NFL Football is finally back and being played in Atlanta. Well, sort of. After the hype of training camp, we finally got to see the Falcons face off against another team when the Detroit Lions came to town for an exhibition.

We did not see the majority of starters suit up, and while preseason takes need to always be taken with a bit of a grain of salt, there were a number of players who took the field for the Falcons who are expected to be real contributors this season (at least on the defensive side of the ball).

This time of year may represent the final appetizers provided for NFL fans as we patiently wait for the main course to hit the table in September, but it is the main event for some on the roster bubble who are jousting for their spot on the 53 man, or who are trying to showcase themselves for a chance elsewhere.

Let’s take a look at some winners and losers from Atlanta’s first preseason game against the Lions.

Winners

The defensive line

While presumed veteran starters David Onyemata and Leonard Floyd did not suit up, it felt like the majority of players expected to be real rotational players along this unit were sent out for live game reps, including first round picks James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker, as well as former second rounders Ruke Orhorhoro and Arnold Ebikete.

Facing the Lions’ backups, the hope was to see dominance from the line and that was delivered. Ebikete, Brandon Dorlus and Khalid Kareem (all of whom have gotten some rotation in with the first team defense during training camp just about every day) secured sacks, while inside linebacker Josh Woods and defense tackle Ta’Quon Graham had additional tackles for loss.

Dorlus, Ebikete and Woods each forced a fumble while Dorlus was right in the middle of a separate play which resulted in an early takeaway as well. James Pearce faced double teams and extra chips all game, resulting in a quieter night but a lack of attention for his teammates while Ruke got real push up the middle plenty of times.

Easton Stick and his top targets

With Michael Penix Jr. and Kirk Cousins on ice, former Los Angeles Chargers backup Easton Stick saw the majority of action and he looked surgical at times.

Stick went an overall 15/18 for 149 passing yards, one touchdown, no interceptions and a 119.7 passer rating as he made the most of an opportunity surrounded by others on the offense who are looking to showcase themselves for a possible roster spot.

One such player was his favorite target, Dylan Drummond, who had not made much noise in camp up to this point, but was loud as hell on this night. Drummond caught eight of Stick’s 15 completions for a team-high 53 yards and was targeted relentlessly, hauling in a catch every time Stick looked his way.

Chris Blair, meanwhile, made a heck of...