I was happy for a Falcons’ win last week at the Lions that I came back to reality this week knowing it is still preseason. Falcons traveled to New Jersey to play the New York Jets in preseason game two. The game started well for the Falcons but the end resulted in a 16-24 loss.
The trip to New Jersey began last Thursday with a two-day practice scrimmage . Depending on whose side you were with was who won the scrimmages. But there were numerous fights throughout the scrimmages which leads me to know that the players are ready to hit someone wearing another uniform.
Game Notes
The offense looked in synch, especially during the first half where all the Falcon’s 16 points were scored. Starting quarterback Marcus Mariota connected on the first play for a 52-yard pass to TE Kyle Pitts. That’s all I need to see there, and apparently the Falcons as well. Pitts didn’t play much anymore. I would have liked to see a touchdown on that drive, but ended up with a field goal. Too many years in the past the Falcons’ moved the ball easily inside the 20 yard lines, but once the team got to the redzone, the drive would stall and the result would be three. That needs to be corrected if you want to win in this league. Mariota played the first quarter and went 6-10 for 132 yards on one touchdown. The touchdown came on the next offensive drive as Mariota connected with WR Olamide Zaccheaus on a 13-yard throw and catch. The remaining points scored for the Falcons all were field goals.
Quarterback Desmond Ridder played the second and third quarters and moved the ball well, but drives stalled because of penalties and the team had to settle for field goals. Offensive holding and false starts are fixable offenses, but maybe not when it seems to come from one player.
Ridder went 10-13 for 143 yards, but getting into the endzone when he was under center would have possibly won the game for the Falcons.
Defense did great in the first half, stopping many three and outs from the offense of the Jets. They ended giving up a late 2nd quarter field goal to end the half, Falcons lead at the half 16-3. That’s when things went down hill as reserve after reserve played and the Falcons lost the lead and ultimately the game. But during the preseason it’s the body of work for the player to see if they make the team, not the wins and losses in preseason, but W’s still are good in these practice games.
Diamond in the Ruff
Wide Receiver Jared Bernhardt wasn’t penciled in to make the team at the beginning of training camp. It’s time to take that question mark off his name. He caught the winning touchdown pass last week from Ridder to win at the Lions. This week versus the Jets he caught pass after pass to keep a lot of drives going on third down. Bernhardt ended the game with 67 receiving yards. He is a rookie free agent signing from Ferris State where he played lacrosse. Look for him to be the Wes Welker of the Falcons if he makes the squad.
Next Game
The Falcons play their only home game of the preseason versus the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday, August 27 at 3pm. The Jaguars overall number one draft selection from this past year’s draft from the University of Georgia, LB Travon Walker, returns to Mercedes Benz Stadium where he knows this stadium well from playing there in college. Check back here for my game notes on preseason game three.
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