Ryan, Falcons hit their stride in loss
Quarterback leads 2 drives, including TD march vs. K.C.
After a dismal showing in the first preseason game, Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons found their offensive rhythm Friday.
Ryan guided the Falcons right down the field for a touchdown on their first possession, hooking up with Austin Hooper on a four-yard scoring pass, and led another impressive drive before calling it a night in a 28-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Ryan finished 5-for-7 for 90 yards, looking very much like the quarterback who won the MVP during the 2016 season even though two of his top weapons, receiver Julio Jones and running back Devonta Freeman, were held out for the second week in a row.
Kansas City’s new starting quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, had an up-anddown game. The secondyear player was intercepted on a deep throw by Falcons safety Damontae Kazee, who drifted over from the middle of the field to pick a ball intended for Sammy Watkins.
Mahomes caught a break when another ill-advised throw into the end zone was dropped by Falcons cornerback Blidi Wrenwilson, allowing the Chiefs to salvage a field goal.
But, with just 17 seconds left in the first half, Mahomes made the most of his final pass. Three Atlanta defensive backs inexplicably allowed Tyreek Hill to get behind them, and Mahomes delivered the pass in stride for a 69yard touchdown.
Mahomes was 8-for-12 for 138 yards.
Panthers 27, Dolphins 20: Christian Mccaffrey had 120 yards from scrimmage in the first half, including a 71-yard touchdown run, and Carolina defeated Miami in a preseason game. Mccaffrey had 92 yards rushing on five carries and caught four passes for 28 yards for Carolina (2-0). Cam Newton overcame an early interception and two sacks by Robert Quinn to finish 9-for-12 for 89 yards, including a 27-yard touchdown pass to speedy rookie tight end Ian Thomas to give Carolina a 13-9 lead before exiting near the end of the first half. Ryan Tannehill was an effective 14-for-17 for 100 yards despite playing without wide receivers Devante Parker and Kenny Stills, but Miami (0-2) struggled to finish drives and settled for three field goals in the first half. Kenyan Drake had 54 yards rushing on eight carries.
Cardinals 20, saints 15: Free-agent acquisition Sam Bradford and 10th overall draft choice Josh Rosen combined to provide a promising outlook for Arizona at quarterback. After Bradford completed all six of his passes for 61 yards, Rosen went 10-for-16 for 107 yards, including a 13-yard touchdown to rookie Christian Kirk in a preseason victory over New Orleans. Saints quarterback Drew Brees sat out the entire game.