Scrimmage provides full-team look before final preseason game

— Overall, the offense had a stronger first-half performance. Whatever was said during the makeshift 10-minute halftime, though, flipped the script. The defense had the overall advantage in the second half.

— Per Cousins, the outcome of the scrimmage was determined by a final 2-point conversion between the starting units. That was the sole “mamba period.” If Cousins is to be believed, a completion to running back Bijan Robinson gave the offense the victory.

— At least eight penalty flags flew: three on offense, four on defense and one on special teams.

— There were two notable guests in attendance for Wednesday’s scrimmage: Falcons team owner Arthur Blank and former NFL quarterback Alex Smith. The latter was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft and a three-time Pro Bowler, who played for the San Francisco 49ers from 2005-12, the Kansas City Chiefs from 2013-17 and the Washington Commanders from 2019-20. Smith joined ESPN as an analyst upon retiring from the sport as a player.

— Cousins completed 16 of his 22 pass attempts with one touchdown and one interception. That count broke up into 12 of 13 in the first half and 4 of 9 in the second half. The first-half score went to tight end Kyle Pitts, and it was about a 45-yard completion. The second-half pick was by safety Lukas Denis, intended for tight end Charlie Woerner.

Quarterback Michael Penix Jr., meanwhile, completed 21 of his 28 pass attempts. That count broke up into 14 of 16 in the first half and 7 of 12 in the second half. He was not responsible for a touchdown or an interception.

— To break down the running backs: With the first team, Robinson had 15 carries and a touchdown, while Tyler Allgeier had seven carries. With the second team, Carlos Washington Jr. (five), Jase McClellan (four), Spencer Brown (three) and Avery Williams (two) combined for 14 carries total.

Robinson and Allgeier each had two completions, too. Then, Washington and McClellan had three apiece.

— Chris Blair was the most productive wide receiver of both groups, catching six passes from Penix. Darnell Mooney had the second-most receptions with five from Cousins. Drake London and Casey Washington each had four catches.

— Coordinator Zac Robinson did not stand along the sideline with the rest of the players and most of the coaches. Robinson was more so in the corner of an end zone….