Preview -- Chargers at Falcons, Georgia Dome

Falcons preseason record: 1-1 The Falcons return home to spend the last two weeks of the preseason playing on familiar turf. The first two games were bittersweet, with the first string offense looking anywhere from solid to unstoppable, and the first string defense playing good-to-solid football. That's what the first half of tonight's game will showcase against the visiting San Diego Chargers, which should amount to the first "real" test of the preseason. The Detroit Lions and the St. Louis Rams are working through a whole slew of question marks on both sides of the ball, where the Chargers come in with a mostly set team led by Phillip Rivers and Ladanian Tomlinson, and a defense headed by Shawne Merriman. This will also be Matt Ryan and company's first test against a 3-4 defense, so it will be interesting to see some different looks from offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey. What you will see: William Moore. Returning from a knee procedure and all but passed up for the starting safety spot opposite Erik Coleman, Moore will be anxious to impress the coaches and make an argument for the starting job, if not this season, next. First stringers everywhere. Mike Smith is planning to run his first string offense and defense at least all the way through the first half. Most defensive linemen. Brian VanGorder and Mike Smith have both shown a tendency to keep the D-line fresh, so expect at least 7 of the roster players to be in during the first half. Peria Jerry, Trey Lewis, Jamaal Anderson and Chauncey Davis are all still battling it out for starting positions, so VanGorder and Smitty will be keeping a close watch on things here. Most CB's. Chris Houston, who is coming off a minor injury will want to test out his game legs, but Brent Grimes, Chevis Jackson, Von Hutchins and Chris Owens will all want some time with the first string defense on the field. VanGorder and Smitty will also be looking closely at these guys. What to look for: Jason Snelling and Thomas Brown. These two might get some looks behind Ryan to give Michael Turner a breather, and some curiosity exists about how they will fare with the starting squad. A variety of passing formations. Mularkey will be interested in spreading out the Chargers defense, so 3-wide sets with Gonzalez in motion might be a common site tonight, leaving Turner or Jerious Norwood by themselves in the backfield. Additionally, Norwood or Ovie Mughelli might find themselves at the receiving end of a couple of Ryan passes. The score at halftime. That will be the first real measure of this Falcons squad facing off against first string opponents for more than just a couple of drives. The Chargers have a strong team, so if the Falcons are leading at the half, or keeping it close, then this team is the real deal. If they are destroying the Chargers...well, then....I get goosebumps just thinking about it. Game time: 8pm EST, Nationally televised on CBS, 92.9 DaveFM