Falcons Trounce Colts On The Road In Pre-Season Win+ Saturday’s NFL Highlights And Scores

The Atlanta Falcons snapped an eight-game preseason losing streak in emphatic fashion on Saturday afternoon, riding a dominant performance by rookie quarterback Jack Strand to a 34-6 blowout victory over the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium.

With both teams electing to rest their primary starters, the Week 2 exhibition became a showcase for Atlanta’s depth and future prospects.

The Falcons wasted no time establishing dominance. Former Colts running back Tyler Goodson provided an early spark against his old squad, breaking loose for a spectacular 49-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Atlanta’s offense clicked under multiple signal-callers, but it was Strand who stole the spotlight. The rookie completed 12 of 17 passes for 212 yards and a touchdown, while adding an 18-yard rushing score early in the third quarter to break the game wide open.

Atlanta’s backup quarterbacks, including Cooper Rush, consistently picked apart the Colts’ secondary. Pass-catcher Cash Jones served as the primary beneficiary, leading the Falcons’ receiving corps with four catches for 62 yards and a touchdown.

Conversely, it was a afternoon to forget for the home team. The Colts’ offense struggled mightily under heavy defensive pressure. Riley Leonard got the start under center, finishing 7-of-14 for 62 yards, while Anthony Richardson struggled to find a rhythm, completing just 3 of 9 passes for 24 yards while enduring two sacks.

The lone bright spot for Indianapolis came from kicker Spencer Shrader, who accounted for all of the Colts’ points by drilling impressive first-half field goals from 48 and 53 yards out.

The Falcons defense pitched a total shutout in the final three quarters, capping off a complete team victory that gives Atlanta significant momentum heading into their final preseason matchup.

Around The League

A historic special teams feat and a defensive masterclass headlined a massive 10-game NFL preseason slate on Saturday, August 22, offering fans a thrilling look at depth chart battles and rookie debuts across the league.

The most jaw-dropping moment of the day belonged to Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker. Right before halftime, Butker stunned the stadium by launching an incredible, historic 69-yard field goal. Despite his record-shattering leg strength, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers managed to edge past the Chiefs in a tight 16-15 finish.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams delivered the weekend’s most ruthless performance, pitching a dominant 34-0 shutout against the New Orleans Saints. Quarterback Stetson Bennett fueled the offense by scrambling for two first-half rushing touchdowns, while cornerback Alex Cook sealed the defensive masterclass with a spectacular goal-line interception returned for a touchdown.

In Cleveland, a severe weather delay pushed back kickoff, but the spotlight remained fixed on Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who earned his first career preseason start. Sanders showed flashes of his potential, connecting with Mecole Hardman Jr. for a 9-yard touchdown strike. However, the Buffalo Bills depth completely overwhelmed the Browns later in the game, cruising to a comfortable 31-7 victory.

Saturday’s action concluded in Arizona, where the Dallas Cowboys put on an efficient clinic on both sides of the ball. Dallas built a commanding 24-6 halftime advantage, ultimately cruising past the Cardinals 34-13 to close out the evening.

Saturday Scores & Highlights:

Detroit Lions 17, Washington Commanders 13

• Highlight: Quarterback Joshua Dobbs recovered from an early turnover by breaking free for an explosive 50-yard touchdown run.

Buffalo Bills 31, Cleveland Browns 7

• Highlight: Cleveland rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders earned his first career preseason start following a weather delay, throwing a 9-yard touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman Jr.

Baltimore Ravens 13, Minnesota Vikings 3

• Highlight: Baltimore’s relentless defense continuously disrupted Minnesota’s rhythm, forcing an inaccurate and frustrating afternoon for rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

New York Giants 26, Miami Dolphins 3

• Highlight: Veteran wideout Odell Beckham Jr. sparked the offense with key explosive plays, securing John Harbaugh his first victory as the Giants’ head coach.

Los Angeles Rams 34, New Orleans Saints 0

• Highlight: Quarterback Stetson Bennett scored two rushing touchdowns, while a goal-line interception returned for a touchdown by Alex Cook cemented the shutout.

Cincinnati Bengals 27, Chicago Bears 9

• Highlight: Veteran quarterback Josh Johnson sliced through the Chicago secondary, capping a clinical drive with a 6-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tanner Hudson.

New England Patriots 24, Philadelphia Eagles 21

• Highlight: In a back-and-forth battle, the New England secondary delivered a massive fourth-quarter stand to deny a late Philadelphia comeback.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16, Kansas City Chiefs 15

• Highlight: Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker made jaw-dropping league history right before halftime by nailing a monstrous 69-yard field goal.

Dallas Cowboys 34, Arizona Cardinals 13

• Highlight: The Dallas depth roster fired on all cylinders early, building a 24-6 halftime advantage to easily coast through the second half.

NFL Sunday Game Details:

Matchup: Seattle Seahawks at Tennessee Titans

• Kickoff Time: 8:00 PM ET
• TV Channel: Broadcasted nationally on FOX.
• Streaming Options: Available on platforms like NFL+, FuboTV, and YouTube TV.