T.J. Yeldon

Six Points: Falcons vs. Jaguars

Published Dec. 18, 2015 8:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Atlanta Falcons look to snap a six-game losing streak when they travel to Jacksonville to take on the Jaguars on Sunday.

The Falcons (6-7) started out the season 5-0, but have lost six straight and seven of their last eight. Atlanta enters coming off a 38-0 drubbing at the hands of the Carolina Panthers, a loss Falcons head coach Dan Quinn termed "unacceptable."

While Atlanta is struggling, the Jaguars (5-8) are coming off their best win of the season, a 51-16 rout of the Indianapolis Colts. Jacksonville scored in all three phases of the game, riding a 48-3 scoring run to the blowout victory.

Here are three keys to the game for both the Falcons and the Jaguars.

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1. If Matt Ryan is going to get his confidence back, this is the game

The Jaguars have allowed 3,621 yards and 24 touchdowns, while only intercepting seven passes. Ryan is obviously struggling right now with confidence, but this matchup could be a great opportunity for him to turn things around. While it may be too little, too late for 2015, he needs to get back to playing at a high level regardless, and it needs to start in Week 15.

2. Utilize Devonta Freeman in the passing game

While the Jaguars aren't bad against the run this season, they've given up quite a few receptions to opposing running backs. In total this season, Jacksonville has allowed 82 receptions for 642 yards and three scores to the position. Can Freeman take advantage? If so, it may be the perfect way to also help Ryan get a bit of that confidence back in the home stretch of the season.

3. Send pressure at Bortles

The Falcons are the worst team in the NFL at tallying sacks. They've totaled just 15 this entire season, but if there was ever a prime opportunity to be able to rack up a few, it's against Bortles and the Jaguars. To this point in the season, Bortles has been the second-most sacked quarterback in the NFL, being brought down 39 times, just one behind Alex Smith for the top spot. Vic Beasley seems to have improved, so finding ways to allow him to get pressure could be the key.

1. Don't leave Julio Jones in single coverage

The Falcons offense has struggled of late, averaging 9.7 points per game over the three games and Jones hasn't scored a touchdown since Nov. 1. Still, he leads the NFL in catches and receiving yards and his playmaking skills need to be respected. The Jaguars should be prepared to offer safety help on Jones in order to limit his potential for explosive plays. Jones, who has 109 receptions on the season, will likely have his catches, but if the Jaguars can extend his scoreless drought another week, they should be in good shape.

2. Force Ryan into making mistakes

The Jaguars experienced rare success putting pressure on the quarterback last week, with defensive ends Andre Branch and Chris Clemons combining for three sacks, including Branch's strip-sack that he returned 49 yards for a touchdown. If Jacksonville can again generate a pass rush, it's liable to yield positive results once more. Ryan has thrown 14 interceptions this season, second most in the league. The Jaguars need to capitalize on his struggles.

3. Don't forget to run

Even with an impressive passing attack led by Bortles and second year wide receivers Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns, this is a game the Jaguars should mix in a heavy dose of the running game. The Falcons have proven themselves vulnerable against the run in recent weeks, including last week, when they gave up 142 yards on the ground to the Panthers. The Jaguars ran for 154 yards in the win over the Colts, but figure to be without starter T.J. Yeldon, who is dealing with a knee injury. Jacksonville should be fine though, as backup Denard Robinson ran for a game-high 75 yards last week and is fully capable of helping to bring balance to the offense.