Nov 26, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons linebacker Bud Dupree (48) and quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) react after defeating the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Arthur Smith: First-place Falcons need more consistency on offense

Through 12 weeks of the NFL season, the Atlanta Falcons are sitting atop the NFC South standings with a road trip against the offensively-challenged New York Jets up next.

Atlanta (5-6, 3-0 NFC South) pulled away from the New Orleans Saints in the fourth quarter to earn a 24-15 victory over its division rival behind a critical drive orchestrated by Desmond Ridder, a rushing attack that piled up a season-high 228 yards and an opportunistic defense headlined by Jessie Bates III.

But Ridder also tossed two interceptions in his first game back as the starting quarterback, and head coach Arthur Smith is wary of his offense’s consistency ahead of Atlanta’s clash with one of the league’s most talented defenses.

“We’re about to go play a really good defense in New York so (the offense) better be ready to go,” Smith said. “They’ve got good players so we’ve got to do it on a consistent level. I thought the offensive line played the best game since I’ve been here (against New Orleans). We’ve invested heavily in those guys and we’ve just got to stick with our way of doing things.”

Ridder now has eight interceptions on the year after New Orleans defensive back Tyrann Mathieu was responsible for both interceptions Sunday. The first pick came at the Saints’ 1-yard line on first-and-goal with 34 seconds to go in the opening half — and the Falcons up 14-9.

“We’ve got to do a better job,” Smith said. “When we gave them the one at the 1, there were a couple of things going on there. But we’ve got to do a better job. When you turn the ball over, it makes life hard on yourselves. Had a chance to double ’em up there or get three before half.”

The second pick came with Atlanta on the move facing a first-and-10 at New Orleans’ 47-yard line when Ridder attempted to hit Van Jefferson on a deep ball down the left sideline.

But after a big hit by Bates forced Taysom Hill to fumble inside the Falcons’ 10-yard line, Ridder put Atlanta up 21-12 by leading his team on a nine-play, 95-yard scoring drive, capped by a 26-yard touchdown reception by Bijan Robinson.

The methodical scoring march, which was sparked by a 29-yard pass to Drake London on third-and-6 with less than 11 minutes to play, proved that Ridder has the makeup to lead his team to wins.

“What you like about him is the way he came back,” Smith said. “He doesn’t flinch. He’s resilient and we’ll keep working.”

Ridder and the Falcons’ offense face a stiff challenge squaring off against a Jets (4-7) defense that ranks right behind Atlanta at 14th in yards allowed per game (323.5) but is 31st in run defense (140.3 yards per game).

–Bates had 12 tackles, a pick-6 and a forced fumble in the win over the Saints. He is tied for third in the league with four interceptions and is second in forced fumbles (three).

–The Falcons are averaging 139.3 yards per game on the ground, good for fifth in the league.

–Field Level Media

Oct 29, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

Arthur Smith explains Falcons’ confidence in Desmond Ridder at QB1

Following the bye week, Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith announced on Monday that Desmond Ridder will be the team’s starting quarterback for the remainder of the season.

Ridder was benched at halftime during Atlanta’s 28-23 loss to Tennessee in Week 8 in favor of Taylor Heinecke primarily due to his struggles with turnovers. He sat out in a home loss to Minnesota, then nearly rallied the Falcons to a comeback win over Arizona after Heinecke left the game in the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury.

“Des did a lot of good things during his time as a reserve,” Smith said. “In Arizona, you could see how prepared he was. He was confident and clearly wanted the ball in his hands. We had confidence in Des then and we have confidence in him moving forward.”

In nine games (eight starts) this season, Ridder has completed 161 of 246 passes (65.4 percent) for 1,740 yards and six touchdowns. He’s also the Falcons’ third-leading rusher with 150 yards and four scores on the ground.

But the eye-popping stats are the six interceptions and six lost fumbles. Smith hopes that a reboot by spending two games watching from the sideline will help Ridder moving forward.

“We have a lot of confidence in Des,” Smith said. “Over the last couple weeks, he has handled it really well. There were a lot of things going on. I think the time (as a backup) was very beneficial for him.”

Now that he has the QB1 title again, Ridder said he has to “take it and run with it.”

“You get a different perspective of not only yourself but the offense as a whole,” Ridder said of his time as the backup. “Sometimes I feel like, whether it’s a practice or whatever, we lacked energy. So, we’ve got to keep energy up in practice and energy up all throughout the game.”

The Falcons (4-6, 2-0 NFC South) host the division rival New Orleans Saints (5-5, 1-1) Sunday with first place on the line in the NFC South.

The Saints, also off a bye week, lost 27-19 at Minnesota their last time out, but beat the Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears prior to that.

Derek Carr, who has passed for 2,231 and 10 touchdowns, left the game with Minnesota after injuring his shoulder and entering concussion protocol. Carr remains in concussion protocol as of Monday, so Jameis Winston could be behind center when the two teams hook up this Thanksgiving weekend.

“He’s still got to go through practice and all that so, no, he’s not ready as of yet,” New Orleans head coach Dennis Allen said when asked about his starting quarterback Monday. “Can’t really comment on it, but he’s in the protocol.”

This week’s meeting will be a reunion for Falcons’ defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen, who was the Saints’ defensive line coach for six years before being named Atlanta’s DC.

It will also mark the first time former New Orleans players and current Atlanta standouts Kaden Ellis and David Onyemata get a chance to beat their old team. Ellis is tied for the team lead in tackles with 73, including four for loss, and has two sacks. Onyemata has been a force on the Falcons’ defensive line and is tied with Arnold Ebiketie for the team lead in sacks with 3.5.

Defensively, Atlanta ranks seventh in total yards per game (308.8), 14th in rushing yards per game (108.4), ninth in passing yards per game (200.4) and tied for 17th in points allowed (21.7) in Nielsen’s first season with the team.

–New Orleans standout cornerback Marshon Lattimore (ankle) and wideout Michael Thomas (knee) are dealing with injuries that “are going to take some time” to heal, according to Allen.

–Ridder on the matchup with the Saints: “It’s a huge division game, a huge division opponent. …We need to negate the self-inflicted (issues) that may happen throughout the game.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA;  Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) hands off to running back Bijan Robinson (7) in the second half] at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Smith: ‘Premature’ to commit to Falcons’ QB entering bye week

The Atlanta Falcons enter their bye week mired in a three-game losing streak and facing critical questions ahead of their closing seven-game stretch to the regular season.

At 4-6, they are still only a game behind New Orleans in the NFC South, so the playoffs remain a distinct possibility. But to make a run at the postseason, Atlanta must first address what has led to six losses in the past eight games.

The biggest question is what to do at quarterback.

Taylor Heinicke has started the past two games after relieving Desmond Ridder during a Week 8 loss at Tennessee. He has managed the offense adequately, but has thrown only two touchdowns against one interception the past two weeks — both games the Falcons led before ultimately losing in the final minute.

Heinicke was replaced by Ridder in the second half of Sunday’s loss at Arizona after suffering a hamstring injury. It’s a “low grade” strain, meaning Heinicke will likely be available after the bye week, but coach Arthur Smith was in no hurry to commit to his starting quarterback for a critical Week 12 home game against New Orleans.

“We’re at the bye week, so we’ll take some time, step back and look at everything. A little premature,” Smith said Monday when asked about the quarterback situation. “Obviously, both of those guys have done some good things and other things that we have to assess and see where we’re at. At the start of next week, we’ll come back in, get a bonus day on Monday, and we’ll go from there.

“Just got to take a step back and look at it and make sure we’re doing what’s best for the team.”

The Falcons also close the season at New Orleans, and none of their seven remaining opponents currently has a winning record.

That’s the cup-half-full side of the equation. The other side is the reality that Atlanta has lost to Washington, Tennessee, Minnesota and Arizona in the past five weeks — teams with a combined 15-24 record.

Smith could return to Ridder, who started the first eight games. The second-year quarterback has thrown six touchdowns and six interceptions as part of his 84.1 passer rating, but he did run of a 9-yard touchdown with 2:33 remaining on Sunday to put Atlanta up 23-22.

“There are things that I think he’s done really well as a young player,” Smith said when asked how the time on the bench may have benefited Ridder. “Sometimes you need a fresh perspective. That’s what I think helped him. And I think you saw when he got in there. I saw his confidence and I saw a guy that’s the reason we love him and wanted him here coming out.

“The guy wants the ball in his hands in critical moments. He has done a lot of good. But the reset, the re-focus and working on things that I thought could help him, and he’s done that.”

The Falcons are now 18-26 under Smith, who went 7-10 in each of his first two seasons in Atlanta. They’re heading toward a similar record if they’re unable to make significant improvement coming out of the bye.

While the ground game has been effective, including 95 yards by rookie Bijan Robinson on Sunday, the passing game mustered only 70 yards against the Cardinals, who entered the game with one victory on the season.

Smith said he doesn’t plan to make any changes to his staff, and is aware that many frustrated fans are calling for him to be fired.

“You embrace it — the good, the bad, the pressure,” Smith said. “The good news is we’re not dead.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 29, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) stands in the pocket against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

Arthur Smith: Falcons’ QB decision to come Wednesday

Following the Atlanta Falcons’ 28-23 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, all eyes are on the quarterback position with a home game against the Minnesota Vikings on deck.

Desmond Ridder was evaluated for a concussion and the team said he was cleared of a head injury, but he did not play in the second half and was replaced in the lineup by Taylor Heinicke.

Head coach Arthur Smith did not give a definitive answer when asked Monday who his starting quarterback would be against Minnesota.

“I gotta see where he (Ridder) is at,” Smith said. “That’s the best I can give you, but I gotta see where he’s at and see if that’s the best thing for this team this week. Obviously, it’s not something I’m concerned with long term. He’s done a lot of good things, but we have to find a way to go win this game. If it’s Taylor, that’s what we’ll do, but my concern is Des.”

Ridder played the first half against the Titans and completed 8 of 12 passes for 71 yards and ran for 26 yards. But he was sacked five times and lost a fumble when he was hit by defensive end Jeffery Simmons midway through the second quarter, which led to a Tennessee touchdown and a 14-3 lead.

After Atlanta totaled just 89 yards in the first half, Heinicke completed 12 of 21 passes for 175 yards and a score and guided the Falcons (4-4) to points on four of his first five possessions in the second half.

Facing continuous questions about the quarterback position, Smith said he would give an answer on who will be the starter by Wednesday.

“We’ll use the next 24 hours to evaluate,” Smith said. “We’ll obviously listen to the medical experts first and evaluate in the short term what’s best thing for Des, what’s best thing for this team. … I’m not going to sit here and play games because whoever is going to play this week to try and beat Minnesota is going to get the reps.”

The Vikings have won three in a row and four of their last five games, but they will arrive in Atlanta without star quarterback Kirk Cousins, who tore his right Achilles in Sunday’s 24-10 win over Green Bay and is out for the year.

With Cousins out, Minnesota (4-4) will likely turn to rookie Jaren Hall, with veteran Nick Mullens still on injured reserve and eligible to be activated ahead of Week 10. Hall replaced Cousins and completed 3 of 4 passes for 23 yards against the Packers.

A major bright spot for the Vikings has been the play of rookie receiver Jordan Addison. Through eight games, Addison has 36 receptions for 482 yards and seven touchdowns, which ranks second to only the Miami Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill (eight TDs receiving) for tops in the league. Addison has been a welcome addition since star wideout Justin Jefferson went on IR early this month with a hamstring injury.

–Atlanta defensive lineman Grady Jarrett tore his ACL in the loss to the Titans and is out for the year. The two-time Pro Bowler has been one of the NFL’s best interior linemen and had 1.5 sacks, eight quarterback hits, two passes defended and 23 combined tackles (two for a loss) in eight starts this season.

“Hate it for Grady,” Smith said.

–Fullback Keith Smith (concussion) and wideout Drake London (groin) left Sunday’s game against the Titans.

“Guys with concussions will have to go through the protocols,” Smith said. “On Drake, don’t have an official timeline, but it wasn’t as bad as we thought, so there is some positive news there.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 22, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA;  Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (31) forces a fumble by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) at the goal line in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Falcons coach: Ridder’s decision-making ‘pretty good’ despite fumbles

Following an emotional 16-13 road win over Tampa Bay, the Atlanta Falcons find themselves in unfamiliar territory in the NFC South: first place.

Despite three red-zone fumbles by Desmond Ridder, Atlanta’s defense made plays when it had to, and so did its second-year quarterback on the five-play, 42-yard game-winning drive, as the Falcons (4-3, 2-0 NFC South) won on a late field goal by Younghoe Koo for the third time this season.

“I’ll say this about Des: He sat in there and delivered some big-time throws, especially when we needed it late,” head coach Arthur Smith said Monday.

“At the end of the day, we found a way,” Smith added. “Koo, as he continues to do, is clutch. Our guys made big plays at big moments. It’s a resilient group.”

The past two weeks, Ridder has thrown three interceptions and lost three fumbles. But on the bright side, in that span he completed 47 of 72 passes for 557 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 56 yards and a score.

“It’s stuff we have to clean up,” Smith said. “I thought the decision-making in the pocket was pretty good.”

If it weren’t for the three costly turnovers by Ridder, especially two on the goal line, Atlanta would’ve likely cruised to a win over the rival Bucs (3-3, 1-1). The same could be said for the loss against the Washington Commanders in Week 6.

“We certainly know how to make it hard on ourselves,” Smith said.

Ridder has only made 11 starts in the NFL. When the Falcons hit the road to take on the Tennessee Titans (2-4) Sunday, it will be the sixth road start of his career.

The Titans have lost two straight games, but they enter the matchup with the Falcons fresh off a bye week. Veteran quarterback Ryan Tannehill has passed for 1,128 yards, two touchdowns and six interceptions. But his status for the Atlanta game is up in the air (high ankle sprain) so the Falcons may see dual-threat Malik Willis or rookie Will Levis behind center.

Derrick Henry leads the Titans in rushing (425 yards, three touchdowns), but rookie Tyjae Spears (5.5 yards per carry) has been impressive as a change-of-pace back.

Veteran DeAndre Hopkins leads the Titans in receptions (27) and yards (376) but has yet to find the end zone this season. Tennessee owns one of the worst offenses in the league, ranked 28th in total offense (283.5 yards per game) and 25th in scoring offense (17.3 points per game).

Despite having four wins, Atlanta is averaging just 16.4 points per game, ranked 29th in the league.

–Smith was informed prior to the game against Tampa Bay that rookie running back Bijan Robinson “wasn’t feeling like himself.” Robinson had just one carry for three yards. He leads the Falcons in rushing (404 yards) and is fourth on the team in receiving (26 catches for 189 yards and two scores).

–Undrafted free agent linebacker Nate Landman had a team-high 12 tackles and forced a fumble against the Bucs. It was the second straight game he led the team in tackles.

–Field Level Media

Oct 15, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) is tackled by Washington Commanders defensive end Casey Toohill (95) in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Arthur Smith, Falcons focus on eliminating turnovers

Through six games this season, quarterback Desmond Ridder has three wins and a number of big-time throws.

But Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith knows the reality requires full context. And that total picture view means pointing out the Falcons’ three losses during which Atlanta produced less than 17 points each time, Ridder’s eight turnovers and 19 sacks, and consistent red-zone trouble.

“I don’t ever want to sound like I’m making excuses, what happened, happened. Macro or big-picture, he’s making some big-time throws,” Smith said. “Guys are open. Clearly, we’ve got to eliminate those turnovers.”

Smith placed both hands over his head and grimaced in unison with assistant coaches on the sideline when Ridder spoiled a chance for a potential game-tying sequence on Sunday. Trailing the Washington Commanders 24-16 with 5:11 left in the game, Ridder was picked off in the end zone by Benjamin St-Juste. He threw his third pick of the game to seal the Falcons’ fate on their next drive.

Atlanta had a chance to improve to 4-2 with a win, but dropped instead to 3-3 and failed to build on Ridder’s Week 5 outing, featuring a career-high 329 yards and game-winning drive in the Falcons’ 21-19 win over the Texans. Ridder had 307 yards passing with two touchdowns.

Smith said he wouldn’t use the word “discouraged” to describe the quarterback play and believes Ridder will respond the right way.

“He’s one of the more accountable people I’ve coached. You can’t deny the passing game has gotten a lot better, but you have to get rid of those critical mistakes,” Smith said.

Beyond Ridder’s confidence, Atlanta is also monitoring the health of rookie running back Bijan Robinson, who is 15th in the NFL in carries with 80 and tied for the team lead with 26 receptions. The No. 8 overall pick had 277 total touches at Texas last season.

Smith said the team will take workload into account.

“You have to be careful,” Smith said.

–Field Level Media

Oct 1, 2023; London, United Kingdom; Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Josh Allen (41) pressures Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) during the second half of an NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports

Falcons coach: Sticking with Desmond Ridder; offense needs faster starts

For the second consecutive week, Atlanta’s offense struggled to find the end zone.

In the Falcons’ 23-7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, Arthur Smith’s team could only muster one touchdown in 57 plays despite getting 17 first downs and controlling the ball for a shade over 27 minutes.

Much of the blame for Atlanta’s struggles could be pinned on quarterback Desmond Ridder, who threw a pick-6 and was sacked four times in the loss to the Jaguars (2-2). But in Monday’s press conference, Smith said the Falcons’ (2-2) offense has to find a rhythm earlier in games after scoring just three first-half points the last two weeks.

“We’ve got to find a way to start faster,” Smith said. “There’s different things we’ve looked at schematically in what you’re calling, and what you’re doing differently, so we have to get that solved so we’re not in a 10-nothing hole.”

In addition to a quicker start, Smith reiterated that there will not be a quarterback change as Atlanta gears up for a home game with the surging Houston Texans (2-2) on Sunday afternoon.

“Obviously, I wouldn’t be sitting, pontificating about what went on in the game if we were making a change,” Smith said.

Ridder threw two interceptions and passed for just 73 yards in the first half against Jacksonville. But his play in the second half (completed 10 of 17 passes for 118 yards and a touchdown) showed Smith how his second-year quarterback could handle adversity.

“That’s what you had to find out,” Smith said. “You go into a game like that and those things happen in the first half, you got to find out: sink or swim. To his credit, he came out firing. There wasn’t hesitancy. I don’t care what position you play — in any high-performance job, high-pressure job — you start to get hesitant, bad deal. So, you found out after some real adversity what he was about.”

In the upcoming game against the Texans, Ridder and the rest of his teammates will have to perform well to avoid a three-game losing streak.

Houston has beaten Jacksonville (37-17) and Pittsburgh (30-6) in consecutive weeks and is led by dynamic rookies C.J. Stroud, Will Anderson Jr. and Henry To’oTo’o.

Stroud is currently fourth in the NFL in passing yards (1,212) and has thrown six touchdowns without an interception. In Week 4’s win over the Steelers, he completed 16 of 30 passes for 306 yards and two TDs.

To’oTo’o leads Houston in tackles (27) and has been a force at linebacker. Defensive end and former Alabama teammate Anderson has 15 tackles and a sack for a Texans defense that’s ranked 11th in the league in scoring (19.8 points per game).

Atlanta’s defense enters this week’s game ranked 10th in scoring defense (19.3 ppg), seventh in total defense (290.8 yards per game) and fifth in pass defense (176.2 ypg).

–Falcons safety Jessie Bates III is currently tied for the NFL lead with three interceptions. He leads Atlanta in tackles (32) and forced fumbles (two).

–Cordarrelle Patterson suited up for the first time this season against Jacksonville but played sparingly. Patterson, who is playing the “Joker” role in Atlanta’s offense, could be primed for more playing time against Houston.

–Field Level Media

Sep 17, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) passes to tight end Kyle Pitts (8) against the Green Bay Packers during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Arthur Smith: Falcons need ‘more explosives’ to complement run game

If the Atlanta Falcons expect to get back into the win column when they play the Jacksonville Jaguars in London on Sunday, they will have to re-establish their running game following a 20-6 road loss to Detroit.

The Lions held the Falcons’ (2-1) vaunted rushing attack, led by dynamic rookie Bijan Robinson, to just 44 yards. And due to Atlanta’s inability to get the running backs going, Detroit was able to take aim at second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder, who was sacked seven times.

It showed just how important the Falcons’ run game is to their success.

“We dropped back more than we had in a while,” Falcons coach Arthur Smith said in Monday’s press conference. “The run game is not going to be great every week. When we are not getting the counters off the run game and getting those going, whether that’s in the play-actions, screens or movement passes, well, that does really make you one-dimensional.”

Despite the disappointing showing in Detroit, Atlanta enters its matchup with the Jaguars (1-2) ranked ninth in the league in rushing (128.3 yards per game). Conversely, the Falcons sit 28th in passing yards (155 yards per game).

Through three games, Robinson is the team’s leader in rushing (213 yards) and receptions (14 for 102 yards and a score). Wideout Mack Hollins has just seven catches, but he leads Atlanta at 114 yards.

Tight end Kyle Pitts is coming off his best game of the season (five catches for 41 yards) against Detroit, but he and second-year receiver Drake London, two of the team’s most explosive players, have yet to take the top off defenses.

Smith felt the offense needs to connect on more big plays in the passing game.

“It’s not for a lack of trying, but we’ve got to hit some more explosives,” Smith said.

After winning its opener against the Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville has dropped consecutive games to the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans.

Jags quarterback Trevor Lawrence has completed 73 of 113 passes for 736 yards and three touchdowns, with two interceptions, through three games. Tailback Travis Etienne is the team’s leading rusher with 205 yards and a score on 49 carries. He’s also caught 11 passes for 79 yards.

Tight end Evan Engram has made 18 receptions for 173 yards for Jacksonville but has yet to find the end zone this season. Former Falcon Calvin Ridley has 13 receptions for 173 yards and a score.

Smith wants his players and coaches focused on beating a talented Jaguars squad in England.

“We got to take a step back and all of us get in the bunker and see how we can get better.” Smith said. “We are 2-1, thankfully. We got a big game in London against a team that’s going to have the same mindset (as Detroit a week ago). … We know what they’re about. They are a talented football team with a really good coaching staff.”

–Smith said the arm/shoulder injury to starting linebacker Troy Anderson on Sunday “didn’t look good.” An official prognosis was not yet made.

–Atlanta safety Jessie Bates III has three interceptions through three games. Former safety Thomas DeCoud (2012) is the only other Falcons player to accomplish that feat in franchise history.

–Jacksonville starting right tackle Anton Harrison injured his leg in the loss to the Texans and could be out for Sunday’s game.

–Field Level Media

Sep 17, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) runs the ball against the Green Bay Packers in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Young offense has Arthur Smith’s Falcons eyeing 3-0 start

Following a 25-24 comeback win over the Green Bay Packers, the Atlanta Falcons have a chance to do something they haven’t done since 2017: open a season 3-0.

If the Falcons go to Detroit and defeat the Lions — just as they did in Week 3 of that 2017 season — it will mark just the seventh time in 58 years that Atlanta has started a campaign with three wins.

Rookie running back Bijan Robinson, second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder and the Falcons’ talented young core on offense are a big reason for Atlanta’s hot start.

Robinson, as explosive a runner as they come, rushed for 124 yards on 19 carries in the win over the Packers. The No. 8 overall pick added four catches for 48 yards, proving his unique ability as a runner and receiver out of the backfield.

“There is a reason why we drafted him as high as we did, the same with (tight end) Kyle (Pitts) and (wide receiver) Drake (London),” Falcons head coach Arthur Smith said Monday. “All of them had impacts and we hope Bijan can continue to do that and keep improving. There are plays he makes that he’s very natural at, but that kinda takes the credit away from how hard he works.”

Ridder played arguably his best game as a pro against Green Bay. In his sixth NFL start, Ridder completed 19 of 32 passes for 237 yards and a touchdown. He also had 39 yards on the ground and scored on a crucial 6-yard run early in the fourth quarter, which sparked a 13-0 Falcons run to close the game.

“You saw some of that last year with him, and that was a thing you liked about him. He can extend plays,” Smith said of Ridder’s progression in and out of the pocket.

“Sometimes it wasn’t necessarily the protection, it was he felt the lane, and he’s got enough speed that if he takes the lane he can make the play.”

Ridder also threw his first career interception, but Smith still praised his young quarterback for coming through late in the game.

“He’s a winner,” Smith said. “The guys believe in him. You can see it in their eyes in critical situations, he’s at his best.”

After not catching a pass in the season opener, London, a second-year pro, had team highs in receptions (six) and yards (67) against the Packers. His 3-yard touchdown reception late in the second quarter helped trim Green Bay’s lead to 10-9 at halftime.

Second-year tailback Tyler Allgeier has played his new role to a tee after setting Atlanta’s franchise rookie single-season rushing record with 1,035 yards. Allgeier (5-foot-11, 220 pounds) and Robinson (5-11, 215) are almost identical in size and the two are complementing each other in the Falcons’ hard-nosed rushing attack.

The Falcons head to the Motor City Sunday to take on a Lions team (1-1) coming off a 37-31 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

“We know we have a tough challenge going on the road to face Detroit, who lost a tough one in overtime last week,” Smith said. “I’m sure the place will be rocking. We’re going into a foreign environment so I’m sure it’ll be loud, a lot of energy in the building, so we will need to be ready to roll.”

Outside of veteran quarterback Jared Goff, Detroit, like Atlanta, is also a young team offensively, especially at the skill spots.

First-round pick Jahmyr Gibbs has 14 carries for 59 yards and nine receptions for 57 yards this season. Starting tight end Sam LaPorta, a second-round pick, has 10 receptions for 102 yards to open his rookie year.

Third-year pros Amon-Ra St. Brown and Penei Sewell are arguably the Lions’ two best players. In Detroit’s first two games, St. Brown has tallied 12 receptions for 173 yards and a touchdown as the Lions’ top wideout. Sewell started at right tackle last year but moved to left tackle last week in place of Taylor Decker (ankle).

–Falcons all-purpose back Cordarrelle Patterson (thigh) and cornerback Jeff Okudah (foot) did not play for the second straight game. Both players were limited in practice last week.

Smith said the team escaped basically injury-free in the win over the Packers.

“Nothing major, just some bumps and bruises,” Smith said. “It was a physical game but nothing really of any concern.”

–Robinson ranks second in the NFL in rushing behind San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey. Robinson has 180 yards on the ground in two games and is averaging 6.2 yards per carry on 29 attempts.

–Field Level Media

Sep 10, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) in action against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Falcons coach Arthur Smith unconcerned by meager passing production

Head coach Arthur Smith wasn’t worried about how the Atlanta Falcons earned their first victory of the season over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Despite some first-game mistakes, it was the fact they got it done.

“I’m just happy that we got the win,” Smith said. “It’s always good to get a win in the NFL, especially at home. Now we’ve got to get ready from a good Green Bay team coming in here.”

With the 24-10 win over an NFC South rival, Atlanta is off and running after a 7-10 finish a season ago.

Quarterback Desmond Ridder completed 15 of 18 passes for 115 yards and a touchdown in his fifth career start. Nine of Ridder’s 18 pass attempts were under 10 yards and only one went longer than 20 yards.

Some of that had to do with Atlanta’s inability to pass protect against a talented Carolina front that tallied four sacks and forced Ridder out of the pocket on several occasions.

But Smith emphasized that it wasn’t a lack of effort that the offense didn’t hit more plays downfield.

“We got sacked on four,” Smith said. “Our depth wasn’t good on some of ‘em. Some of them they may have covered. So, no, it wasn’t for a lack of trying. When you’re in third-and-22, third-and-12, it’s give and take. You don’t want them to pin their ears back.”

Second-year pro Tyler Allgeier, rookie tailback Bijan Robinson and safety Jessie Bates III played instrumental roles in the team’s win over Carolina.

Allgeier had a team-high 75 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries, while Robinson added 56 yards on the ground and six receptions for 27 yards and a score. Bates forced three turnovers (two interceptions, forced fumble) and recorded 10 tackles in his Falcons debut.

Rookie Matthew Bergeron, a second-round pick, got his first NFL start at left guard for one of the best run-blocking offensive lines in the league. Smith was pleased with how Bergeron played in his debut.

“Very solid,” Smith said. “It wasn’t perfect. But he’s a strong player with a tough mindset and I thought he played pretty well making his first NFL start.”

The Falcons will host Green Bay (1-0, 1-0 NFC North) Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. The Packers rolled to an impressive 38-20 win over Chicago last week behind three touchdown passes from quarterback Jordan Love and two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving) from tailback Aaron Jones.

Jones’ status is up in the air, however, after he injured his hamstring crossing the goal line on a 35-yard scoring reception in the third quarter, which gave the Packers a commanding 24-6 lead. After the game, Jones was seen jogging into the locker room so the injury may not be serious enough to keep him out of Sunday’s meeting.

Regardless of Green Bay’s situation, Smith is focused on his team improving from week to week so it can do what it hasn’t done since the 2017 season, and that’s make the playoffs.

“I’m just trying to help make this team better so we can play in the postseason,” Smith said.

–All-purpose back Cordarrelle Patterson (thigh) and cornerback Jeff Okudah did not play in the win over the Panthers. Smith is hopeful the two can return to the lineup in the coming days. Smith also said the team escaped any major injuries in the win over Carolina.

“We were actually pretty clean from an injury standpoint, which is always a positive,” Smith said. “With (Cordarrelle) Patterson and (Jeff) Okudah, they are trending in the right direction so we’ll see what Wednesday looks like for both of those guys.”

–The Falcons released running back Godwin Igwebuike, who was called up from the practice squad before the Week 1 game.

–Field Level Media