Preseason Week 3 Recap

All the NFL pundits claim that the third week of preseason is the most telling week and, for the most part, the only preseason game that really matters. If you're a Falcons fan you're hoping that this game was an anomaly compared to the performances in the last two preseason games.

In the first quarter, Desmond Truant got back on track after giving up the 50-yard touchdown to Terrell Pryor getting an interception off a tipped pass by the Dolphins on the opening drive. Also getting on track was first round pick Keanu Neal collecting two tackles and getting physical with the opposition.

After the turnover the Falcons looked to be carrying some of the offensive momentum from last week after Matt Ryan connected with Julio Jones for a 17-yard reception over the middle. But after a failed target to Julio Jones on 3rd down, the first drive ended abruptly.

Keanu Neal continued to get physical with the opposition, sniffing out the Dolphins first play from scrimmage for a 4-yard loss as well as getting his nose to the ball for a couple more tackles. The defense forced the Dolphins to a punt after getting some help from a penalty on Miami. On the next defensive series, it was a scary moment for the rookie as his knee buckled in the open field trying to tackle Arian Foster.After that play, the defense was unable to contain the Dolphins offense as Arian Foster played like it was 2012, ultimately scoring the touchdown.

After the Falcons took the kickoff, it was another scary injury moment for the Falcons that defined the drive. Julio Jones looked to have rolled his ankle when a Dolphins defender got in the way of Jones' route and tripped him up. After that play Jones would not return for another snap - the Falcons know what they're going to get out of Julio, no need to make the injury worse or risk another one. The drive would continue with a very familiar result from last season - Matt Ryan threw an interception in the red zone intended for Jacob Tamme over the middle at the goal line after he was knocked off his route.

Before the half ended, the Birds managed to put a field goal on the board and put an end to the Dolphins 2-minute drill, even rushing the kicker into shanking his field goal attempt.

When the Falcons established the line of scrimmage against the Browns early on in Week 2 they did it by establishing the run to open the pass. Last night however, the Falcons seemed to have ditched that gameplay or try something different by throwing more often, but it looked a lot like the offense from last year (especially the redone turnover).

While reminiscing on the struggles of 2015, stop me if this sounds familiar - on the opening drive of the second half, TE Austin Hooper fumbled after a 15-yard gain. After taking possession of the pigskin, the Dolphins marched down the field to an easy score, extending the lead to 17-3 - which would end up the final score.

The Dolphins decisively handled the Falcons on Thursday night in Orlando. At no point in the night did the Falcons have control of the momentum in this game like they did for the majority of the first two preseason games.

Quick hits:

Vic Beasley looked soft - he was tossed around and wasn't able to gain any yards on the pass rush. Let's just hope this is an adjustment period to his new position and not a sign of things to come out of the former 8th overall draft pick.

Keanu Neal looked like the physical Kam Chancellor-type-safety before he left with a knee injury - he had a nose for the football and attacked the line of scrimmage. His coverage skills can still use some work, but he attacked the line of scrimmage and sniffed out the ball carriers. Let's hope the knee injury will be healed in two weeks time.

The Falcons are 'Fast & Physical' up the middle - rookie linebackers Deion Jones and De'Vondre Campbell look to be the players the Falcons have needed to anchor the linebacking core. They both run downhill at good angles and show signs of becoming quality draft picks through the first three weeks.

Injuries:

Keanu Neal left the game in the 1st Quarter after slightly buckling his knee in the open field chasing Arian Foster. NBC sideline reporter Michelle Tafoya said the injury was not severe - so it sounds like it was a mild sprain.

Julio Jones rolled his ankle on a defender that got in the way of his route on a deep ball. Had it been a real game, he would have returned. But it's the preseason and we know what he's capable of so there's no point in risking further injury.

Adrian Claiborne left the game with a shoulder injury and didn't return, not much detail was given by Michelle Tafoya on the sideline.