Picture: The Canadian Press

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Marcus Mariota led Atlanta to scores on two of his three drives within the Falcons’ 24-16 loss towards largely New York Jets backups Monday evening.

Mariota, who strengthened his maintain on the beginning job, was 6 of 10 for 132 yards and a landing go to Olamide Zaccheaus earlier than giving option to rookie Desmond Ridder with a 10-0 lead within the second quarter.

“The final couple years have been an excellent reset for me, however I’m excited concerning the alternative, enthusiastic about this staff,” stated Mariota, who hasn’t began a regular-season recreation since 2019 with Tennessee.

Ridder, a third-round select of Cincinnati, wasn’t too shabby, both, going 10 of 13 for 143 yards and main the Falcons to 2 area objectives throughout his three collection that have been marred by penalties. Feleipe Franks changed him halfway by way of the third quarter.

Tight finish Kyle Pitts was one among just a few different projected Falcons starters who performed — and made his presence felt early with a 52-yard reception on Atlanta’s second play from scrimmage. He bought large open on Bryce Corridor, who’s competing with rookie Sauce Gardner for a beginning job at cornerback, to place the Falcons on the Jets 9.

“Properly, , it makes it straightforward whenever you’ve bought a man like Kyle,” Mariota stated. “However yeah, we felt good concerning the participant, felt good concerning the look and hats off to Kyle for executing it.”

The drive stalled, although, and the Falcons needed to accept a 23-yard area objective by Younghoe Koo. However Mariota led Atlanta into the tip zone on the following possession. He hit a wide-open Anthony Firkser for a 39-yard achieve to get to the Jets 14, after which discovered Zaccheaus for a 13-yard TD two performs later.

The Jets sat most of their projected starters, together with quarterback Joe Flacco — who took over as New York’s QB1 rather than the injured Zach Wilson.

Wilson is out just a few weeks as he recovers from a bone bruise and surgically repaired torn meniscus in his proper knee, along with his availability for the season opener towards Baltimore on Sept. 11 unsure. It could be Flacco below middle if Wilson cannot go, however Mike White bought the beginning towards the Falcons and was largely ineffective with the backups.

White went 12 of 17 for 90 yards, and the offense punted on every of his first 4 collection earlier than Greg Zuerlein’s 44-yard area objective ended the primary half with the Jets trailing 16-3.

COMEBACK CHRIS

Fourth-stringer Chris Streveler, who hadn’t thrown a go in staff drills earlier than main the Jets to 2 touchdowns within the preseason opener at Philadelphia, was at it once more towards Atlanta.

The previous CFL quarterback, who had earlier NFL stints with Arizona, Baltimore and Miami, changed White within the third quarter and engineered TD drives in his first two collection.

First got here a 34-yard TD go to Lawrence Cager, then an eight-play drive that was capped by La’Mical Perine’s 7-yard run that gave the Jets a 17-16 lead 11 seconds into the fourth quarter.

Streveler completed 8 of 11 for 119 yards and the TD with an interception. He additionally led the Jets with 33 yards speeding on six carries.

SCOOP AND SCORE

Jets defensive lineman Bradlee Anae, competing for a roster spot on a deep unit, made his case to stay round. He sacked Franks, inflicting him to fumble, after which picked up the ball and rumbled 30 yards into the tip zone for a landing that gave New York a 24-16 lead.

SLOPPY

Ridder led the Falcons to the Jets 1 in his first collection, however a false begin penalty on offensive lineman Jalen Mayfield on fourth down had Atlanta choose as an alternative for a 23-yard area objective by Koo.

The subsequent drive featured 5 extra penalties — 4 on the Falcons, with one declined — and Atlanta settled for a 30-yard area objective.

INJURIES

Jets WR Tarik Black was being evaluated for a concussion. … Jets WR Irvin Charles left with a rib harm within the fourth quarter.

UP NEXT

Falcons: Wrap up their preseason schedule by internet hosting Jacksonville on Saturday.

Jets: Host the Giants on Sunday of their annual preseason showdown.

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