Browns @ Falcons
Final Score: Browns 19, Falcons 10
Writer: Ryan Radel (@RadelFF on Twitter)
This was the first action Baker Mayfield has seen all preseason, and thankfully for Browns fans (myself included) he looked excellent during his time on the field. Once the backups came in, it got a little sloppy for both teams, but Case Keenum continued to look great in relief of Baker. With this being the final preseason game, it’s the final shot at making the roster for several bubble players on both teams, so there were plenty of high effort plays to go around. We even had a Josh Rosen sighting, as well as finally getting to see Kyle Pitts in action. In the end, the Browns take home the victory in this preseason match with a final score of 19-10. Here’s what we saw.
Cleveland Browns
| Preseason Week 1 | Preseason Week 2 |
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield: 6/10, 113 yards, TD
Kyle Lauletta: 11/22, 150 yards, TD, 2 INT | 2 carries, -2 yards
Case Keenum: 12/19, 109 yards
Baker Mayfield took to the field for the first time this preseason and looked to already be in mid-season form. The catch on this toss to KhaDarel Hodge was noteworthy of itself, but the throw on this pass was a treat as well. The angle isn’t great, but Baker rolled out to his left, throwing under pressure to a spot where only Hodge could catch it.
Time to Breakout the Guitar! 🎸💥
@ItsKhaDarel | #CLEvsATL
📺: @SNFonNBC
📲: Browns mobile app pic.twitter.com/EpNDpQvaR4— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 30, 2021
Kyle Lauletta continues to make a case for a roster spot with throws like this:
Excuse me…that's mine! 😅@14DDavis | #CLEvsATL
📺: @SNFonNBC
📲: Browns mobile app pic.twitter.com/ihghsP5Miy— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 30, 2021
He’s still very raw, especially in his decision-making. In the end, he shouldn’t contest Case Keenum for the backup spot, as previously mentioned.
Running Back
Kareem Hunt: 2 carries, 5 yards
D’Ernest Johnson: 3 carries, 11 yards | 6 targets, 5 receptions, 44 yards
John Kelly: 10 carries, 30 yards | 2 targets, 1 reception, 26 yards
Demetric Felton: 4 carries, 15 yards
Johnny Stanton: 3 carries, 12 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, 4 yards
Not a lot to write home about from this group, especially without Nick Chubb which is especially understandable after J.K. Dobbins is lost for the year from preseason action. Demetric Felton had a nice run up the middle and has been utilized all over the field throughout the preseason by Head Coach Kevin Stefanski. D’Ernest Johnson definitely has a place on this team as the third running back, especially since he contributes on special teams. If either of the Browns star duo of Chubb or Hunt go down, Johnson is worth a look in deeper leagues.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Austin Hooper: 2 targets, 1 reception, 35 yards
Donovan Peoples-Jones: 3 targets, 1 reception, 8 yards
Ja’Marcus Bradley: 6 targets, 3 receptions, 55 yards
Kyle Markway: 8 targets, 5 receptions, 54 yards
Davion Davis: 10 targets, 5 receptions, 53 yards, TD
Jordan Franks: 6 targets, 4 receptions, 45 yards
KhaDarel Hodge: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 42 yards, TD
Anthony Schwartz: 1 target, 1 reception, 6 yards
Austin Hooper hit his old team for a big play early in the game, as defenders collided in a designed pick play and freed up Hooper for 35 yards up the sideline. Also, some great awareness from Baker to read and throw this ball quickly.
HOOOOOOP! #CLEvsATL
📺: @SNFonNBC
📲: Browns mobile app pic.twitter.com/p9bX4uYydb— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 30, 2021
There’s a chance that KhaDarel Hodge may beat out Higgins for the final wide receiver roster spot. He’s a high effort player who plays through the whistle on every snap. With a willingness to block and the motor to contribute on special teams, Hodge will find a home if he doesn’t end up making the cut in Cleveland.
Davion Davis is, unfortunately, a cut candidate even with this showing. Donovan Peoples-Jones only brought in one of his targets, but he’s certainly going to have a spot in this offense now and into the future.
Atlanta Falcons
| Preseason Week 1 | Preseason Week 2 |
Quarterback
Josh Rosen: 9/18, 118 yards, TD, 2 sacks | 4 carries, 13 yards
Feleipe Franks: 5/8, 66 yards, 2 sacks | 3 carries, 5 yards
We have a Josh Rosen sighting! All jokes aside, Rosen looked pretty good in this preseason matchup. It shouldn’t be too hard to beat out rookie Feleipe Franks as the backup quarterback in Atlanta, considering how raw Franks is. Rosen may have found a home for now.
That @josh3rosen ➡️ @304_wan connection!
📺: NBC pic.twitter.com/iOAzxtK5Kb
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) August 30, 2021
Running Back
D’Onta Foreman: 4 carries, 25 yards
Qadree Ollison: 5 carries, 21 yards | 2 targets, 1 reception, 6 yards
Caleb Huntley: 8 carries, 16 yards | 2 targets, 1 reception, 5 yards
Again, nothing much to write home about here as we still haven’t seen Mike Davis. I still think Qadree Ollison has the backup role locked up. It’s good to see Foreman getting snaps in the NFL again, but I don’t think he is long for the Falcons’ roster.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Kyle Pitts: 1 target, 1 reception, 27 yards
Juwan Green: 5 targets, 3 receptions, 58 yards, TD
Antonio Nunn: 6 targets, 2 receptions, 23 yards
Chris Rowland: 2 targets, 1 reception, 21 yards
David Wells: 1 target, 1 reception, 17 yards
Frank Darby: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 13 yards
Christian Blake: 1 target, 1 reception, 7 yards
John Raine: 2 targets, 1 reception, 7 yards
Olamide Zaccheaus: 1 target
A lot of bubble guys fighting for roster spots on the Falcons side of the ball, so there wasn’t a lot of notable action from this group. But, we got a Kyle Pitts catch!
Get used to this, Falcons fans.
📺: NBC | @kylepitts__ pic.twitter.com/BzZxAfZ8bK
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) August 30, 2021
He truly makes that type of speed look effortless. It will be interesting to see how quickly he develops in the NFL with the amount of hype surrounding him. If anyone can help, it’s Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, who helped Austin Hooper have a career year on the way to a big payday from Cleveland.
#MattyIce❄️ meets up with Baker Mayfield and Hoooooooop postgame. pic.twitter.com/7GTV8IaRK7
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) August 30, 2021
— Ryan Radel (@RadelFF on Twitter)