Falcons 23, Jaguars 17: Atlanta snaps losing six-game losing streak with victory in Jacksonville

The Atlanta Falcons took their six-game losing streak down to Jacksonville to take on a Jaguars squad that scored 90 points over the past two games, and things turned out better than expected.

The Falcons moved to 7-7 with a 23-17 win, keeping their slim playoff hopes alive.

Let's see how it went down.

First Quarter

The Falcons received to start the game and promptly marched 80 yards down the field in eight plays. Devonta Freeman finished off the drive with a five-yard rushing touchdown — his 10th rushing of the season. Matt Ryan completed all six of his passes for 72 yards.

Jacksonville's hot offense went three and out on its first possession, and it looked like Atlanta would start rolling.

Instead, the Falcons went three and out as well. Trying to mix things up a bit, Atlanta attempted a fake punt, but it was called back for holding after Eric Weems successfully picked up the first down.

The Falcons took a 7-0 lead into the second, but the Jaguars were driving at the first quarter's end.

Second Quarter

Jacksonville's drive stalled at Atlanta's 24-yard line and Jason Myers nailed the 42-yard field goal to get the Jaguars on the board.

The two teams swapped possessions before the Falcons put together another scoring drive.

Atlanta started the drive with six straight runs — including a 21-yard run by Freeman — to get to the Jaguars' 36-yard line.

Julio Jones, who was quiet after catching three passes on the opening drive, found the end zone on an 11-yard pass from Ryan to give the Falcons a 14-3 lead. It was the first time Jones scored in five weeks.

After both offenses traded three and outs, the Jaguars started to move the ball with 1:41 left in the first half.

Blake Bortles drove the offense to Atlanta's one-yard line, but all the effort was erased when he was intercepted by Kemal Ishmael on a pass intended for Marcedes Lewis.

Ishmael, starting in place of the injured William Moore, returned the pick 84 yards before being tackled by Bortles with two seconds remaining. Shayne Graham tacked on three more points and the Falcons took a 17-3 lead into halftime.

Third Quarter

Bortles marched the Jaguars down the field for a touchdown to start the second half. The second-year quarterback scored himself on a one-yard run to finish off a nine-play, 80-yard drive.

Now it was time for some bad luck for the Falcons.

Three plays into Atlanta's drive, Ryan's pass was tipped at the line and intercepted by Paul Posluszny — who has a cast on his right hand.

Jacksonville cashed in with Allen Robinson catching a 10-yard touchdown pass over Desmond Trufant. And just like that the game was tied at 17.

Atlanta came back with a 13-play drive that ended with a punt.

Of note: Jones set a new franchise record with his 116th catch of the season, surpassing the 115 set by Roddy White in 2010.

Fourth Quarter

The Jaguars fumbled on back-to-back plays — first Denard Robinson, then Bortles on a Philip Wheeler sack — to start the final quarter, but managed to recover the ball both times.

After the three and out, Atlanta's offense made it to Jacksonville's 15-yard line before stalling out. Graham tacked on three more points to give the Falcons a 20-17 lead.

Robinson fumbled for the second time, but once again the Jaguars recovered. Still, Jacksonville went three and out once again.

Now it was time for a lengthy Falcons drive.

Thanks to three third down conversions — two for Justin Hardy, one for White — Atlanta put another field goal on the board after a 14-play, 41-yard drive that lasted 6:44.

With 1:46 left in the game, the Jaguars needed a touchdown down 23-17. Marqise Lee made a 30-yard circus catch on the second play of the drive and Julius Thomas followed up with a seven-yard catch.

But an Adrian Clayborn sack on the next play and two incompletions gave the Falcons their first win in a long, long time.

How does it feel?