Atlanta Falcons 24 vs 16 New York Jets summary: stats and highlights | NFL Preseason

The New York Jets used a big second half to defeat the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night football from the Meadowlands. Chris Streveler came in at the start of the second half and changed the game for the Jets, going 8/11 for 119 yards and a touchdown.

Mariota and Ridder lead scoring drives in first half

While not much is expected from either of these teams, the Falcons and the Jets did win their opening preseason games last week. New York followed up their win over Philadelphia with a monster second half comeback to remain undefeated in going into the final week of the preseason.

It was Atlanta who got off on the right foot out of the gate as Marcus Mariota led the Falcons on two scoring drives in the first two possessions of the game. A big hitter to Kyle Pitts for 52 yards set up the opening score of the game when the Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo kicked a 23 yard field to cap off the first possession of the night.

Mariota and the Falcons were able to punch it into the end zone on their second drive when the Atlanta signal caller hit Olamide Zaccheaus for a 13 yard touchdown reception and the Falcons were rolling through the first quarter.

All Falcons in first half

Desmond Ridder took over once the second quarter started, and the Falcons offense didn’t skip a beat. The rookie led two drives in which the Falcons were knocking on the door, but failed to get in the end zone on both trips into Jets territory, having to settle for field goals in both.

Mariota went 6/10 for 132 yards and a touchdown, while Ridder was 10/13 for 143 yards as the Falcons jumped out to a 16 point first half lead.

The Jets were without second year QB Zach Wilson who went down in the first quarter of the opening preseason game with a knee injury. His return date is still up in the air, but Joe Flacco will be the starter in New York for the short term future.

Streveler steals the show

Flacco didn’t play on Monday night, as coach Robert Saleh looked to keep his back up QB, and many of his other starters fresh through the preseason. Mike White started under center for the Jets, and while he didn’t put up terrible numbers, didn’t move the Jets offense at all in the first couple quarters. He went 12/17 for 90 yards in a little more than a half of play.

The Jets did finally get a field goal in the last seconds of the first half, but it wasn’t until Chris Streveler’s entrance to the game that the New York offense came to life. Streveler led an 8 play, 74 yard touchdown drive on his opening possession of the game. It was capped off by a Lawrence Cager 34 yard touchdown on a crossing pattern over the middle.

The defense held firm for the Jets, and gave Streveler and the offense a chance to take the lead which they did on the next possession. Lamical Perine polished off an eight play 74 yard drive to give the home side their first lead of the night.

Defense seals the deal in second half

New York would put the finishing touch on their comeback bid when Bradlee Anae tripped Felipe Fields up in the back field, forcing a fumble which he then picked up and took 30 yards to the house to stretch the lead to 24-16.

The defense sealed the victory in the final 10 minutes of the game, as Streveler went 8/11 for 119 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Streveler and White will be locked in a battle for the third place spot, and Steveler has done nothing but impress over the first two games of preseason.

The Jets and Falcons will now prepare for their third and final tune up of the preseason, but before they will have to make cuts tomorrow as all 32 teams have to have a roster of 85 by the end of the day.

Defense won it for the Jets, especially in the second half. Bradlee Anae came up with this brilliant forced fumble and touchdown to give the Jets an 8 points lead.

Peiner bounced the run to the outside for the 7 yard TD to give the Jets their first lead of the night.

Streveler came on in the second half and made an immediate impact for the Jets offense. He hit Cager for this 34 yard TD.

The Falcons could do no wrong in the first half. Mariota looked good early on and hit Zaccheaus for the only TD of the first half.

Streveler rolls out and makes a nice move to pick up the first down. That should do it for the Jets.

Streveler sliding down off the scramble picks up 9 yards and that will bring us to the Two Minute Warning.

3rd and 3 coming up after the break.

There are under 3 minutes to play from New York.

Streveler on the roll out and hits Yeboah on the 11 yard pitch and catch.

Franks overthrows his receiver, and you can see why Franks may not be in the Falcons' quarterback plans.

Turnover on downs and the Jets will take over from their own 5 yard line.

Franks throws it three straight times, but can't complete a single one. 4th and Goal coming up from the 5 yard line.

Franks continues to dish out punishment on a scramble. He lowers the shoulder while moving the chains on 3rd and 6.

1st and Goal from the NYJ 4.

Huntley up the middle, picks up 8 yards and moves the chains. 1st and 10 from the NYJ 20.

INTERCEPTION FALCONS!!!

Streveler gong deep down the field looking for Mims, but it's picked off by Tabor!

A face mask against the Jets will move the Falcons up the field 15 yards, giving the Falcons 1st and 10 from the NYJ 32.

The Jets offense is back on the field and Streveler is back on the field looking to make it three scores in three possessions.

Huntley stopped on 3rd and 6 and the Falcons go three and out.

The Falcons will start their possession from the ATL 27 down by 8.

Perine bounces it out to the left for the 7 yard TD to give the Jets their first lead of the game.

This game is getting a bit out of control with all the flags being thrown. That was just the third straight penalty called on the Falcons.

Franks lowering the shoulder on a couple of scrambles, and he picks up the first down all on his own. He may not be in contention to play a lot of QB, but Franks could be used as a back up tight end and he's showing he's not shying away from contact.

1st and 10 from the ATL 38

TOUCHDOWN JETS!!!

Perine bounces the run up the middle to the outside and gets to the pylon for the 7 yard touchdown. The Jets have scored 17 unanswered points since halftime!

Jets lead 17-16 with 14:49 to go in the fourth.

Streveler under heavy pressure to start the fourth quarter, launched up a prayer and while Black couldn't make the catch the defender got there too soon and a pass interference call will give the Jets 1st and Goal from inside the ATL 5.

Streveler tucks and runs on 2nd and long and picks up the first down on the 14 yard scramble.

That will take us into the fourth quarter with the Jets looking to take the lead. 1st and 10 coming up from the ATL 35.

Streveler hit Charles over the middle, but the WR got called for offensive pass interference, and was injured on the play.

2nd and 14 from the 50.

That was the 19th penalty of the night.

Knight takes the run up the middle and gains 11 to move the chains again.

1st and 10 from the ATL 45.

On 1st and 20, after a holding penalty, Streveler got crushed after a 7 yard scamper. He then hit MIms and Black in back to back throws to move the chains.

1st and 10 from the NYJ 44 yard line.

Jets will take it from their 24 yard line with just over 4 minutes to go in the third quarter.

Ollison swallowed up in the back field after sniffing out the screen on 3rd and long.

4th and 11 coming up and the Falcons will punt.

Franks hits Pruitt for 11 yards on his first pass of the night.

1st and 10 from the ATL 36.

Atlanta takes possession holding a six point lead. They start their drive from the 25 with Felipe Franks under center.

Streveler hits Cager for the Jets opening TD of the night.

Streveler went 4/4 for 79 yards and a touchdown on his first possession of the night.

Another big play from Streveler to Black for 18 yards over the middle and the Jets are looking better under their candidate for the third string spot.

Streveler with a big gain over the middle to Cager for 23 yards.

1st and 10 from the NYJ 48.

It's Streveler at the QB position now for the NYJ. Let's see if he can get the Jets offense going.

Johnson with a big run on first down, but a flag will erase the first down gain. The Jets have been shooting themselves in the foot all night long.

2nd and 15 from the NYJ 21.

Huntley stopped on 3rd and 1, and the Jets get a stop to start their half on the defensive end. They didn't get many of those in the first two quarters.

The Falcons take the field, starting from their own 20, and it's still Ridder under center for the Falcons.

The Jets go three and out to start the third quarter, and that's a disappointing way to come out of the locker room. 

The second half is underway from New York, and it's the Jets getting the ball to start the third quarter. White is still under center for the Jets.

Mariots finds Zaccheaus on the slant pattern for the only touchdown of the first half.

Mariota got going to Pitts early for the big play down the left side.

White went 11/15 for 87 yards, but the Jets struggled to move the ball, in large part becuase of the penalties.

We are heading to halftime in the Meadowlands

Mariota started strong, going 6/10 for 132 yards and a touchdown.

Ridder came in for the second quarter and went 10/13 for 142 yards, but couldn't lead the Falcons to the end zone.

Allgeier is the Falcons leading rusher with 15 yards on 5 carries.

FIELD GOAL JETS!!!

Zuerline hits A 44 yard field goal to get the Jets on the board for the first time tonight as the clock hits 0:00 in the first half.

The Jets will settle for a field goal with 5 seconds left.

White over the middle to Mims for a gain of 26.

Jets 1st down from the ATL 31 with 11 seconds to go.

Electric run back from Knight, who gets out to the 35 after dancing around a couple tackles.

1st and 10 from the NYJ 37 with 20 seconds to go in the half.

FIELD GOAL FALCONS!!!

Koo comes on to the field and hits his thrid FG of the night. This time the FG is good from 30 yards.

Timing was off from Ridder and one of his WRs for one of the few times tonight on 3rd and 8.

After a couple of holding calls against the Falcons, Ridder hits Byrd on 2nd and 28 for a gain of 20.

Timeout Falcons with 38 seconds left, facing a 3rd and 8.

Ridder back to Bernhardt for a gain of 21, and a face mask against the Jets will give the Falcons the ball at the NYJ 14.

Ridder makes amends with a strike over the middle to Berhhardt for 34 yards. That will take us to the Two Minute Warning with the Falcons in the midst of another potential scoring drive.

1st and 10 from the NYJ 44.

Ridder not on the same page with his reciever on first down, and the pass was so far away from the WR a grounding penalty was called against the Falcons.

Atlanta will get the ball back at their 27 yard line with 2:10 left in the half. Ridder will have a chance to show his skill in the two minute drill.

Coleman is stuffed up the middle for no gain and that brings up 4th down and 1 from inside the Jets 25. Punt coming for NY.

White going down the field on 2nd and 1 and it was almost picked off by Ballentine.

The Jets and White get the ball back at their 15 yard line looking for their first points of the night.

FIELD GOAL FALCONS!!!

For the second time, the Falcons get it to a goal to go situation, but can't punch it into the endzone. Koo hits his second 23-yard field goal of the night.

The Falcons wanted to go for it on 4th and Goal from the 1, but Falcons jumped before the snap and the ATL will settle for a field goal.

Back to Allgeier again out of the backfield, and he tries to cut the corner and reach for the pylon, but was stopped a yard short.

Ridder to Allgeier for a short chunk of 5 yards on the pass over the middle.

3rd and Goal from the 5.

Allgeier up the middle for 7 yards gets down to the 1 yard line, but a holding call on the next play will back up the Falcons to the 10 yard line for 2nd Goal.

Ridder over the middle to Byrd for 12 yards on the slant and that will give the Falcons 1st and Goal for the third time tonight.

BIG HIT FROM PARKS on Baston who was stopped for no gain on the pass to the flat.

2nd and 10 from the NYJ 20.

Ridder to Bernhardt for 12 yards, and Ridder is on fire to start his night. He is a perfect 3/3 on this drive.

After a defensive holding call, the Falcons have a 1st down on the NYJ 34 yard line. 

Ridder looking good in the air to start the night. He hits Frisker on an out route for 17 yards.

Ridder's first pass is a short screen pass to Pruitt which he takes for 18 yards, and another big gain against the Jets defense.

Here comes Desmond Ridder! Mariota's night is over and the rookie will take the keys to the car in the second quarter.

1st and 10 from the ATL 20.

Another holding call against the Jets pushed them back to 3rd and 27, and New York will end up punting after starting with great field positon.

Johnson gets three yards back on the screen pass, but the Jets will have 3rd and long coming up.

An incomplete pass and a holding call on the play after push the Jets back to 2nd and 20 from the ATL 45.

Marcus Mariota looked good in the first quarter, and capped the second possession off with a 13 yard TD pass to Zaccheaus.

Coleman picks up 8 yards on 2nd and 3 and that will bring us to the end of the first quarter.

1st and 10 from the ATL 35.

That was a quick 3 and out for Atlanta who might have been trying to run a two minute drill in the final moment of the first quarter.

We may have seen the last of Mariota tonight.

The 36 yard punt will give the Jets the ball right at midfield.

Here come the Falcons and Mariota with their third possession of the first quarter.

1st and 10 from the ATL 10.

White over the middle to WIlson over the middle on 3rd and 7, but a great tackle by Alford puts and end to the Jets drive after a gain of just four.

White couldn't hit Smith on 3rd an 8 after a false start back the Jets up, but White was hit low and the flag was thrown for roughing the passer on Ogundeji.

1st and 10 from the NYJ 38.

White back under center for the second possession. What a catch from Wilson who made the tough catch on the comeback route showing good hands and fantastic strength for the 7 yard catch.

3rd and 3 coming up from the NYJ 28.

Mariota with another wide open look down field. This time it's to Frisker who was wide open down the left sideline.

1st and 10 from the NYJ 14.

Mariota back on the field, and he hits hodge on 2nd down for a pitch and catch that turns into a big gain for 34 yards, but upon review Hodge's knee was down which will cut that recpetion down to 13 yards.

The Jets opening possession is short lived, and the Falcons will get the ball back from their 25 yard line after a 13 yard return from Williams.

White dips one tackle in the backfield, and looks to run for the first down on 3rd and 5, but he was cut short of the marker.

White has a lot to prove tonight after getting outperformed by Streveler last game.

Short run stopped by the Falcons, but a defensive holding will give the Jets an automatic 1st down.

White's first pass is complete after the roll out to the right. White Wilson on the sideline for 4 yards.

The Jets will start their first possession from the 19 yard line with White under center.

FIELD GOAL FALCONS!!!

Koo comes on and bangs home the 23 yard field goal to put the Falcons on the board in the opening possession of the game.

Falcons lead 3-0 with 11:22 to go in the fourth.

The Falcons drive stalls after Mariota's pass over the middle is completed to Allgeier, but short of the endzone. 4th down coming up.

Pressure in the face of Mariota, and his pass to Hesse was incomplete. He was lucky just to escape the rush. 3rd and Goal coming up.

Williams wrapped up at the line of scrimmage and it will be 2nd and Goal from the 9 yard line.

Mariota hitting Edwards, this time on the right side of the field after an Edwards out route. 1st and Goal after three plays.

Mariota going deep to the Falcons super star tight end Kyle Pitts down the left side for a 52-yard reception.

Williams gets the opening carry of the night, as he runs left and picks up 4 yards. 2nd and 6 from the ATL 27

We are underway from the Meadowlands! The Falcons will get the first possession, and Marcus Mariota is starting under center after being named the Week 1 starter.

Rookies in the spotlight

All eyes will be on the Jets rookies Sauce Gardner and Garett Wilson tonight from the Meadowlands. Gardner is a big physical cornerback and Wilson is one of the top wide recievers in this draft class.

Word is in, Joe Flacco will not be playing tonight. Coach Saleh already saw one quarterback go down, and can't afford to see Flacco go down in preseason as well. That means that Mike White and Chris Streveler will get a heavy portion of snaps tonight.

Tonight's odds

According to Bet365.com, Falcons are a 4.5 point favorite tonight from the Meadowlands with the Over/Under set at 38. Both of these teams scored loads of points in their first games of the preseason, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see the over. Mariota should get more snaps as the season inches closer and Ridder will get time to further prove himself even more. Flacco might play, but I can’t imagine him playing more than a series or two. I like the Falcons to cover the spread on the road on Monday Night.

The new Broadway Joe?

The former Baltimore Raven is expected to take the starting role in Zach Wilson’s absence. He took most if not all of the snaps with the first-team offense this week and looked good in the joint practices against the Falcons. While the QB1 job is most likely his until Wilson comes back, it is not certain if Flacco will play tonight. If not, Mike While and Chris Streveler will by getting all of the snaps from the Meadownlands.

Saleh on resting starters

After watching his starting quarterback almost suffer a devastating injury in the first quarter of the opening preseason game, Robert Saleh is having reservations on if he wants to play his starters or not. "I'm torn on it," Saleh said. "I'm still going. I wake up one day and I'm like 'okay, they're going to play' and then the next day, I wake up and they're not going to play. I think there's tremendous value in this one, I think this one is different because it is Monday Night Football."

Falcons QB competition

The Atlanta Falcons lost one of the staples of their franchise this offseason when Matt Ryan the Georgia Dome for Indianapolis after almost a decade and a half. The former NFL MVP leaves a big void in the Falcons offense, and this preseason has served as a measuring stick for head coach Arthur Smith who will have to go with either a veteran who may be past his prime or a rookie who just got his introduction to the league.

Marcus Mariota would seem like the the easy choice, having been a starting quarterback in the NFL but spent all of last season on injured reserve. In the last two seasons, the former Heisman Trophy Winner has completed just 18 passes. Desmond Ridder certainly got a lot of praise from the Falcons and their fans after his debut. The rookie is most likely a long way from being ready to start in the NFL. At the moment it seems like it’s Mariota’s job to lose.

Desmond's debut

The Atlanta Falcons too Desmond Ridder with the 74th pick of this year’s NFL Draft. He was the second quarterback picked in the draft after Kenny Pickett was taken by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ridder threw for a total of 87 TDs and 28 INTs in his four year career at the University of Cincinnati. He ended his senior year with 3,334 yards and 30 TDs with just 8 interceptions last season. Ridder got most of the playing time for the Falcons last game, and while his numbers weren’t outstanding he did thrown for two touchdowns including the game winner. He ended his debut 10/22 with 103 yards and the win.

Wilson injured

Zach Wilson gave Jets fans quite a scare in the first quarter of the opening preseason game when he scrambled out of the pocket, and when he planted to make a cut went down without contact. There were fears of the worst for Wilson and his bummed knee after limping off the sideline, but a minor surgery over the last week went without incident. The Jets aren’t releasing too much information on the status of their QB, but Week 1 is looking like a bit of a long shot as reports say the former No. 2 draft pick could be out 4-6 weeks.

Falcons last time out

The Atlanta Falcons started the first chapter of life without Matt Ryan last week with a win over the Detroit Lions. The game was in the balance throughout there four quarters, but it was the rookie quarterback who made the difference late in the final quarter. The Lions scored a go-ahead field goal with just over five minutes left in the game, but Desmond Ridder responded with a 21-yard touchdown to Jared Bernhardt with a minute and a half to go in the game to seal the 27-23 win.

Jets last time out

The Jets may have lost their starting quarterback in the first quarter, but ended up winnning their opening preseason game 24-21 over the Philadelphia Eagles. The Jets defense took it on the chin in the opening quarter, as Jalen Hurts and the Eagles came out hot. A couple touchdowns put the Eagles up 14-0 early on and the Jets had to chase the game after watching their QB1 go down with a knee injury. Chris Streveler took over in the fourth quarter and led the comeback charge with two fourth quarter touchdowns including a walk off game winner as the defense held strong, allowing just 7 points in the last three quarters.

We are live from the Meadowlands

Hello everyone and welcome to New York where the Jets and the Falcons will look to remain undefeated in the preseason. As always, the scoreboard at the end of the fourth quarter isn’t as important as some of the things coaches pick up on during the course of the game. The Falcons have an on going QB battle, and the Jets’ situation at the quarterback position is uncertain as Zach Wilson continues to rehab his knee back to 100%.

Falcons vs. Jets

We wrap up the final preseason game of Week 2 tonight from the Meadowlands as the Atlanta Falcons and the New York Jets get set for their second of three tune ups before the regular season. AS English will be with you all night with live updates, analysis, stats and scores from MetLife Stadium.