Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa expressed frustration after Atlanta's 27-7 preseason loss to the Denver Broncos, calling the performance "definitely not up to standard, not even up to par."

Playing just two series, Tagovailoa completed 3-of-5 passes for 22 yards, with all four of his targets going to tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. His second snap resulted in a fumble that he recovered himself, which he believes set a negative tone for the game.

"It starts with me, I got to be better with that," Tagovailoa said. "I thought off of that play, things kind of got out of the rhythm."

The Broncos scored 24 unanswered points before the Falcons managed their only score. Coach Kevin Stefanski noted it was difficult to fully evaluate Tagovailoa's performance given the limited playing time, stating, "Hard to give a grade on that fewest amount of ... sample size."

Tagovailoa is competing with Michael Penix Jr. for the starting quarterback position, though Penix has not been cleared for full practice. The new Falcons regime, including Stefanski, general manager Ian Cunningham, and president of football Matt Ryan, signed Tagovailoa to a one-year, $1.3 million contract after he was released by the Miami Dolphins.