 15-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Desmond Ridder early in the third quarter to help Atlanta get back into this game.
It was a nice response from the Falcons, who were down 17-0 at halftime.
Falcons rookie Bijan Robinson got the drive going with a 38-yard run on the second play of scrimmage to start the second half. Robinson is up to 86 total yards. — Safid Deen
Halftime: Jaguars 17, Falcons 0
Trevor Lawrence threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Ridley in the first quarter, and defensive back Darius Williams scored a 61-yard pick-six touchdown to give the Jaguars a 17-0 lead on the Falcons at halftime.
Lawrence is 13 of 28 for 128 yards, and his leading receiver is Christian Kirk, who has six catches for 71 yards.
Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder, on the other hand, is struggling. He threw his two interceptions on consecutive plays. Luckily, the Falcons defense sacked Lawrence to end two drives before halftime that could’ve increased Jacksonville’s lead.
Falcons’ rookie running back Bijan Robinson leads Atlanta with four catches for 26 yards, and seven carries on 18 yards.
Also, the Toy Story broadcast is really good. Check it out. — Safid Deen
Darius Williams pick-six touchdown: Jaguars 17, Falcons 0
Jaguars defensive back Darius Williams jumped the route in front of Falcons receiver Drake London to intercept quarterback Desmond Ridder, and return it 61 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter.
One play later, Ridder was intercepted again by Jaguars safety Andre Cisco, but the Jaguars couldn't cash in after being stuffed on fourth down.
The Falcons’ struggles on offense continue in this London game. They have just 53 yards, compared to the Jaguars’ 155 already in this game. — Safid Deen
Slinky dog becomes the star of 'Toy Story Funday Football'
Chaos has erupted inside Andy’s room for ESPN’s alternate broadcast of the London game, but an MVP of the game has already emerged.
All the characters of the hit animated "Toy Story" movie series are making appearances for the game, but Slinky Dog has become the workhorse of the broadcast because the pup is serving as the chain gang. When either team gets a first down, Slinky Dog can be seen with the back of its body serving as the line of scrimmage, and its head serving as the first down marker.
People couldn’t help but give Slinky Dog props for becoming the early highlight of the wild broadcast.
"Slinky Dog as the chains goes insanely hard," one social media user said. "Slinky dog performing an absolute masterclass as the chains today. Lights are bright and he’s DIALED," another said. — Jordan Mendoza
Jaguars' Josh Allen with two first-half sacks
Jaguars linebacker Josh Allen has already notched two sacks against the Falcons, and it's not even halftime. Allen and the Jacksonville defense has only permitted one first down and 11 total yards as the Jaguars now lead 10-0 after a 56-yard field goal by Brandon McManus. — Casey Moore
Calvin Ridley touchdown: Jaguars 7, Falcons 0
Calvin Ridley saw the Falcons secondary break down. He raised his hand, calling for the ball. And Trevor Lawrence delivered.
Lawrence’s 30-yard touchdown pass to Ridley gave Jacksonville a 7-0 lead with 5:44 left in the first quarter. How did it look on the "Toy Story Funday Football" broadcast?
It was Ridley’s first catch of the day against his former team, which traded him to the Jaguars while he was suspended for gambling last year. — Safid Deen
Jaguars, Falcons exchange punts in London
The first of five games in the NFL's International Series has started out rather slowly.
The Jaguars picked up one first down before being forced to punt during their first possession. The Falcons, meanwhile, went three-and-out.
Jacksonville is on the move during its second possession, however. Trevor Lawrence's 22-yard scramble on a second-and-7 has the Jaguars in Falcons territory. — Casey Moore
NFL picks Week 4
The NFL is back, its 104th season set to kick off, and USA TODAY Sports’ panel of resident NFL experts have made their Week 4 picks. Check them out here.
NFL Week 4 odds
The top NFL betting apps list the Miami Dolphins as one of the best bets for NFL Week 4 after scoring 70 points in a Week 3 blowout. The Dolphins are 2.5-point road underdogs against the Buffalo Bills, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2023.
There is also significant interest surrounding the game between the Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots. Cowboys quarterback Dark Prescott has some of the best NFL MVP betting odds (+2500) in 2023. The Cowboys also boast some of the best early Super Bowl betting odds (+1000).
Not interested in these games? Our guide to the NFL betting odds, picks and spreads has you covered with Thursday Night Football odds, Sunday Night Football odds and/or Monday Night Football odds.
If you’re new to sports betting, don’t worry. We have tips for beginners on how to place bet online. And USA TODAY readers can claim exclusive promos and bonus codes with the online sportsbooks and sports betting sites. — Richard Morin
All odds provided by BetMGM
Week 4 fantasy football rankings
This week's marquee matchup comes when the Miami Dolphins – fresh off a 70-point explosion vs. Denver – travel to face the Buffalo Bills, who nearly pitched a shutout last Sunday and have yielded just 35 points in three games.
What will happen in the NFL's version of the irresistible force meets the immovable object?
Fantasy football rankings for Week 4 are based on the point-per-reception (PPR) scoring used in most seasonal and daily fantasy football formats. One point is awarded for every 10 rushing and receiving yards and one point for every 20 passing yards. Six points are awarded for touchdowns scored, four points for passing TDs and one point for receptions.
Rankings are compiled by Daniel Dobish,TheHuddle.com. — Steve Gardner
Falcons vs. Jaguars in London: Predictions, picks and odds
The Jaguars are favorites to defeat the Falcons, according to BetMGM NFL odds.
- Spread: Jaguars (-3)
- Moneyline: Jaguars (-160); Falcons (+135)
- Over/under: 43.5
USA TODAY Sports’ staff picks for this game:
- Lorenzo Reyes: Jaguars 25, Falcons 13
- Tyler Dragon: Jaguars 27, Falcons 17
- Victoria Hernandez: Jaguars 17, Falcons 10
- Jordan Mendoza: Jaguars 25, Falcons 22
How to watch London game between Jaguars and Falcons
There are two broadcasts -- traditional and completely experimental.
ESPN+ is airing the game as we've come to know it. ESPN+ subscriptions are priced at $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year.
A bundle between ESPN+, Disney+ (with ads) and Hulu (with ads) is $12.99 per month, but that price increases starting Oct. 12.
Disney+ is airing what's being called a "Toy Story Funday Football" broadcast. The first-of-its-kind NFL broadcast will show a real-time animated version of the action on the field with appearances from "Toy Story" characters throughout the game. — Gabe Hauari
NFL rules changes for 2023: What they are and what they mean
The NFL, through its competition committee, assesses the league's playing rules each offseason and collects feedback from players, coaches and executives for possible changes.
The league classifies adjustments in two ways: actual changes to the rulebook and points of clarification, which essentially highlight emphases the NFL wants its officials to prioritize during games. Players and coaches, therefore, must tweak the way they play and coach in order to comply with the adjustments. For football fans, there's an adjustment, too, in understanding the strategy behind certain decisions.
Read Lorenzo Reyes’ breakdown of the league’s adopted changes here.
Who is the highest-paid NFL player?
The NFL's top 15 players in average annual salary are all quarterbacks, according to OverTheCap.com. As Joe Burrow proved in his new deal with the Cincinnati Bengals, teams place a huge priority on having a top-flight QB under center. Burrow's five-year, $275 million contract extension made him the league's highest paid player at a staggering average annual value of $55 million. San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa is the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league after signing a five-year, $170 million extension.
Here’s the complete list of the league’s highest-paid players.
Who are the highest paid NFL players at each position?
We have a complete list at every position:
- Quarterbacks
- Running back
- Receivers
- Tight ends
- Offensive tackles
- Offensive guards
- Centers
- Edge rushers
- Interior defensive linemen
- Linebackers
- Cornerbacks
- Safeties
- Kickers
- Punters
How much does the average NFL ticket cost?
The average price of a 2023 NFL ticket is $377, according to TicketSmarter data. It’s a major jump from last season, when the average price was $235. Leading the NFL in ticket costs is the Las Vegas Raiders, which has an average cost of $582 per ticket. Behind the Raiders are the Super Bowl 57 contestants: the Kansas City Chiefs at $578 and Philadelphia Eagles at $559. Here are the five highest ticket averages:
- Las Vegas Raiders: $582
- Kansas City Chiefs: $578
- Philadelphia Eagles: $559
- Dallas Cowboys: $545
- New England Patriots: $534
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Atlanta Falcons have the cheapest average price at $225. They are followed by the Houston Texans ($236) and Arizona Cardinals ($250). Here are the lowest five ticket averages:
- Atlanta Falcons: $225
- Houston Texans: $236
- Arizona Cardinals: $250
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $263
- Tennessee Titans: $265
— Jordan Mendoza
