Falcons lose again, go 0-4 in preseason

ATLANTA — Brock Osweiler made a strong final bid for the Miami Dophins’ backup quarterback job, leading three firstquarter touchdown drives in their 34-7 preseason win over the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night.

Osweiler is competing with David Fales to be No. 2 behind Ryan Tannehill. Osweiler completed each of his first six passes for 65 yards, including a 1-yard scoring pass to Buddy Howell, on Miami’s opening drive. He added a 14-yard scoring pass to Francis Owusu on the final play of the third quarter.

Osweiler completed 16 of 25 passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns for the Dolphins (1-3). Fales completed 13 of 20 passes for 94 yards and one interception.

Miami coach Adam Gase was impressed by the first-half production of the offense, led by Osweiler, Howell and running back Kalen Ballage, who had a 9-yard scoring run. Howell also ran for a touchdown.

“They had a good tempo going,” Gase said. “They took advantage of some of the calls versus the coverages they ran. They got some explosive plays. It was good to see.”

Each team rested most of its starters in the final preseason game.

The Falcons (0-4) had little offense with their starters — including quarterback Matt Ryan, running backs Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman and wide receiver Julio Jones — watching on the sideline. Atlanta was held to nine first downs and 185 yards.

“Obviously not the night that we wanted and not the energy that is needed and certainly not the energy that our fans deserve,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said.

The Falcons also finished 0-4 in the 2017 preseason before advancing to the playoffs.

Kurt Benkert played most of the game at quarterback and may have lost ground in his effort to win a roster spot behind Ryan and Matt Schaub. He threw two interceptions while completing only 10 of 25 passes for 103 yards.

Benkert’s first pass of the second half was intercepted by Jordan Lucas on a deflection off the hands of receiver Reggie Davis. Linebacker Stephone Anthony’s interception of Benkert’s pass late in the first quarter set up a 1-yard scoring run by Howell.

A rare offensive highlight for Atlanta came late in the first quarter when Benkert completed a short pass to running back Malik Williams, who jumped over Lucas for a 16-yard gain. That possession ended when Williams was stopped on fourth down.

Benkert’s 13-yard pass to Devin Gray set up Williams’ 8-yard scoring run with 25 seconds remaining in the half.