NFL preseason 2015: Falcons clip Titans, 31-24
On Friday night at the Georgia Dome, the Atlanta Falcons started off fast and then held off the Tennessee Titans and rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota, winning 31-24. Atlanta moved to 1-0 in the young NFL preseason, with Tennessee falling to 0-1.
Next: Ranking The 32 NFL Defenses For 2015
Forget the score, because the main storylines came in the first quarter. The Falcons only left their starters on the field for one series, and it turned into a 91-yard touchdown march. Julio Jones was the driving force, accounting for 61 of the yards. On the other side, Mariota started brutally before bouncing back. Mariota threw an interception before fumbling on a play that resulted in a Paul Worrilow touchdown. However, Mariota would finish 7-of-8 for 94 yards.
Three Stars
1. Marcus Mariota
Some might ask how could Mariota be the top player after turning the ball over twice, leading directly to 10 points. The Heisman Trophy winner gets the nod because he kept his poise and made some really nice throws throughout the rest of his tenure. Mariota looked like a calm veteran after making those errors, proving he is not easily rattled.
2. Matt Ryan
Ryan was perfect on Friday night, going 6-for-6 on his one drive for 86 yards and a touchdown. If Atlanta is going to have any success this season, it is going to be because Ryan has a major year. The running game is not up to standard and the defense is a work in progress at best. Ryan getting off to a hot start is a huge plus.
3. Julio Jones
As mentioned, Jones was the main target on the opening touchdown drive. Jones caught a touchdown pass as part of his four-catch, 61-yard night. Jones is coming off a massive campaign and is only entering his prime, giving many defensive coordinators something terrifying to think about.
Injuries
There were no major injuries to report in this game.
Odds
Atlanta was favored by two points, so it was able to cover the spread.
Next Week
The Falcons travel to MetLife Stadium to play the New York Jets on Friday night while the Titans take on the St. Louis Rams and former head coach Jeff Fisher on Sunday.