Jim Wyatt
ATLANTACam Ward's second night out wasn't as productive as his first.
But the Titans rookie quarterback also found himself playing without a number of the team's starters in the second preseason game, which the Titans won 23-20 over the Falcons here at Mercedez Benz Stadium.
Ward played three series on Friday night, and he completed 2-of-7 passes for 42 yards before being replaced by back-up Brandon Allen in the second quarter.
Ward's first throw of the night was a strike to receiver Elic Ayomanor for 35 yards. His second throw was a beauty downfield to Van Jefferson, who wasn't able to bring it in. But the Titans first-team offense, playing without receivers Calvin Ridley and Tyler Lockett, running back Tony Pollard, and guard Kevin Zeitler, couldn't get into rhythm here on this night before back-ups took over.
Ward completed 5-of-8 passes for 67 yards while directing a touchdown-scoring drive in the team's season opener against the Buccaneers.
Friday night's game capped off a 10-day road trip, when the Titans practiced and played preseason games on the road against the Buccaneers and Falcons.
The Titans made a big play early on defense.
The Titans took a 6-0 lead in the first quarter on a pick-6 from cornerback Kendell Brooks, who stepped in front of an Easton Stick throw and returned it 53 yards for a touchdown.
After Allen was intercepted in the second quarter, the Falcons cut the lead to 6-3 on a 42-yard field goal by kicker Younghoe Koo.
Rookie tight end Gunnar Helm made one of the best plays of the night when he fought off two Falcons defenders while making a 25-yard touchdown catch on a ball thrown by Allen.
The catch gave the Titans a spark, and a 13-3 lead at the half.
The Falcons cut the lead to 13-10 in the third quarter on a 43-yard touchdown run by Nathan Carter.
Then, after a fumble by T.J. Sheffield on the ensuing kickoff, the Falcons cashed the turnover in for another field goal to make it 13-13 in the third quarter.
Titans running back Jermar Jefferson then busted loose for a 16-yard touchdown run with 2:35 left in the third quarter to give Tennessee a 20-13 lead.
But the Falcons answered back on a 52-yard touchdown pass from Stick to Chris Blair to make it 20-20 with 34 seconds left in the third quarter.
Titans kicker Joey Slye then made a 23-yard field goal to make it 23-20 with 9:03 left in the contest.
The Titans stopped a pair of late Falcons drives to preserve the win.
The Titans return to action for preseason game No.3 next Friday night at Nissan Stadium.
