Falcons show no mercy, pummel Jaguars 41-14 – NFL Week 15 Recap
Moustachioed Pakistani-American businessman and new Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan questioned his reasoning for paying $ 760 million to buy the franchise as he watched Falcons pummel the Jags 41-14 on Thursday.
The Atlanta Falcons decimated their opponents to secure a third straight playoff spot under Coach Mike Smith in one of their most complete performances of the 2011 National Football League season. With the Falcons 9-5 and securing
their wildcard spot Smith is looking forward to reaching greater heights with the franchise.
"Our expectations are much higher than winning seasons," Coach Mike Smith said. "I'm glad we've been able to accomplish that as an organization and a football team. But believe me, it's not one of those expectations we really want
to talk about. If we're where we think we are as an organization and a football team, that's expected each and every year."
In a sparsely populated Georgia Dome Stadium, Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and Wide Receiver Roddy White surgically cut apart the Jaguars. It seemed almost too easy for the Falcons with the game done and dusted by the end of the
first half.
The situation was completely different for the Jaguars just a week ago as they had their best game of the season beating Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the same score line of 41-14. The Jags have not had consecutive victories throughout
the season and coming up against a well drilled Falcons side they were brought back to earth.
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan continued his heroics from last week’s victory over Carolina Panthers scoring three touchdown passes covering 224-yards as he completed an impressive 19 out of 26 passes. Wide Receivers Roddy White
and rookie WR Julio Jones had a field day against the Jags scoring two and one receiving touchdowns respectively.
Jaguars rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert put in another shoddy performance that has been the theme of his first season in the NFL. The QB completed just 12 out 22 passes for a disappointing 141 yards, creating a single touchdown.
His teammates were much worse making unforgivable mistakes and failing to protect their quarterback who was repeatedly sacked by the Falcons defence.
"You've just got to keep fighting," Gabbert said. "Things didn't go our way early, but what can you do? It's football."
The Falcons had a no-nonsense attitude from the off. Rookie Julio Jones got the first touchdown ten minutes into the first quarter from Matt Ryan’s 29-yard pass and were up by 10-0 when kicker Matt Bryant scored a 33-yard field
goal three minutes from the end of the quarter.
The second quarter saw Falcons take a 27-0 lead. Michael Turner scored a 5-yard rushing TD and Ryan was again in on the action with a 6-yard pass to Roddy White that completed a 72-yard Falcons drive bringing the score up to 24-0.
Bryant sent a field goal from 31-yards right at the death as Gabbert fumbled and lost possession of the ball.
"I've just got to get rid of the ball," Gabbert said. "I can't take those sacks and those fumbles. That's completely on me."
The game was over anyway with Jaguars failing to build any kind of offensive momentum. Falcons were however, merciless. Corey Peters returned a fumble 13-yards to score a touchdown and Ryan made his final touchdown pass for 29-yards
to White to bring Falcons up 41-0.
The Jags finally got on the score line at the end of the third quarter as tight end Zach Potter returned a punt for 46-yards to score.
Gabbert finally connected with a Jaguars teammate at the end of the fourth quarter with a 16-yard pass to Chastin West to end the game 41-14.
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