NFL News NFL News, Reports and Updates
Greg Auman
NFC South Reporter
The Atlanta Falcons, running out of chances to keep their postseason hopes alive, are making another change at quarterback, benching starter Desmond Ridder for the second time this season and turning again to backup Taylor Heinicke, The Athletic reported Tuesday.
Ridder, who leads the NFL with six red-zone turnovers this year, had a costly one Sunday, throwing an interception in the fourth quarter that set up Carolina’s 90-yard drive for a winning field goal as time expired in a 9-7 victory. The Falcons (6-8) are a game behind the Bucs and Saints with three weeks to play and have only an 11% chance to make the playoffs, according to the New York Times’ playoff simulator.
“When you have that responsibility of the football and knowing the situation, those are critical mistakes,” coach Arthur Smith said Monday. “[Ridder] would be the first to tell you. There’s a lot of good that Des has done. Again, the blame doesn’t all go to him, but that’s the same thing with the head coach, it is your responsibility, especially as a quarterback.”
Smith has stuck with Ridder for much of this season, despite consistent turnovers — he has 10 interceptions and six lost fumbles, including three of each in the red zone, a league high. Heinicke took over midway through a loss to the Titans in Week 8 and started two games, losing both, before the Falcons gave the starting job back to Ridder. Heinicke has better numbers overall, with three touchdowns against one interception in his limited action.
Two weeks ago, the Falcons were in first place in the NFC South, in position to end a six-year playoff drought, but close losses to the Bucs and Panthers have them on the outside looking in. Smith said Monday that he understands the frustration and disappointment that Falcons fans have with how the season has unfolded.
“Certainly, we’re not where we want to be. We’ve lost some close games, but it’s not over,” Smith…
Source link : https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/struggling-falcons-reportedly-switch-qbs-again-benching-desmond-ridder
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Publish date : 2023-12-19 14:53:30
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