The Falcons hit the road for the first time in 2014 to take on the Texans at NRG Stadium in the second game of the preseason. Take a look at these photos from the game.
TE Brian Wozniak
QB Matt Ryan warms up his arm before the game.
QB T.J. Yates warms up his arm on the field before the game.
QB T.J. Yates greets Texans' QB Case Keenum before the game.
QB Matt Ryan throws around a football to warm up for the game.
T Jake Matthews stretching during warm-up before the game.
T Jake Matthews stretching on the field.
LB Yawin Smallwood and LB Brenden Daley prior to kickoff.
LB Darin Drakeford and LB Yawin Smallwood before the game begins.
S William Moore, LB Yawin Smallwood, and LB Brenden Daley before the game.
QB Jeff Mathews throws around a football during warm-ups.
WR Devin Hester runs the ball.
S William Moore makes a tackle on Houston's RB Alfred Blue.
Head Coach Mike Smith
QB Matt Ryan drops back for a pass.
WR Julio Jones makes a diving catch.
WR Devin Hester celebrates scoring a touchdown with WR Harry Douglas.
DE Ra'Shede Hageman stretches before the game begins.
The Atlanta Falcons team rallys before the game begins.
WR Devin Hester slips past Houston's CB Josh Victorian to score a touchdown.
T Jake Matthews
T Jake Matthews stretching before the game begins.
Head Coach Mike Smith
DE Ra'Shede Hageman stretches before the game begins.
RB Antone Smith runs the ball fighting a tackle by Houston's C Jason Ankrah.
Head Coach Mike Smith on the sidelines during the game.
RB Jacquizz Rodgers makes a run during the second half
Head coach Mike Smith talks with officials
RB Devonta Freeman breaks into the endzone, but the score was overturned.
CB Josh Wilson takes down Texans WR Uzoma Nwachukwu
S Kemal Ishmael celebrates recovering a fumble
T Sam Baker holds off Houstons' LB Jadeveon Clowney.
QB Sean Renfree passes the ball down the field.
QB Jeff Mathews steps up to pass the ball.
RB Josh Vaughan carries the ball through the line.
C Joe Hawley
RB Jacquizz Rodgers runs the ball.
QB Matt Ryan directs his team from the line.
QB Matt Ryan drops back for a pass.
DE Osi Umenylora jumps up to tip the pass of Houstons' QB Tom Savage.
DE Kroy Biermann warms up before the game.
WR Roddy White
LB Paul Worrilow
DT Paul Soliai
LB Paul Worrilow tackles Houstons' TE C.J. Fiedorowicz.
LB Prince Shembo, DE Ra'Shede Hageman, and LB Paul Worrilow combine for a tackle.
DT Paul Soliai
DT Paul Soliai
DT Paul Soliai
CB Robert Alford and DE Kroy Biermann attempt to tackle Houstons' RB Jonathan Grimes.
S William Moore attempts to tackle Houstons' RB Jonathan Grimes.
Falcons defensive players combine to tackle Houstons' RB Afred Blue.
DT Travian Robertson, DT Jonathan Babineaux, and LB Joplo Bartu combine on a tackle.
RB Josh Vaughan follows a block by C Joe Hawley.
QB Sean Renfree steps up in the pocket to make a pass.
RB Devonta Freeman shakes a tackle by Houstons' DE Jared Crick.
RB Devonta Freeman runs the ball following a block.
RB Devonta Freeman runs the ball through the line.
TE Levine Toilolo sets a block against Houstons' CB Brandon Harris.
C Joe Hawley
T Jake Matthews
1. Texans Go Up Early: The Falcons' defense started strong on the Texans' first offensive drive, forcing quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Houston first unit into a three-and-out with good run defense. The next time the Texans got the ball, it was a very different story. Fitzpatrick guided the Texans down the field on a 12-play scoring drive that included just two passes. The Texans put up just nine first downs last week in a shutout loss to the Cardinals.
2. Baker Carted Off: With just more than 10 minutes to go in the second quarter, the Falcons' first-team offense came back onto the field for a fourth series. On the first play, Matt Ryan hit Julio Jones with a first-down pass. Jones was hit hard on the play, but got up fine. In the backfield, however, left tackle was down in the backfield clutching his right knee. Baker was carted off the field and there was no update available before the end of the game.
3. First Offense Can't Find Rhythm: The Falcons' offense had no problems getting rolling last week against Miami. Against the Texans' vaunted defense, however, the rhythm wasn't easy to come by. Even with Julio Jones returning to the mix for a quarter-and-a-half, the offense couldn't get moving consistently. With manageable third-down situations, the Falcons' first-team went 0-for-4 on the crucial down.
4. Second Offense Finds Paydirt: Sean Renfree entered the game at quarterback for the Falcons midway through the second quarter and the Falcons offense was able to put something together, thanks in part to Texans penalties. Four total penalties by Houston on the drive, including three in a row before the final scoring play put Devin Hester in position to take a wide receiver screen into the end zone.
5. Renfree Puts Together Solid Night: A bright spot for the Falcons was backup QB Renfree, who took plenty of snaps with the Falcons' second-team offense during the practice week. He came in before TJ Yates and put together a good night of work. He left the game in the second half after going 7-for-10 for 49 yards and one touchdown. His quarterback rating was 114.2.
Extra Reps: The Falcons' special teams units had a rough night. A field goal attempt and a punt were both blocked while the returners couldn't get clear running lanes. If they did, a penalty would set the offense back. ... Kemal Ishmael recorded his first NFL interception during the fourth quarter of the game. ... Penalties were an issue for both teams as more than 200 yards were racked up by flags.
