Jets 24, Falcons 16: TE Kyle Pitts Shines In Atlanta’s Preseason Loss

When the Atlanta Falcons and New York Jets held a pair of joint practices over the weekend, tight finish Kyle Pitts was a hot topic. And Monday evening at MetLife Stadium, Pitts lived as much as the hype throughout his first preseason motion in 2022.

Whereas the Falcons stood at second-and-six early within the first quarter, Pitts accomplished a 52-yard reception from quarterback Marcus Mariota. Pitts’ lone contribution helped the Falcons end their first drive of the evening with 72-yards on seven performs.

“It makes it straightforward when you could have a man like Kyle,” Marcus Mariota stated throughout an interview with ESPN. “We felt good concerning the play. And we felt good concerning the look. Hats off to Kyle for making an excellent play.”

Atlanta’s drive ended with a 23-yard area purpose. However it wasn’t sufficient to forestall the Falcons from sustaining a 24-16 preseason defeat to the Jets. 

Pitts appeared in a single drive throughout his preseason opener, and it was sufficient to reassure why the second-year prospect has been held because the Falcons’ prime offensive weapon heading into the 2022 marketing campaign. 

The Falcons’ quarterback play was substantial 

Mariota acquired extra enjoying time towards the Jets, and the veteran quarterback placed on a clinic. Mariota appeared within the Falcons’ first three drives of the evening, the place he went 6-for-10 for 132 yards and one landing. 

Mariota’s passes from the pocket had been crisp whereas he made fast reads to get the ball off promptly. 

The identical may very well be stated for rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder, whose ball placement could have been extra correct than his mentor. Ridder’s efficiency could have been a bit extra spectacular than that of Mariota, on condition that the rookie quarterback performed the latter of his snaps competing within the rain. 

Jared Bernhardt continues to impress 

Undrafted free agent Jared Bernhardt continued to showcase why he deserves a spot on the Falcons’ 53-man roster. 

Bernhardt has made performs and caught the attention of Atlanta’s teaching employees all through coaching camp, and his second preseason outing was no completely different. 

Bernhardt completed the sport with a team-best 67 yards on three catches, all coming throughout the first half. The spotlight of Bernhardt’s evening passed off late within the second quarter when Ridder related with the rookie receiver for a 20-yard completion.  

Following his play towards the Jets, Bernhardt has now recorded 91 yards on 4 catches in the course of the Falcons’ 2-0 preseason begin. 

Falcons’ blown lead is not a lot of a priority 

The Falcons as soon as held a 16-0 lead over the Jets however couldn’t maintain their excessive degree of manufacturing in the course of the second half of the sport. New York outscored Atlanta 21-0 in the course of the second half, however the Falcons’ collapse shouldn’t be too regarding. 

Atlanta’s second-half stoop started when third-string gamers took to the sector on each side of the ball, highlighted by hybrid quarterback Feleipe Franks.