Nothing the Falcons did against the Titans on Saturday night was official because it was only an exhibition game.
That’s not the same thing as saying exhibition games are insignificant.
“They don’t count,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said in the days before the game, “but they do matter.”
What mattered most for the Falcons in their third exhibition game was showing that their front-line players are ready for the Sept. 7 season opener. They didn’t do it during a listless performance at Houston last week, but Falcons regulars showed signs of finding their rhythm during a 24-17 loss to Tennessee at the Georgia Dome.
The starters played the entire first half and the opening possession after halftime while staking the backups to a 17-10 lead that didn’t hold. Quarterback Matt Ryan completed 18 of 23 pass attempts for 224 yards and long touchdown passes to Julio Jones and Devin Hester.
Jones, playing in his second game since foot surgery ended his season in October, scored on a 52-yard catch-and-run. Hester, signed in the offseason to return kicks, showed his value as a wide receiver when he caught a 31-yard touchdown pass to end the game’s first possession.
The big game from Jones was a welcome sign for the Falcons. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2012 and started strong in 2013 before breaking a bone in his right foot. This game was the latest evidence he’s healthy again.
Jones and Hester’s big plays made for an efficient night for the No. 1 offense. The starters scored two touchdowns and a field goals on six possessions while gaining 266 yards on 38 plays (7.0 average).
The No. 1 defense wasn’t as sharp while giving up 10 points and 207 yards on 29 plays (7.1 average). The Falcons did sack Tennessee quarterback Jake Locker twice on 17 drop-backs, with linebacker Paul Worrilow and cornerback Robert Alford reaching him on blitzes.
Falcons starters could have had an even better night if not for six penalties committed for 58 yards. The starters had two other penalties that were offset by Tennessee penalties.
Also, the Falcons failed to convert a fourth-and-short at Tennessee’s 20-yard line just before halftime and went three-and-out on their only possession of the second half. And the No. 1 defense gave up Jake Locker’s 63-yard touchdown pass to Nate Washington in the second quarter.
But those low points were balanced by lots of good for the Falcons, none more important than Jones’ return to form.
Jones flashed his rare combination of quickness, power and speed on the 52-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter.
Jones caught Matt Ryan’s short pass after a hard cut. Titans cornerback Coty Sensabaugh and safety George Wilson closed to make the tackle; Jones shrugged them both off before running away from help defenders for the final 45 yards.
Jones finished with two catches for 63 yards and the touchdown. He also induced a 23-yard pass interference penalty against reserve cornerback Tommie Campbell that helped set up Matt Bryant’s 22-yard field goal for a 17-3 lead four minutes before halftime.
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