Atlanta Falcons: Winners and Losers from Preseason Week 4

The Atlanta Falcons closed out their exhibition season on Thursday night, losing 24-14 to their ex-coordinator Mike Mularkey.

The game allowed for one final look at players trying to make the team, as many of Atlanta's starters sat out the game entirely, including quarterback Matt Ryan.

Playing in his stead was Dominique Davis, who led the Falcons to two touchdown drives.

On defense, Atlanta was dominated all night long from the point of attack through to the secondary, allowing 450 yards of total offense. 

Here's a look at some of the Falcons' biggest winners and losers from the game.

Winner: Dominique Davis

Dominique Davis' fantastic play against mostly third- and fourth-stringers through three preseason games left many believing he deserved a shot with the first team.

On Thursday night, he got that shot.

Davis took every snap for the Falcons, finishing the game 14-of-24 for 175 yards for a touchdown and two interceptions.

While not the impressive showing of his past few appearances, Davis nonetheless showed he could play with the big boys: He was calm and poised in the pocket, throwing the ball away when needed and standing tall in the pocket to pass even with a big hit coming.

Davis looked like a top-tier quarterback when he recognized a backside blitz by the Jaguars, aborting the designed play-action pass to hit Kevin Cone in stride, who would do the rest for a 49-yard touchdown.

He made some poor throws and missed a few reads, but those mistakes are to be expected from an undrafted rookie.

What isn't to be expected, however, is for the Falcons to release Davis after the great potential he's shown in preseason.

Loser: Dominique Franks

Cornerback Dominique Franks was expected to take the next step in his game this year.

Unfortunately, it would appear he actually took a step back.

The third-year pro finished the night with five tackles and one interception, but the game doesn't tell as favorable a story: Franks was targeted often in the first half, showing regressed cover skills after giving up quite a few plays. At one point he was thrown at on three consecutive plays, allowing a catch every time.

His interception, meanwhile, was more the result of being in the right place at the right time after it was tipped by a Jaguars receiver.

He didn't do much on special teams, either, after returning just one punt for four yards.

Dominique Franks looked to have the inside track to the final roster after the Falcons released Darrin Walls as part of the first mandatory cuts.

After Thursday night, however, he may be atop the list of players who won't make it past the second.

Winner: Kevin Cone

Kevin Cone didn't start the night the way he wanted to.

But he couldn't have finished it any better.

The wideout better known for his blocking ability that receiving skills provided the Falcons' most exciting play of the game after breaking tackles and out-running the Jaguars defense on his way to the end zone on a 49-yard catch and run in the third quarter.

That play made up for an earlier dropped ball that hit him square between the numbers. He finished with two catches for 64 yards.

He may have made few plays against the Jaguars, but after being locked in a tight battle all preseason long with fellow wideout Drew Davis for the final receiver spot, Cone's performance in this game may be the difference.

Loser: Charles Mitchell

According to the stats sheet, Charles Mitchell performed well against Jacksonville, recording four tackles and one forced fumble.

According to his play on the field, however, it wouldn't be much of a surprise to see him on the chopping block come final cuts.

The rookie sixth-round pick looked lost in coverage, notably getting burned deep by Laurent Robinson for what would've been a sure touchdown if not for a Blaine Gabbert overthrow in the first quarter. 

It didn't get any better as the game went on: Mitchell mistakenly knocked his own teammate out of a tackle while trying make the tackle himself, allowing the receiver to break free for a long touchdown in the second half.

As a rookie draft pick by a general manager known to be overly attached to his selections, Mitchell was originally believed to be one of the favorites to make the team.

Instead, he may now be on the outside looking in.

Winner: Peyton Thompson

Some may remember Peyton Thompson for giving up a long touchdown on Thursday night.

I'll remember him for everything else.

Thompson gave up a few passes but was right in the receivers' pocket on most of them, allowing few yards after the catch.

He proved to be a force in run support as well, making two key stops on the ball-carrier for a two-yard and one-yard gain, respectively.

On special teams, Thompson make two solid tackles on the punt team to stop the returner dead in his tracks.

His best play, however, involved his hands and awareness: on a third-quarter punt, Thompson was able to race down the field to down the ball at the Dolphins 1-yard line.

While his performance might not be enough to guarantee him a spot on the 53-man roster, a spot on the practice squad isn't out of the question.

Losers: Backup Defensive Line, Linebackers

It was a long night for the Falcons reserves along the defensive line and at the linebacker position.

Aside from a few impact plays from a select few, the front-end of Atlanta's defense was gashed early and often by Jacksonville's running attack, giving up 225 yards on the ground.

It didn't seem to matter who the Jaguars put in at running back, the results were often the same: consistently long gains through gaping holes and missed tackles. 

The Falcons weren't much better in the passing game, giving up 225 yards through the air. While much of that came at the expense of the secondary, Atlanta's linebacking corps experienced great difficulty in coverage, giving up catch after catch. It didn't help that Jacksonville's quarterbacks stayed upright all night long.

As it stands, the Falcons could be in big trouble if injury forces reserves from these two units to play extensively when the regular season kicks off next week.