Jack Strand provides bright spot amid grim Falcons QB outlook

The Falcons gained over 60 yards on two other drives with Strand at quarterback, both ending inside the Colts' 10-yard line, including the last in victory formation.

Overall, Strand was 12-of-17 for 212 yards (12.5 yards per attempt) and a touchdown.

Despite the eye-opening numbers, it would be a shock if it has much bearing on the quarterback competition heading into Week 1 of the regular season. As a raw D-II prospect out of Minnesota State-Moorhead, Strand should have no business starting so early in his career.

But if Stefanski bases his decision on who deserves the job the most, Strand would win in a landslide. With Penix unavailable for the start of camp, Tagovailoa has been unable to take command of the QB1 role, instead offering reminders of why the Miami Dolphins were willing to accept his record $99.2M dead cap charge.

He sat on Saturday but did participate in joint practices during the week and struggled to handle defensive pressure and was out-dueled by Colts quarterback Daniel Jones.

Strand's performance on Saturday was the best by a Falcons quarterback during training camp or the preseason. He still has a long way to go, but based on Atlanta's quarterback situation, there may come a time during the regular season when it has nothing to lose by giving him a closer inspection.