Who Should I Start? Kyle Allen or Easton Stick

Saturday, August 9, 8:45 AM

Detroit Lions quarterback Kyle Allen completed seven of eight pass attempts for 120 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions in his team's 17-10 preseason win over the Atlanta Falcons on Friday night. He entered the game in the second quarter, replacing Hendon Hooker at quarterback. Allen and Hooker are competing for the backup quarterback job in Detroit behind Jared Goff. Both players struggled in the team's preseason opener against the Los Angeles Chargers, but Allen significantly outplayed Hooker against Atlanta. The Lions' usage of their two reserve quarterbacks will be something to monitor in the team's third preseason game against the Miami Dolphins on August 16.

Saturday, August 9, 4:13 PM

With Atlanta Falcons No. 1 quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and backup Kirk Cousins sitting out Friday, third-stringer Easton Stick got the start against the Detroit Lions. Stick impressed in a 17-10 loss, completing 15 of 18 attempts for 149 yards and a touchdown. The former fifth-round pick spent the first six seasons of his career with the Los Angeles Chargers before joining the Falcons in free agency this past spring. Stick appeared in six games with the Chargers (four starts) and completed 64% of passes with three touchdowns and an interception. If the Falcons keep three quarterbacks, Stick looks like the front-runner for the role, though he is competing with Emory Jones. The 25-year-old Jones has no regular-season experience in the NFL, but he did go 4-for-5 for 49 yards and add nine more yards on two rushes in relief of Stick on Friday. Stick and Jones will continue battling for a roster spot on Aug. 15 against the Tennessee Titans.