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The Falcons will play the Jets in a half hour, and we may actually catch a glimpse of a few starters this time around.
Atlanta wisely sat most of its starters—certainly most of the key ones—against the Broncos and Dolphins. With three weeks left to tune up before the season, and the fourth game typically serving as a final, extended audition for roster hopefuls, they’ll get Matt Ryan and others some run tonight. If the Jets do the same, we might get something approximating real NFL action for a series or two, albeit with scheming that is hopefully far less creative and useful than we’ll see in the regular season.
Otherwise, look out for big nights from some of your favorites who are trying to cement roster spots, and even more run for guys like Sean Harlow, who the team seems determined to evaluate as thoroughly as possible.
Stay glued here for quarterly updates!
Fourth Quarter
The Jets got a touchdown to take a 16-10 lead. Gross.
The fourth quarter was so unmemorable (aside from a Matt Simms pick six, a Matt Simms fumble, and a couple of nice Qadree Ollison runs) that I’m just going to note that the Falcons lost and we’ll move on with our lives.
Third Quarter
The first drive was brutalized by penalties. Punt.
The Falcons missed a field goal attempt from 52 yards out, sparking familiar kicking-related panic.
Taylor Bertolet hit a 49 yarder, meanwhile, and the Jets were down 10-9.
Jaeden Graham had a nice play but the Falcons sputtered along otherwise. Punt, again.
The Jets sputtered out.
The Falcons, appropriately enough, picked up a first down on a Matt Simms scramble that ended a very dull quarter.
Second Quarter
While the Jets had to punt, the Falcons just got eaten alive on their next drive. Matt Ryan was sacked on second and third downs consecutively and looked legitimately pissed off about it.
The Jets actually made a little progress...but faltered again. The Falcons got the ball back and Ryan was still in the game. He did his level best to get the Falcons on the board, including a nice catch and run to Ito Smith who scampered for 28 yards, but gimme touchdown drops by Brian Hill and Justin Hardy doomed the drive. Tavecchio at least hit the field goal. 3-6
Desmond Trufant looked fast, aggressive, and capable out there all night. A pass interference call was the only major blemish on his evening, and he helped shut down this one. Jets punt.
Matt Schaub continued to make many of us eat crow by leading a great two minute drill that was capped off by an Ito Smith touchdown run. 10-6
The Jets kneeled it out.
First Quarter
The Jets made quick work of the Falcons’ defense, which featured some starters, and with Ty Montgomery picking up 14 yards on one carry with a missed tackle from Ricardo Allen. The Falcons settled down in the red zone, with good coverage from Keanu Neal and a timely third down tackle from Damontae Kazee ending the drive. He was hurt, but thankfully not significantly. The Jets ran it in from a yard out, even so. 0-6
The Falcons offense survived some putrid offensive lining to move the ball pretty effectively, but Giorgio Tavecchio missed a field goal and some of that familiar bile started to rise in the back of my throat, boy howdy.
The Falcons defense made short work of the Jets on the next drive, culminating in a speedy third down sack of Sam Darnold by Vic Beasley.
Unfortunately the offense struggled again, with Matt Ryan getting beat up behind an offensive line that frankly looked overmatched against a physical Jets front.
The Jets got the ball back and the quarter ended.
How to watch Falcons - Jets
What: Preseason Week 2
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
When: Thursday, August 15, 7:30 p.m. EST
TV Channel: CW69
Streaming: NFL Gamepass
Radio Channel: 92.9 The Game/Westwood One/SiriusXM
All-Time Records: The Falcons actually lead this series 7-5, having taken five of the last seven matchups.
Opponent Site: Gang Green Nation