More on Gunnar Helm

New York Times

18 hours ago

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That score late in the first half was not the first touchdown catch that Gunnar Helm has made in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The rookie Titans tight end scored what wound up being the game-winning touchdown in overtime of Texas' instant-classic Peach Bowl win over Arizona State on New Year's Day. The victory sent the Longhorns to the Cotton Bowl, where they lost to eventual national champion Ohio State. Imagn Images
Halftime - Titans 13, Falcons 3
That will do it for the first half in Atlanta with the Falcons trailing by 10 points.
Neither offense impressed until Brandon Allen's touchdown pass late in the first half.
Cam Ward was just 2-for-7 passing for 42 yards in the first half. Easton Stick was not impressive either, completing 12-of-19 passes for just 78 yards and an interception.
That's a defensive drive that Falcons coach Raheem Morris is going to be very upset at. Atlanta had only given up just six points and effectively stymied the Titans' offense for most of the first half.
Credit Brandon Allen for managing the Titans' two-minute offense. But a 7-yard pass on third-and-2 gave the Titans a first down and life. Then, an 11-yard pass to James Proche. The Falcons' defense just can't give these Titans receivers that much space.
It culminates in a brilliant 25-yard pass and catch from Allen to Gunnar Helm, who jumped up in between Falcons defenders in the end zone to secure the touchdown. Now, it's a 10-point game with Atlanta going to be chasing on offense.
Q2 0:38 - Titans 13, Falcons 3
What a throw and catch for Tennessee!
Brandon Allen fires a strike to tight end Gunnar Helm down the seam for a 25-yard score. The tight end was double covered but Allen placed the pass toward his back shoulder and Helm went up to get it over both Falcons defenders.
The extra point by Slye is good.
If there's a positive for the Titans offense tonight, it's wide receiver Elic Ayomanor. The 22-year-old Canadian from Medicine Hat, Alberta, has two catches for 47 yards. His longest catch of the night was 35 yards off a pass from Cam Ward in the first quarter.
The Titans will hope to get more positive yardage from their receivers in the second half.
Q2 1:21 - Titans 6, Falcons 3
On third-and-2, Allen checks it down to Julius Chestnut for a gain of 7 yards to move the sticks.
Q2 2:30 - Titans 6, Falcons 3
Another terrible drive by the Falcons still ends in points because of the excellent field position after the interception.
Younghoe Koo boots through a 42-yard field goal to cut Atlanta's deficit in half.
Natrone Brooks of the Falcons went undrafted in 2023. He's trying to earn his spot on Atlanta after appearing in nine games in 2024. The 25-year-old cornerback tallied one tackle and one QB hit last season.
Tonight, Brooks gets Atlanta's first takeaway, running back 33 yards. A nice job sneaking underneath the route of the Titans receiver to secure the interception.
At least there's no quarterback controversy in Tennessee, either...
Q2 5:32 - Titans 6, Falcons 0
Brandon Allen steps up in the pocket and unleashes a throw directly to Falcons corner Natrone Brooks. The Titans finally got a first down but immediately gave the ball away.
Easton Stick and company will look to capitalize on the field position. Getty Images
What's the biggest difference for Michael Penix Jr. now heading into his second NFL season compared to the awkward situation he found himself in when he was a rookie? He didn't hesitate when asked that by the Falcons' broadcast.
💬 'Honestly, a lot of confidence. Especially having an offseason with the guys, being able to have those reps that I wasn't able to have last year, it brings a lot of confidence. I'm ready to go.'
Obviously, most of the quarterback focus in this game is on Cam Ward. But Easton Stick's struggles are worth monitoring, too. As the Falcons broadcast pointed out, Stick could essentially be battling to be the Falcons' backup quarterback soon — if and when an injury elsewhere opens up a potential trade avenue for Kirk Cousins.
It's no secret that the battle for the fifth and sixth receivers for the Atlanta Falcons will be contested. At least four to five receivers are fighting for two spots.
On this latest drive, Chris Blair had an Easton Stick pass placed perfectly within his grasp. But Blair couldn't corral the ball, resulting in an incomplete pass. The 27-year-old did make a 12-yard reception later in the drive on third-and-17. But that dropped ball is costly when you're one of the receivers fighting for playing time in the regular season. Imagn Images
Q2 10:40 - Titans 6, Falcons 0
Punts are fun, right? Another ugly drive for the Falcons ends as Chris Blair is brought down 5 yards short of the sticks on third down.
Cam Ward is done for the night. Brandon Allen is now in at quarterback for the Titans.
To Lukas' earlier point, there's another absolutely brutal penalty for the Falcons as an explosive run by Nathan Carter past midfield is negated due to a hold.
It's approaching halfway through the second quarter, and the Tennessee Titans only have one first down.
Yes, this isn't a drill. One first down.
Cam Ward only has two completions tonight. He's showcasing his throwing speed, but the receivers are struggling to make the catches. Only two catches tonight so far for the Titans.
Not good enough!
Q2 12:47 - Titans 6, Falcons 0
Cam Ward and company quickly go three-and-out. The rookie attempts to find Elic Ayomanor down the seam, but he is covered tightly by Dee Alford. The Titans' wideout wanted a flag but does not get one.
Tennessee punts again. These offenses have been rather unimpressive so far.
Entering the second quarter, the Atlanta Falcons only had one penalty.
But the flags started flying on Atlanta's first drive on offense this quarter. Two false starts back up the Falcons, unable to get a first down on the drive.
Oh, and the Titans commit a holding penalty on the ensuing punt. The coaches on both teams are going to have a lot of film to comb through before Week 1 to reduce the mistakes.
Q2 13:42 - Titans 6, Falcons 0
Two false starts completely derail the Falcons' drive as Stick fails to connect with Chris Blair on third-and-long.
Atlanta punts again.