Washington Commanders Give Atlanta Falcons QB Desmond Ridder First Home Loss Since 2015
The Washington Commanders (3-3) hit the road and took a crucial 24-16 victory over the Atlanta Falcons (3-3) Sunday afternoon inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Washington's victory not only marked the end of a three-game skid, but also a streak almost eight years in the making - Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder's home winning record.
Ridder, a four-year starter at the University of Cincinnati now in his second professional season, entered the afternoon 31-0 at home as a both a college and pro starter.
The last time that Ridder, 24, lost a home game was during his junior year of high school at St. Xavier (Louisville) - a 20-10 defeat on Oct. 30, 2015, against St. Xavier (Ohio).
It had been 2,908 days since Ridder's last home loss. With Atlanta's next home game not until Nov. 5, a win over Washington would've secured at least an eight-year gap between losses.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder struggled with turnovers Sunday against the Washington Commanders.
USA Today Sports
Final score aside, Ridder will take plenty of memories with him from Sunday's loss - he tossed a career-high three interceptions, matching his career nine-game total entering the day.
Ridder completed 28 of 47 passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns, but all of his interceptions came in the second half. The first led to a Commanders touchdown, the second came on 3rd and Goal trailing by eight in the fourth quarter and the last effectively ended the game on Atlanta's final drive.
Washington's interceptions came from three different players - cornerbacks Kendall Fuller and Benjamin St-Juste and linebacker Jamin Davis - and its three takeaways were the most by the team since generating four on Nov. 14 against the Philadelphia Eagles last year.
And so, while the Falcons outgained the Commanders some 402 yards to 193, Ridder's interceptions made the difference - and ended his lengthy streak in the process.
