What We Saw: Every Game From Preseason Week 2

Jets vs Falcons

 

New York Jets

 

Quarterback

• Sam Darnold: 5/7, 46 yards
• Luke Falk: 4/4, 41 yards, 1 TD

Sam Darnold was clicking again this week. No touchdown this time, but he facilitated another opening drive that led to a score on the ground by Ty Montgomery. A large portion of the drive was no-huddle as well. Through two games this preseason, Darnold is 9/12 for 114 yards. Trevor Siemian didn’t do much with his playing time, but Luke Falk was able to complete all four of his attempts, one of which went for a touchdown. 

 

Running Back

• Ty Montgomery: 7 carries, 36 yards, 1 TD
• Bilal Powell: 5 carries, 20 yards
• Elijah McGuire: 5 carries, 14 yards

No Le’Veon Bell tonight for the Jets. He did not suit up again this week, though it truly may be Adam Gase not wanting to show his hand with his star running back. Instead, it was a bit of a showcase for Ty Montgomery who got the start and scored on New York’s opening drive. Montgomery is poised to have a productive season and could carve himself into a solid flex option–especially in PPR formats. Bilal Powell and Elijah McGuire followed Montgomery and each had 5 carries to work with. While Powell had 20-yards on the ground to McGuire’s 14, Powell’s longest went for 18.

 

Wide Receiver/ Tight End

• Robby Anderson: 3 receptions, 32 yards 
• Deontay Burnett: 2 receptions, 24 yards, 1 TD
• Quincy Enunwa: 2 receptions, 14 yards

It was great to see Robby Anderson and Darnold connecting yet again. Anderson caught all three of his targets, the highlight being a 21-yard catch. The key here was having him used in different sets other than on the outside going deep. Quincy Enunwa also had two catches to open the game, and the Jets hope he can remain healthy each week. Deontay Burnett, who played with Darnold in USC, scored late when Falk was in at QB.

 

Atlanta Falcons

 

Quarterback

• Matt Ryan: 10/14, 118 yards
• Matt Simms: 9/19, 85 yards, 1 INT
• Matt Schaub: 8/10, 76 yards

It was Matt Ryan’s preseason debut, and though he didn’t have a touchdown, he looked sharp while he was in the game, playing deep into the 2nd quarter. Ryan then turned the quarterback duties over to Matt Schaub who also looked solid in his efforts. Schaub was followed by Matt Simms who finished out the game and threw the Falcons lone interception.

 

Running Back

• Quadree Ollison: 9 carries, 44 yards
• Ito Smith: 5 carries, 13 yards, 1 TD, 3 receptions, 45 yards
• Devonta Freeman: 1 carry, 2 yards

The Falcons were thrilled to have Devonta Freeman suited and playing, having missed 14 games in 2018. His time spent in the game was extremely short-lived, only carrying the ball once for 2 yards. If I was a betting man, I would expect to see a bit more of him next week. Both Quadree Ollison and Ito Smith had productive nights on the ground, each making a case to be the true backup to Freeman. Smith made his case, rushing for a touchdown, and hauling in three catches for 45 yards.

 

Wide Receiver/ Tight End

• Jaeden Graham: 4 receptions, 55 yards 
• Calvin Ridley: 2 receptions, 28 yards
• Austin Hooper: 3 receptions, 20 yards

Julio Jones did not play tonight, Mohamed Sanu had just one target, and Calvin Ridley caught both of his targets for 28 yards. This was a night for plenty of depth to get involved. Jaeden Graham had four catches, Devin Gray had three, and Justin Hardy dropped a gimme touchdown in the back of the endzone from Ryan. Austin Hooper caught all three of his targets, and is always in the discussion of being a steady streaming option at tight end during the fantasy season.

 

— Matthew Cava