(Friday, August 17th)
Final Score: Atlanta 13, Buffalo 10
Orchard Park, NY - Rookie tight end George Cooper caught a one-yard touchdown pass from Chris Redman late in the fourth quarter to give the Atlanta Falcons a 13-10 victory over the Buffalo Bills in preseason action at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
Joey Harrington started at quarterback for Atlanta in place of Michael Vick and completed 4-of-7 passes for 31 yards with an interception in limited action.
As the Falcons look to distance themselves further from the Vick situation, the drama surrounding the case continued Friday. Vick’s two remaining co- defendants pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy dogfighting charges Friday, leaving the signal caller as the lone co-defendant still maintaining his innocence. Whether Vick continues that stance, with the possibility of all three co-defendants testifying against him in court, or accepts a plea deal and likely jail time, remains to be seen.
Redman ended 11-of-21 for 90 yards with an interception while third-string quarterback D.J. Shockley left the game in the fourth quarter with a left leg injury.
J.P. Losman played into the second quarter for Buffalo and went 7-of-13 for 78 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Rookie Trent Edwards replaced Losman and was effective, throwing for 101 yards and a touchdown.
Rookie Marshawn Lynch, who is expected to get the bulk of the carries this season for Buffalo, rushed for 16 yards on five attempts.
After a scoreless opening quarter, the Bills struck first as Rian Lindell booted a 48-yard field goal for the game’s first points with 11:30 left in the second stanza.
Billy Cundiff’s 32-yard field goal with 5:31 to play until halftime tied the game at 3-3, and the Falcons moved in front about three minutes later as Cundiff drilled a 46-yarder.
The Bills grabbed a 10-6 lead early in the third quarter as Edwards completed a 10-yard touchdown pass to Roscoe Parrish.
With just 2:44 remaining in the contest, Redman found Cooper in the end zone to put the Falcons in front.
