Kirk Cousins completed all five of his pass attempts in the Redskins' preseason opener, while the defense forced Matt Ryan and Co. into back-to-back three and outs.
The Washington Redskins started the 2016 preseason schedule with the offense getting their first drive going from their own 13-yard line.
OFFENSE'S FIRST DRIVE
The Redskins' first offensive play was a Kirk Cousins' rollout completion to Ryan Grant, who took it out the 24-yard line for a first down.
Check out images of the Washington Redskins warming up on the field prior to their 2016 preseason opener against the Falcons Aug. 11, 2016, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
On the next play, Matt Jones – who had Niles Paul in front of him at the fullback position – lost three yards before Cousins found Grant yet again, this time for a nine-yard gain.
Cousins remained perfect on the drive on a 3rd-and-4 play, connecting on a short gain with Pierre Garçon for a new set of downs.
After Morgan Moses was called for a holding penalty on first down, Jones gained four yards before being upended by Atlanta linebacker Sean Weatherspoon.
Cousins would find DeSean Jackson on 2nd-and-16 for a six-yard gain, before the Michigan State product located running back Chris Thompson, but he was just short of the first down marker.
Key Stats/Notes From Drive
--Kirk Cousins: 5-for-5 for 39 yards
--Ryan Grant: 2 receptions, 20 yards
--Spencer Long started at left guard, while Ty Nsekhe was in for Trent Williams who did not dress for the game.
After a 54-yard punt by Tress way and a block in the back call on the Falcons, the Redskins defense came out for their first appearance with the Falcons pinned inside the one-yard line.
DEFENSE'S FIRST DRIVEAs they often do, Atlanta tried to find All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones on their first play of the drive, however, Matt Ryan's pass hit the turf before Jones could haul it in.
On second down, Preston Smith sized up running back Devonte Freeman, who gained just four yards. Ryan would go back to the air on third down, but his pass sailed out of bounds (Dashaun Phillips jumped up in an attempt to swat the ball, but it was far over his head).
Key States/Notes From Drive
--Atlanta gained just four yards on one run before going three and out
SECOND OFFENSIVE DRIVECousins' day is done after a fairly productive first drive, as Colt McCoy has come into the game at quarterback. The first-team offensive line, however, remains on the field.
Starting at the Falcons' 41-yard line, Keith Marshall's first carry of the preseason was stopped in the backfield, losing one yard.
McCoy's first pass was incomplete, hitting the ground before a diving Paul could secure the catch. However, on his next pass, McCoy found the speedy Rashad Ross for a 19-yard gain.
McCoy had scoring aspirations on a 2nd-and-10 play from the 23-yard line, but the ball slipped through tight end Vernon Davis' hands in the corner of the end zone.
The offense couldn't strike on third down, either, as another McCoy pass hit the turf before being completed.
Kicker Dustin Hopkins put the Redskins on the scoreboard first, though, with a successful 41-yard field goal conversion.
Key Stats/Notes From Drive
--Colt McCoy: 1-for-4 for 19 yards
--Keith Marshall: 2 carries for -1 yard.
After Hopkins' first kickoff of the game went out of the back of the end zone, the Falcons started their second drive from their own 25-yard line.
SECOND DEFENSIVE DRIVEJosh Norman and Ryan Kerrigan weren't in to start the drive, being replaced by Quinton Dunbar and Trent Murphy respectively.
On first down, Coleman tried to take it to his left side, but inside linebacker Will Compton came up to stop him for a one-yard loss.
The Falcons tried to test Dunbar downfield on the next play, but the second-year cornerback broke up a pass intended for Mohamed Sanu.
The drive ended on third down yet again, as Compton laid out Aldrick Robinson before he could haul in the catch.
Key States/Notes From Drive--The Redskins forced the Falcons backwards, as they lost one yard on three plays
