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A preseason Week 1 Friday night triple-header is in the books, and the day as a whole could not have gone much worse for the Falcons.
First, the NFL handed down an eight-game suspension to edge defender James Pearce Jr., a 2025 first-round pick. The suspension stems from a Feb. 7 incident with ex-girlfriend (and current Chicago Sky standout) Rickea Jackson and comes just over a week after Pearce’s fellow Falcons 2025 first-round EDGE, Jalon Walker, tore his ACL.
If there had been any hope that getting on the football field would turn the day around, those hopes evaporated quickly. After the Broncos quickly drove down the field for a touchdown — highlighted by Courtland Sutton mossing defenders not once but twice — Tua Tagovailoa fumbled his second snap. Atlanta managed just one first down across Tagovailoa’s two drives, and with Michael Penix Jr.. (knee) still sidelined, it hasn’t been the most inspiring quarterback competition.
Cooper Rush then came in and threw two interceptions, including a pick-six to Jahdae Barron, and the Broncos rolled 27-7.
Elsewhere …
De’Von Achane scores a touchdown as Commanders beat Dolphins; Buccaneers beat Jets
The Dolphins played their starters one series, and it couldn’t have gone much better. Against mostly Commanders’ backups, Miami drove 93 yards on 14 plays and capped the drive with a 1-yard De’Von Achane plunge.
Earlier in the drive, rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas made arguably the catch of the night.
The Commanders won 20-7, but they’ll be monitoring the status of backup quarterback Marcus Mariota, who left with an apparent knee injury.
In New York, the Buccaneers beat the Jets 24-16. Neither quarterback started — Baker Mayfield was never expected to play, and Geno Smith sat with mild foot soreness. For New York, Garrett Wilson had two receptions for 32 yards, and Braelon Allen had a 31-yard touchdown run. Ayden Garnes had a 47-yard pick-six for the visitors, who did not play their starters.
Preseason week 1 schedule
Thursday
Cincinnati Bengals 16, Detroit Lions 14
Pittsburgh Steelers 28, Green Bay Packers 9
New England Patriots 13, Indianapolis Colts 13
Los Angeles Chargers 27, Houston Texans 7
Arizona Cardinals 27, Las Vegas Raiders 14
Tennessee Titans 19, San Francisco 49ers 13
Friday
Washington Commanders 20, Miami Dolphins 7
Denver Broncos 27, Atlanta Falcons 7
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24, New York Jets, 16
Saturday
Carolina Panthers at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m.
Cleveland Browns at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m.
Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants, 1 p.m.
Jacksonville Jaguars at New Orleans Saints, 4 p.m.
Los Angeles Rams at Kansas City Chiefs, 4 p.m.
Philadelphia Eagles at Baltimore Ravens, 7 p.m.
Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks, 8 p.m.
