Tennessee Titans vs Atlanta Falcons

The preseason matchup on Friday, August 15, 2025, between the Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium offered fans a rollercoaster of momentum swings, with the Titans ultimately prevailing 23–20. Right from the opening quarter, the intensity was evident as Kendell Brooks intercepted a pass and returned it 53 yards for a touchdown, giving Tennessee an early spark that shifted the tone of the night. Atlanta responded with a composed drive capped by Younghoe Koo’s reliable field goal, reminding everyone that the Falcons weren’t backing down easily.

Tennessee’s offense found another highlight when Brandon Allen linked up with rookie tight end Gunnar Helm on a 25-yard score. Helm showcased his strength by powering through defenders to secure the touchdown, a moment that drew plenty of attention to the rookie’s potential role in the season ahead. But the Falcons quickly regrouped, as running back Nathan Carter broke loose for a 43-yard touchdown run, bringing the home crowd to life. With another field goal from Koo, Atlanta briefly claimed control before Tennessee’s Jermar Jefferson answered with a rushing touchdown of his own.

The back-and-forth third quarter became the heart of the contest, capped dramatically when Easton Stick connected with Chris Blair on a stunning 52-yard touchdown strike to level the score at 20-20. Both sidelines were buzzing, rookies and veterans alike fighting for roster spots while fans were treated to high-energy football. The game had the feeling of a regular-season clash, even though it was technically a tune-up.

In the final quarter, with the game still balanced, Joey Slye stepped up for Tennessee and calmly drilled a 23-yard field goal with just over nine minutes left. That would prove to be the difference, as the Titans’ defense held firm down the stretch to deny Atlanta a comeback. The closing moments highlighted Tennessee’s growing defensive resilience, as they forced the Falcons to punt and never allowed another serious scoring threat.

Beyond the scoreboard, much of the focus turned to rookie quarterback Cam Ward. Though his stat line read just 2-of-7 for 42 yards, he flashed potential with a deep ball to Van Jefferson that should have been a highlight but slipped through the receiver’s hands. Coaches praised his command and competitiveness, signaling belief in his long-term upside. Meanwhile, Brandon Allen’s steady play and Helm’s breakthrough catch stood out as positives for Tennessee. For the Falcons, Carter’s explosiveness and Blair’s big-play ability gave their fans optimism, even in defeat. The Titans walked away with the win, but both teams left with encouraging glimpses of the future.