The Falcons dropped another preseason game tonight, this time against the Jets at home, 22-10. That pushes their preseason losing streak to 11 games.
Losing these games does not matter. Learning from them does, though. In that spirit, here are seven takeaways from the latest exhibition loss.
1. Devonta Freeman, Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen return
First, the good news.
The Falcons finally got some key players back in action after a long layoff. Starting running back Devonta Freeman missed 14 games last season but tonight he was dressed and active. So were starting safeties Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen, who were both on the field for the first time in 11 months.
Neal and Allen combined for five tackles, while Freeman carried the ball just once for two yards, which is fine. They should keep him in bubble wrap until September.
2. Sam Darnold smoked the first-string defense
Now the bad news. The first drive of the game was a rough one for the Falcons defense. To be fair, Sam Darnold threw a few brilliant passes and the Jets mixed runs and passes well as they ran a sharp no huddle offense.
While it was an impressive drive by Darnold, it was also not a good look for Atlanta’s defense.
The unit bounced back though, thanks to some help from the front line. On the second drive, linebacker Vic Beasley got a sack on a third down that showed just how lethal Atlanta’s pass rush can be.
Defensive tackles Grady Jarrett and Tyeler Davison were also disruptive up front stopping the run and linebacker Jermaine Grace had another strong showing.
3. Pass protection was a problem
When Atlanta’s first-string offense took the field, Matt Ryan and the skill players were looking sharp, particularly on a 27-yard catch and run for wide receiver Calvin Ridley.
Unfortunately, Ryan’s offensive line didn’t do him any favors. On the first drive, he was under a lot of pressure and had to deliver several throws hurried and off balance.
Later, Ryan was sacked for an eight-yard loss and then Jake Matthews was called for a hold, which effectively killed the second drive. Ryan was sacked three times total and was visibly frustrated with his linemen.
The Jets always seem to have a nasty front seven, so we can’t judge the offensive line too harshly based on this one performance. That said, the Falcons front office sank a lot of resources into fixing that line and they need that investment to pay off when the real games begin.
4. Matt Ryan did not get enough help
In addition to getting pressured, hurried, sacked and beaten up by the Jets front line, Ryan didn’t get enough help from his receivers.
Despite a ton of pressure, Ryan engineered a great drive in the second quarter but his receivers let him down in the red zone. First, wide receiver Russell Gage dropped a long ball on a play he was injured on. Then, running back Brian Hill dropped a dime from Ryan that should have been a touchdown. Moments later, wide receiver Justin Hardy dropped another.
Ryan left the game in the second quarter 10/14 for 118 yards and a 96.7 passer rating, which is phenomenal given the circumstances. It must have been frustrating for Ryan, who doesn’t get nearly enough credit for consistently competing at the level he does.
5. Desmond Trufant was a beast in coverage
Early on, it was clear Adam Gase’s game plan was to target Atlanta’s top cornerback, Desmond Trufant. Not a good idea.
Trufant played extremely tight coverage against the Jets receivers and broke up a couple passes. When they were able to complete one, he tackled well and did not allow any yards after the catch. Trufant was flagged for a pass interference call, but it was about as weak as they come. He led the team in the first half with five tackles, including one for a loss.
This was a welcome development for Trufant, who had the worst season of his career in 2018. Trufant needs a bounce-back year as much as anyone.
6. Ito Smith makes his case
A different backup running back has stood out each preseason game so far. Against Denver, it was Brian Hill. Against Miami, it was Qadree Ollison. This was Ito Smith’s night to shine.
Smith showed some real ability as a receiver, especially on this 28-yard catch on a beautiful ball from Matt Ryan.
Smith finished the first half with 45 yards on three catches and scored a rushing touchdown to give Atlanta the lead going into halftime.
7. Injury bug bites again
And now we come to the ugly portion of the evening.
After landing awkwardly on a deep pass, wide receiver Russell Gage was carted off the field and eventually ruled out with a hip injury. It appeared to be serious, so it wouldn’t come as a shock if his season is over.
The Falcons also had their top two nickel cornerbacks go down. Kendall Sheffield hurt his hamstring on a punt return and Damontae Kazee injured his ribs early on. Neither one returned to the game. With the team’s top two options at the position out, Chris Cooper came in to play nickel corner and did very well for himself.
Losing Gage would hurt, but the Falcons have enough talent at wide receiver for it to not be a huge deal.
The defense definitely can’t afford to lose Kazee, though. Even with Neal and Allen healthy and Cooper balling out, Kazee is too versatile and valuable to miss any significant amount of time without the secondary dropping off.
Update:
Coach Dan Quinn told reporters after the game that Gage and Kazee don’t have broken bones at least.
So, that’s something.
