The Atlanta Falcons had little difficulty dispatching the woeful Jacksonville Jaguars 41-14 at the Georgia Dome on Thursday to keep their pursuit of a playoff place on track.
The Falcons improved to 9-5 and moved ahead of the Detroit Lions in the hunt for an NFC postseason spot, while the Jaguars fell to 4-10.
Jacksonville’s rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert had a miserable game and gave up two fumbles which Atlanta converted into 10 points, including a 13-yard return for a touchdown by Corey Peters early in the third that stretched the Falcons lead to 34-0.
Julio Jones scored on a 29-yard reception on the Falcons opening drive and after a Matt Bryant field goal, Michael Turner extended Atlanta’s lead to 17-0 on a five-yard run early in the second quarter.
Falcons receiver Roddy White caught 10 passes for 135 yards and two touchdowns.
Zach Potter returned a blocked punt 46 yards to score Jacksonville’s first touchdown late in the third quarter and Chastin West added another in the final minute of the game.