The Falcons are in the Motor City taking on the Lions in their preseason opener. Ten minutes into the second quarter, Atlanta holds a 14-10 lead over Detroit.
We’ve already seen some nice plays from Marcus Mariota, Qadree Ollison and rookie Desmond Ridder. Check out the best highlights from Friday’s preseason matchup below. We’ll update throughout the game.
Ridder throws game-winning touchdown pass
Ridder 🤝 Bernhardt
Stealing our hearts📺: @nflnetwork | @FOX5Atlanta
📲: Falcons App pic.twitter.com/pHriME3qKK— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) August 13, 2022
It may just be preseason, but the Falcons are giving fans a lot to look forward to this upcoming season. After taking advantage of a fumble by the Lions, the Falcons got the ball back with a chance to steal the game. Ridder was flushed out of the pocket on fourth down but found space to deliver a strike, which was somehow caught by former lacrosse player Jared Bernhardt for the go-ahead score.
Qadree Ollison runs for a big gain
Qadree Ollison keep being you 💨
📺: @nflnetwork | @FOX5Atlanta
📲: Falcons App pic.twitter.com/muw7foQdzl— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) August 12, 2022
After a slow start to the opening drive, running back Qadree Ollison took over and kept the Falcons drive alive with the above run. Ollison is fighting for a roster spot, so every play he makes is huge.
Mariota scrambles for touchdown
Can't stop Mariota 😉
📺: @nflnetwork | @FOX5Atlanta
📲: Falcons App pic.twitter.com/70kDD7J9Bx— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) August 12, 2022
Get used to seeing much more of this, Falcons fans. After a very long opening drive, Marcus Mariota uses his legs and runs into the endzone to level the scoring up at seven.
Desmond Ridder finds Parker Hesse for TD
Just how we wrote it up ✏️ Ridder -> Hesse
📺: @nflnetwork | @FOX5Atlanta
📲: Falcons App pic.twitter.com/aTcTHtqVN7— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) August 12, 2022
Ridder found tight end Parker Hesse for a this short touchdown pass. While the drive started slow for the rookie QB, he rebounded nicely getting the team into the end zone.
Ridder on the run
Desmond Ridder said VROOOOM 💨
📺: @nflnetwork | @FOX5Atlanta
📲: Falcons App pic.twitter.com/JLMOcTxRWf— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) August 12, 2022
Mariota isn’t the only QB with speed. Ridder led a nice drive as the first half expired, using both his arms and legs. The Falcons scored a field goal to tie the game at 17 going into halftime.
Dee Alford with INT
"I'll take that." – Dee Alford
📺: @nflnetwork | @FOX5Atlanta
📲: Falcons App pic.twitter.com/O0UueParHW— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) August 12, 2022
Falcons cornerback Dee Alford came away with the game’s first turnover in the third quarter, making an athletic interception on a throw from Lions QB Tim Boyle. Alford definitely helped his case to make the 53-man roster. The offense would eventually settle for a field goal to pull ahead by three.
