Brooks scores on interception return as Ward has mixed results in Titans' 23-20 win over Falcons

ATLANTA (AP) — Kendell Brooks scored on a 53-yard interception return and rookie quarterback Cameron Ward had mixed results as the Tennessee Titans beat the Atlanta Falcons 23-20 in a preseason game Friday night.

Joey Slye's 23-yard field goal with 9:03 remaining gave Tennessee (1-1) the lead.

Falcons backup quarterback Emory Jones was stopped on a fourth-down run near the Tennessee 20 with 2:57 remaining. Jones was shaken up on the hit by linebacker Amari Burney and cornerback Jemari Harris. Jones walked off the field with assistance.

Ward played three series and completed 2 of 7 passes for 42 yards. Ward's highlight was a 35-yard completion to Elic Ayomanor on the Titans' opening series. Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in this year's NFL draft, had another long pass dropped by Van Jefferson.

“I'm very encouraged,” Titans coach Brian Callahan said about Ward's performance. “That ball that was dropped was an incredible throw. ... He's shown all the things we need to see from an operations standpoint.”

Callahan hinted during the week Ward would play two series but said he added the third series because the play count was still low.

Ward said the extra snaps were “real good for me ... game-time reps instead of practice.”

The teams traded third-quarter touchdowns. Jemar Jefferson's 16-yard scoring run, which capped a 13-play drive, gave the Titans a 20-13 lead. Easton Stick, who played the first three quarters for Atlanta, threw a 52-yard scoring pass to Chris Blair to tie the game.

Brandon Allen, who played behind Ward, threw a 25-yard scoring pass to tight end Gunnar Helm late in the first half.

Nathan Carter produced the Falcons' first touchdown with a 43-yard run in the third quarter. Younghoe Koo kicked field goals of 42 and 36 yards for Atlanta (0-2).

Among the Titans held out on offense were RB Tony Pollard, WRs Calvin Ridley and Tyler Lockett, RG Kevin Zeitler. Center Lloyd Cushenberry, who passed his physical Monday as he continues his return from an Achilles tendon injury, participated in pregame drills but did not play.

Atlanta's top two quarterbacks, starter Michael Penix Jr. and backup Kirk Cousins, sat out for the second straight preseason game after receiving the bulk of the snaps in team drills in two joint practices against the Titans this week. RB Bijan Robinson and WRs Drake London and Ray-Ray McCloud also were spectators.

Falcons rookie edge rusher Jalon Walker was held out after playing last week in a 17-10 loss to Detroit.

Falcons coach Raheem Morris said Walker “tweaked a groin” late in Wednesday's practice with the Titans. “We look forward to getting him back next week,” Morris said.

The game completed a string of nine nights away from home for the Titans, who had a joint practice at Tampa Bay last week before their 29-7 loss to the Buccaneers.

“I think we accomplished a lot of connectivity, guys handing around together,” Ward said. “... We showed tonight we can overcome adversity.”

Trevor Siemian, who was signed Monday, took over at quarterback for Tennessee in the fourth quarter and led the drive capped by Slye's go-ahead field goal.

Siemian spent much of 2024 on the Titans’ practice squad. He replaced Tim Boyle, who was released after completing only 4 of 13 passes for 24 yards with two interceptions against the Buccaneers.

Stick, competing for Atlanta’s No. 3 quarterback job, completed 15 of 25 passes for 145 yards with one touchdown and the one interception returned for a touchdown by Brooks. Allen completed 11 of 14 passes for 119 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Titans: Following two road games, the Titans host Minnesota next Friday night.

Falcons: Visit Dallas next Friday night in their third preseason game.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Tennessee Titans quarterback Cameron Ward (1) looks to throw a pass during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Cameron Ward (1) throws a pass during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Chris Blair (19) makes a catch during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Tennessee Titans defensive back Kendell Brooks (33) celebrates as he returns an interception for a touchdown during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Cameron Ward (1) looks to throw a pass during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A surprise 38-yard touchdown pass from Taysom Hill to Chris Olave might have deprived New Orleans Saints kicker Charlie Smyth a chance to set a club record in just his fourth career game.

When Smyth, an American football neophyte from Northern Ireland, realized the significance of the play in what might wind up being Hill's last home game in a Saints uniform, he was “super pumped up” for Hill.

Chris Olave caught touchdown passes from Hill and starter Tyler Shough, Smyth tied a Saints record with five field goals and New Orleans extended its winning streak to three with a 29-6 victory over the reeling New York Jets on Sunday.

“I don't know what the future holds for me, but it was a special day for me and my family,” Hill, choking up briefly and crediting coach Kellen Moore with making "a concerted effort to give me more opportunities, given the circumstances.”

The 35-year-old Hill, who entered the NFL as a quarterback and became a dynamic, all-around offensive and special teams player. He finished with 116 total yards with 42 rushing, 36 receiving and his scoring pass in fourth quarter.

Cameron Jordan had two sacks for New Orleans (5-10), giving him 130 for his career and moving the 15th-year defensive end two ahead of Hall of Famer Rickey Jackson for 17th most in NFL history. Jordan, now with a team-high 8 1/2 sacks this season, has had at least eight sacks in nine seasons.

Jordan, who does not have a contract for next season, but also does not plan to retire, said he also had more than two dozen relatives and close family friends in the stands. Many had large cutouts of Jordan's head.

“We're going to hit the streets tonight,” Jordan said. “I've never seen myself not being in black and gold. ... I've always wanted to be here unless you don't want me.”

Shough, drafted 40th overall last spring, passed for 308 yards to eclipse 300 for the first time while improving to 4-3 as a starter.

“We're super proud of what we're putting together,” Shough said. “The season hasn't gone exactly as we wanted it to, but we kind of stayed resilient through that.”

Undrafted rookie Brady Cook made his second start with the Jets (3-12), who've lost three straight and five of six. But coach Aaron Glenn indicated the Jets intend to continue playing Cook to get a more complete evaluation of his potential.

“He gives us the best chance to win,” Glenn said. “He wouldn’t be in there if we didn’t believe that.”

Cook was sacked eight times, and figured he probably deserved some blame for that for not throwing early enough.

“It’s hard to tell exactly what’s going on in the moment, but at the end of the day I need to get the ball out,” Cook said.

Cook lost a fumble when ex-Jet Nathan Shepherd flattened him and defensive end Chase Young recovered, leading to Smyth's 50-yard field goal. Cook also was intercepted by rookie safety Jonas Sanker on a fourth-down play in the fourth quarter, leading to Smyth's final field goal from 39 yards.

He finished 22 of 35 for 188 yards, after which he said he was “extremely disappointed.”

“We came here prepared, ready to win this game, and we didn’t do it,” Cook said. “All we can do now is go back to work. We have two games left, and we need to play for each other and fight for each other and find a way to get a win.”

Both teams struggled to sustain drives in the first half, but did get within field goal range a handful of times.

Jets kicker Nick Folk was good from 29 and 36 yards.

Smyth hit from 35, 49 and 36 yards to give the Saints a 9-6 lead. The third field goal was set up by a fake punt in which Hill, the upback, took the snap and gained 2 yards on fourth and 1.

Smyth also attempted a 61-yarder as time ran out in the first half, but pulled it wide left.

The Jets set an NFL record by going without an interception for their 15th consecutive game.

Jets: DL Jay Tufele injured his foot in the first half.

Saints: TE Foster Moreau came up limping after hurting his ankle during a third-quarter reception and went to the locker room after being examined on the sideline. ... DT Bryan Bresee hurt his knee in the third quarter, but was able to walk gingerly off the field without assistance before heading to the locker room.

Jets: Host the New England Patriots next Sunday.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill (7) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

New Orleans Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor (1) sacks New York Jets quarterback Brady Cook during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

From left, New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan, outside linebacker Demario Davis and cornerback Alontae Taylor (1) celebrate after a sack during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough makes a call during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Ella Hall)

New Orleans Saints kicker Charlie Smyth (39) kicks a field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave, left, celebrates with quarterback Tyler Shough (6) after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Ella Hall)