ATLANTA — Trevor Lawrence tuned up for the regular season by guiding two long touchdown drives against a bunch of Atlanta players fighting for jobs as the Jaguars blew away the Falcons 31-0 in their preseason finale Friday night.
Lawrence completed 8 of 10 passes for 91 yards, including scoring passes of 6 and 5 yards to tight end Evan Engram, before calling it a night.
“It was a good night, very clean,” Lawrence said. “As far as just our team, our offense, where we’re at, I think we’re in a great spot.”
The Jaguars made it look easy, which wasn’t at all surprising because the Falcons didn’t play any of their starters.
Many of their top backups also watched from the sideline — most notably rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr., the No. 8 pick in the draft.
Even though Kirk Cousins is set to start for the Falcons, new coach Raheem Morris decided to play Penix in just a single preseason game. The decision raised plenty of eyebrows, but Morris said he got a good look at his prized rookie in practice and didn’t want to risk an injury.
The Jaguars (3-0) dominated the outmanned Falcons (0-3), who started third-string quarterback Taylor Heinicke. Jacksonville outgained the Falcons 412-157 in total yards, while recording 30 first downs to just eight for Atlanta.
After an unnecessary-roughness penalty on a punt return backed up the Jaguars to their own 8, Lawrence directed a nine-play, 92-yard drive for the first TD.
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