Jets storm back to stun Falcons 24-16

Third-string quarterback Feleipe Franks had a chance to tie the game, but the drive stalled on the 5-yard line.

“Obviously, I’ll start with myself, I’ve got to execute a little better at the end of the game,” Franks told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Just situational awareness and obviously punching the ball in when we get down to the goal line.”

After an interception by Teez Tabor, Franks drove the Falcons within striking distance, but Franks tossed four incompletions.

“You want to score points down there, but overall it was fun,” said Franks, who spent most of training camp working out at tight end.

Franks, who completed 2 of 6 passes for 8 yards, misfired in the direction of Geronimo Allison, Stanley Berryhill twice and then Anthony Firkser on fourth-and-goal.

“A couple of RPO plays,” Franks said. “I think it was just communication, starting with myself and across the board. We weren’t on the same page with a couple of plays. It starts with me getting everybody on the same page. Just punching it in. No real big explanation. Just get the ball in the end zone.”

The Falcons blew two promising drives with several penalties in the second quarter and then aided the Jets’ fourth-string quarterback with a 28-yard pass-interference penalty to help them take the lead.

The Falcons jumped to a 16-0 lead and were up 16-3 at halftime. The Falcons had eight penalties for 68 yards at the half. They finished with 13 penalties for 121 yards.

“Obviously, I have to look at the tape,” Smith said. “Especially on some of the in-between penalties. The ones that really drive me nuts are the procedure stuff. Then we have to look at the tape and make sure that we play with good fundamentals and technique.”

Rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder took over for Marcus Mariota in the second quarter and had two promising drives derailed by penalties. The missed touchdown opportunities proved costly.

“We kind of hurt ourselves right there in the second quarter,” Ridder said. “Getting good drives and then coming back and getting self-inflicted penalties.”

Ridder drove the Falcons from their 20 to the Jets’ 1-yard line, but Jalen Mayfield had a false start and the Falcons had to settle for a 23-yard field goal. Mayfield wasn’t the only culprit. Tackle Rick Leonard had a holding call on the drive.

Ridder, who completed 10 of 13 passes for 143 yards, showed poise in the pocket and moved the offense.

He had five completions of 12 yards or more to five different receivers as MyCole Pruitt (18 yards), Firkser (17), Jared Bernhardt (12), Cameron Batson (20) and Damiere Byrd (12) all hauled in passes from Ridder on his first drive.

The field goal ended a 13-play, 74-yard drive that took 8:13 off the clock.

After the defense forced its fourth punt of the first half, Ridder had the Falcons back on the move from their 32-yard line.

His first pass of the drive was incomplete before he connected with Bernhardt for a 34-yard gain. He had a 25-yard pass play to Pruitt negated by an illegal-motion penalty.

Ridder came back with a 21-yard completion to Bernhardt, and Jets cornerback Rachad Wildgoose was called for a face-mask penalty to move the ball to the 14. But Ridder couldn’t overcome holding penalties on Mayfield and Leonard although he did drive the Falcons to third-and-8 from the 12, but Avery Williams was called for pass interference.

The Jets declined the penalty to make it fourth down. Younghoe Koo made a 30-yard field goal to put the Falcons up 16-0.

The Jets ended the half with a 44-yard field goal by Greg Zuerlein.

The Jets had a touchdown in the third quarter when quarterback Chris Streveler tossed a short pass to Lawrence Cager, who ran in for a 34-yard touchdown. The Falcons led 16-10.

Jets running back La’Mical Perine scored on a 7-yard run with 14:49 left in the fourth quarter. The PAT put the Jets up 17-16. Cornerback Lafayette Pitts had a 28-yard pass-interference penalty to help the Jets get into scoring position.

On the Falcons’ next possession, Franks was sacked by Bradlee Anae, who scooped up the fumble and scored from 31 yards.

After Tabor’s interception, Franks drove the Falcons from the Jets’ 32 to the 5-yard line. His fourth-down pass for Firkser was high with 4:20 to play.

The Falcons’ starters were pretty much penalty free as they built a 16-0 lead that the reserves could not protect.

Mariota played three series and guided the Falcons to a 10-0 lead.

Mariota got busy early, hitting tight end Kyle Pitts for a 52-yard gain on the second play from scrimmage. The drive stalled, and Koo came on to make a 23-yard field goal.

“I felt pretty good to start the game fast,” Kyle Pitts said. “We’ve got to fix the minor details for next week.”

Kyle Pitts put a wicked move on cornerback Bryce Hall to get open.

“Yeah, I just seen the way that he was backpedaling and my move was going to work,” Kyle Pitts said.

On the second possession, Mariota, operating mostly out of the shotgun, drove the Falcons 75 yards over six plays. He connected with wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus for a 13-yard touchdown. Zaccheaus beat Hall for the touchdown.

“I ran a good route, and Marcus had time to throw the ball,” Zaccheaus said. “He threw a great ball. It was a matter of everybody executing and doing their job and putting points on the board.”

On Mariota’s third series, the Falcons couldn’t move the ball and were forced to punt. On third-and-6 from Atlanta’s 14-yard line, Mariota threw the ball behind Zaccheaus, who was running a slant.

Mariota completed 6 of 10 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown. He finished with a passer rating of 137.5.

The Falcons’ defense opened with Jalen Dalton playing for Grady Jarrett. Also, Jaylinn Hawkins, who missed the last game with a left leg injury, started at safety.

The Falcons have a short week with Wednesday and Thursday practices with the Jaguars.

After facing the Jaguars in their final exhibition game, the Falcons are set to play the Saints in their season opener Sept. 11 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The Bow Tie Chronicles