Falcons' Desmond Ridder Bounces Back After First Career Interception
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder had an NFL first in his team's 25-24 win against the Green Bay Packers.
Ridder threw his first interception in his sixth NFL game. Last week, the Falcons signal caller became just the second quarterback since the AFL/NFL merger to complete his first five starts without throwing an interception, joining Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott on the list.
But Ridder's run of no interceptions came to an end on the first drive of career start No. 6, as he was picked off by Packers cornerback Rasul Douglas during Sunday's game inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
“Obviously [I] got hit on it, but it's just how you get back, how you bounce back from it. I felt like we did a great job of coming back out there, not worrying about what happened the last drive and just keep going on the next,” Ridder said postgame.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder throws a pass against the Green Bay Packers.
USA Today
Ridder did bounce back on his second drive, leading the Falcons on a 15-play, 73-yard drive in which they were ultimately forced to settle for a Younghoe Koo field goal.
“That's just kind of how my whole career has been," Ridder said. "Never get too high, never get too low. We always talk about that in our quarterback meeting room, the energy feeds off us. If we're down, everyone is going to be down. If we're up, everyone is going to be up. For me, I tried to remain neutral throughout that entire game. I felt like I did my best job of just staying calm, and like I said, just playing each play as it comes.”
Ridder bounced back in a big way. He finished the game completing 19 of 32 passes for 237 yards and a touchdown while adding 39 yards on the ground with 10 carries.
Ridder looks to keep a perfect record alive next week when the Falcons visit the Detroit Lions. Kickoff for next Sunday is scheduled for 1 p.m.
