ATLANTA (SportsTicker) - The Jaguars lost to the Falcons 28-12 Saturday at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta ending their preseason 0-4.
Photo by Kyle Hess/Atlanta Falcons
Quarterback EJ Perry played the entire game for the Jaguars. He completed 19 of 27 for 201 yards passing, with a pair of interceptions. Wide receiver Tim Jones caught three passes for 103 yards.
“I think he did some good things. I did feel like maybe there were some things he tried to press a little bit. Tried to make something happen, which sometimes young players can do that especially a quarterback," said Jacksonville head coach Doug Pederson of Perry's day. "Overall, he made some really good decisions, good throws, played tough, played physical, took some shots during the second half.”
Perry is projected to play behind starter Trevor Lawrence and veteran backup CJ Beathard.
Perry's only TD pass was to Laquon Treadwell for seven yards with 12 seconds left in the first half to cut the Falcon's lead to 14-12. Atlanta then stopped a two-point converion try.
The Jaguars took an ealry 3-0 lead.
On the very first play from scrimage, Atanta QB Desmond Ridder was picked off by Daniel Thomas. The safety returned it 10 yards to the Atlanta 35, setting up James McCourt’s 54-yard field goal.
Ridder finished 14-of-21 for 185 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
McCourt also connected from 38 yards, Jake Verity was wide left on a 46-yard try. The Jaguars are looking to find a kicker.
“Well, I think it’s enough to get on tape, but I don’t think we can necessarily decide. I think we have to figure that out this week in practice and try to go from there and make that decision," said Pederson on the kicking situation.
The club will cut the team from 80 to 53 players by Tuesday at 4 p.m., so today was an important milestone for players looking to make the roster.
“It’s a chance to evaluate the whole thing. We've got a couple days here to do that. We’ll get in tomorrow and watch the tape with the players and make the corrections and all that. The players will be off on Monday, Pederon said. "It’s always tough this time of year. I told the guys it’s a tough part of our business and a lot of guys today made a statement for a possible roster spot or practice squad spot and those are all things that we have time to evaluate here in the next couple of days."
Jacksonville opens the NFL regular season Sept. 11 on the road at Washington.
“I think we're in a pretty good spot. We got a couple guys bouncing back fully and we're trying to get them back healthy and back out there but other than that I feel like we're really good coming out of camp and heading into the regular season," added Pederson.
---Mike Bonts