Atlanta Falcons: 3 Standouts from Preseason Week 2

As the Atlanta Falcons fell to 0-2 in the preseason with a loss to the Chiefs, there were a few players that stood out in the Week 2 matchup.

For any Atlanta Falcons fans that were hoping the team would have a glowing record throughout the 2018 preseason, things haven’t been going great thus far. In their second matchup of the exhibition contests, they recorded their second loss of the preseason, this time falling to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Even in the preseason, losses can still leave a bad taste in the mouths of the team and fans alike. Having said that, all was not lost for the Falcons in this matchup with the Chiefs. In fact, the starters for Atlanta were out-playing those of Kansas City before their time on the field came to a close.

Thus, there is a positive air about the Falcons coming out of this game. Keeping that going, let’s take a look at three players who stood out for Atlanta despite the defeat.

Calvin Ridley

If they gave out MVP trophies for preseason games, Calvin Ridley would have earned one for his performance on Friday night. Racking up over 100 total yards, scoring a touchdown and showing off some impressive separation against the Chiefs starters in the secondary capped off an impressive second outing for the rookie.

More from NFL Spin Zone

• Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
• Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
• Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
• Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
• Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens

With Julio Jones on the sidelines for the contest, it was Ridley that assumed the role of leading target for Matt Ryan. Ridley performed nicely, and one can only wonder the matchups he will be able to exploit when Jones in on the opposite hash.

Austin Hooper

One of the missing elements to the Falcons offense over the last few years has been the tight end position. Since Tony Gonzalez traded his black helmet for a tiny black microphone on his lapel, the Falcons have rolled in several stop-gap players in the role.

Austin Hooper almost doubled his statistical output from his rookie campaign in his second season. On Friday night, he picked up right where he left off. On the first Falcons first possession, he had two nice grabs: one on a drive-extending third down conversion, the other on a drive-capping touchdown grab. If Hooper continues to provide a viable check down and red zone option for Ryan, the offense could return to the league-leading performance from two years ago.

Brian Poole

The spotlight has been on Brian Poole from the beginning of the preseason. With the Falcons investing a second-round draft pick in cornerback Isaiah Oliver, the defensive backfield has suddenly become a tough place to earn snaps.

Poole has become an integral part of the Falcon defensive unit, he has a unique blend of speed and strength that allows him to manage several different personnel groupings. Against the Chiefs, he again showed he can be counted on as a run-stopper as he stuffed last season’s Rookie of the Year, Kareem Hunt, on a key third down.