ATLANTA (AP) - Even in the preseason, Matt Ryan gets miffed about a poor showing.
He had nothing to complain about Friday.
Ryan guided the Atlanta Falcons right down the field for a touchdown on their first possession, hooking up with Austin Hooper on a 4-yard scoring pass , and led another impressive drive before calling it a night in a 28-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Ryan finished 5 of 7 for 90 yards, looking very much like the quarterback who won the MVP during the 2016 season even though receiver Julio Jones and running back Devonta Freeman didn’t play for the second week in a row.
It was certainly an encouraging contrast to the preseason opener, when the Falcons (0-2) were blanked 17-0 by the New York Jets and Ryan played only one brief, dismal series .
“He wants to attack,” coach Dan Quinn said. “That’s what I saw tonight.”
With a resting Jones watching from the sideline, Calvin Ridley got a chance to shine for the Falcons. The first-round pick from Alabama hauled in the first touchdown of his professional career on a 7-yard pass from backup quarterback Matt Schaub .
Ridley finished with three receptions for 49 yards.
“It felt good making some catches and getting that first touchdown out of the way,” he said. “I’m ready to get some more.”
Kansas City’s new starting quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, had an up-and-down game but delivered one tantalizing pass.
Alex Smith’s replacement was intercepted on a deep throw by Falcons safety Damontae Kazee , who drifted over from the middle of the field to pick a ball intended for Sammy Watkins. Mahomes caught a break when another ill-advised throw into the end zone was dropped by Falcons cornerback Blidi Wren-Wilson, allowing the Chiefs to salvage a field goal.
But, with just 17 seconds left in the first half, Mahomes made the most of his final pass. Three Atlanta defensive backs inexplicably allowed Tyreek Hill to get behind them, and Mahomes delivered the pass in stride for a 69-yard touchdown .
The throw actually traveled 70 yards in the air - ample evidence of Mahomes’ enormous potential .
“I don’t think I’ve ever thrown one that far in a game,” said Mahomes, who finished 8 of 12 for 138 yards. “I don’t know many people that would be able to catch that ball going that far in a game. I told (Hill) if I had thrown a spiral, he wouldn’t have been able to get to it. He disagreed with that.”
Chad Henne took over for at quarterback to begin the second half. He connected with Gehrig Dieter on a 27-yard touchdown that put the Chiefs (1-1) ahead for the first time, capping a 10-play, 76-yard drive.
Ben Niemann finished off the scoring with a 26-yard interception return for a touchdown after picking off a horrible throw by Atlanta’s third-string quarterback, undrafted rookie Kurt Benkert.
“He overthrew it and gave me a gift,” said Niemann, also an undrafted rookie.
While many Atlanta fans were still backed up in security lines outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Ryan began his impressive showing by converting on third-and-11 with a 29-yard pass to Hooper.
“Classic Matt,” Quinn said. “He buys some times, moves around in the pocket and rips one.”
Tevin Coleman, the other half of the Falcons’ dynamic 1-2 punch at running back, broke off a pair of 15-yard runs before Ryan rolled to his left and hit Hooper on the short scoring pass. The tight end showed impressive athleticism, hurtling into the end zone over cornerback Steven Nelson .
After the Chiefs went three-and-out, Ryan guided the Falcons deep into Kansas City territory once again. The big play was a 36-yard completion to Ridley , who beat David Amerson to haul in the pass.
On fourth-and-2 at the Chiefs 20, the Falcons passed on a field goal attempt, which was essentially irrelevant since 43-year-old kicker Matt Bryant skipped his second straight preseason game. Ryan’s pass for Ridley was broken up by Kendall Fuller, halting a seven-play, 69-yard drive.
INJURY REPORT
Nelson was kneed in the head by Hooper on Atlanta’s first touchdown and staggered off the field. He was evaluated for a possible concussion.
Another Kansas City player, linebacker Terrance Smith, sustained an ankle injury.
The Chiefs also were missing star safety Eric Berry, who didn’t dress while he continues to nurse a sore heel.
SARK ON THE FIELD
For the second week in a row, Falcons offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian called plays from the field.
That’s where Sarkisian prefers to be, but Quinn ordered him upstairs last season. Now, with Greg Knapp - a longtime offensive coordinator who was hired as Atlanta’s quarterback coach - working from the press box and passing along what he sees to Sarkisian, it seems everyone has found an arrangement to their liking.
“Right now, I’m comfortable with the way he’s seeing it and calling plays,” Quinn said.
ANTHEM UPDATE
There were no apparent protests during the national anthem.
UP NEXT
Chiefs: Hit the road again to face the Chicago Bears on Aug. 25.
Falcons: Travel to Jacksonville that same day to face the Jaguars in a matchup between 2017 playoff teams.
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Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963 . His work can be found at https://apnews.com/search/paul%20newberry
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