Jack Strand scores TD as Falcons fall in preseason debut
Jack Strand, the undrafted Atlanta Falcons rookie and former Minnesota State Moorhead quarterback, scored a 1-yard touchdown in his NFL preseason debut Friday as Atlanta fell 27-7 to the Denver Broncos. Strand completed 6 of 12 passes for 50 yards after entering in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Bloomer, Wisconsin, native made his first NFL appearance in a game fans could follow through streaming and TV alerts, with official highlights also available on NFL.com.
Key Takeaways
- Jack Strand scored on a 1-yard dive in the third quarter, cutting Denver's lead to 24-7.
- The undrafted MSUM product went 6 of 12 for 50 yards, took one sack, and finished with a 61.1 passer rating.
- Atlanta managed only 11 first downs and 192 total yards in the 27-7 home loss at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
- Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski said Strand showed "really good stuff" alongside rookie mistakes to clean up.
- NFL highlights include Strand's 19-yard completion to wide receiver Chris Blair.
How did Jack Strand perform in his NFL debut?
Strand entered after halftime and handled the rest of Atlanta's snaps in the preseason opener. He completed half of his throws for 50 yards and was sacked once, posting a 61.1 rating in limited action.
His touchdown came on a 1-yard dive in the third quarter. That score provided the Falcons' only points of the night and briefly made it a 24-7 game before Denver closed out the win.
According to InForum, the night was still a promising first look for the former Minnesota State Moorhead starter who went undrafted into the NFL.
Who else played quarterback for Atlanta against Denver?
Tua Tagovailoa opened the game and played the first two drives, completing 3 of 5 passes for 22 yards with a 70.4 rating. Newly signed veteran Cooper Rush then handled most of the first half.
Rush finished 7 of 19 for 62 yards with two interceptions and a 6.8 rating. Injured starter Michael Penix Jr. is still waiting to be cleared for action, leaving the Falcons' depth chart unsettled as preseason continues.
That backdrop is part of why Jack Strand's debut drew attention beyond the box score. Fans looking for more Falcons clip updates can check our Streaming & TV Alerts hub for where highlights and game windows surface.
What did Falcons coaches and Strand say afterward?
"Played like a rookie where there is some really good stuff and there is some stuff we will clean up, but that's the great thing about Jack," Stefanski said after the game. He called Strand intelligent, coachable, and a young man who is ascending.
Strand said the jump from Division II to the NFL is real in speed and size, but the game itself felt familiar. "I guess it's a little different playing in an NFL stadium compared to a Division II stadium, but it's the same game that I've been playing since I was 6 years old," he told reporters in the locker room.
He also credited veterans for helping with footwork, reads, and mechanics during camp. Penix and Tagovailoa even tracked down the touchdown ball and presented it to him on the sideline, a moment that circulated widely after the loss.
Where can fans watch more Jack Strand highlights?
Official NFL video packages already feature Strand's throws, including a 19-yard pass to Chris Blair. Preseason coverage and highlight streams remain the easiest way to track his next looks, with more second-half work expected in Atlanta's remaining exhibition games.
For local fans who followed Strand at MSUM, the debut capped a rare small-school path: a four-year Dragons starter who stayed put, signed as an undrafted free agent, and scored in his first NFL appearance.