Atlanta Falcons QB Desmond Ridder Made 'A Lot of Progress,' says Coach Arthur Smith
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder threw for a career-high 347 passing yards in Sunday's 29-25 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - but continued battling many of the same flaws that led to his two-game benching.
Ridder completed 26 of 40 passes, finished second in the NFL in passing yards in Week 14, delivered tight end Kyle Pitts' longest professional touchdown on a 36-yard score and found the endzone on an eight-yard rush.
But the 24-year-old Ridder also tossed an interception and fumbled twice, one of which was in his own endzone and resulted in a safety.
Ridder missed running back Bijan Robinson in the flat on 3rd and Goal during Atlanta's first drive, forcing the Falcons to settle for a field goal.
It was a 4-point swing ... in a game ultimately decided by 4 points.
In his three-game stretch before entering concussion protocol at halftime in Week 8 against the Tennessee Titans, Ridder averaged 297 passing yards per game, the second-best mark in the league.
But over that same span, he'd turned the ball over six times, and Falcons coach Arthur Smith was displeased with the offense's efficiency in the redzone.
So, Ridder once again produced at a high level - but turnovers and a critical redzone blunder directly contributed to Atlanta's loss in a game that took it from sole possession of first place in the NFC South to a three-way tie with four games to play.
In essence, Ridder finds himself in a very similar spot to where he was earlier this season - but Smith believes he's grown considerably.
“I think you can argue that the numbers have been pretty good,” Smith said. “Career high, thought he threw the ball really well. When you’re moving the pocket with some of this stuff, he made some difficult throws.
“You do see a lot of progress with some of the small things.”
Smith pointed to a pass Ridder threw in the third quarter, rolling to his left with pressure in his face before delivering a strong ball to receiver Drake London.
It ultimately fell incomplete - the only such result in London's 11-target, 10-catch game - but the throw's difficulty impressed Smith.
There's an easy argument to be made about Ridder's progress going one way or another, Smith said, but Atlanta's third-year coach believes the bottom line is simple: Ridder, more times than not, does enough to win.
“He would be the first to tell you, a couple plays here or there, need to work on as you continue to grow,” Smith said. “So, he’s got, what, 15 starts? Give or take, six times out of those 15, he hasn’t won them all, but he’s put us in position late in the game to score to win or lead.
“So, there is a lot of progress, but we evaluate everything every day like I evaluate everything I do every day and try to improve.”
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
The Falcons are 6-5 in Ridder's starts this year and 8-7 overall under his guide. Only two of those losses - Weeks 3 and 4 against the Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars - came by more than one possession.
Twice - Week 10 in relief against the Arizona Cardinals and this past Sunday vs. Tampa Bay - Ridder's led go-ahead scoring drives with just over two minutes to play but saw Atlanta's defense fold at the end.
But in some cases, Ridder's late charge has masked three quarters worth of inconsistency.
Take, for instance, his effort Sunday, in which Atlanta endured seven straight scoreless drives, featuring four punts, two missed field goals and a safety.
During the Falcons' first 10 possessions, they accumulated 231 total yards of offense. Over their three fourth-quarter series, they had 203 yards.
There's something to be said about Ridder's stout play late in games, as his adjusted Expected Points Added (EPA) spikes from No. 29-30 in the league from the first three quarters to No. 3 in the fourth quarter.
But it also adds to the frustrations of Atlanta's consummate highs and lows as an offense - the ceiling is evident but hasn't been put together for a full four-quarter showing.
And so, Smith is left balancing the rollercoaster ride of Ridder's second professional season with perspective - and remains optimistic about his response heading into Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers.
“We have a lot of young skill position guys, but there’s never any panic in them, and that’s why you like working with them,” Smith said. “It’s your job. We’ll keep working with them. What we can control this week is put everything we’ve got to go win this game in Charlotte. That’s the opportunity we have in front of us.”
Ridder's 13.3 yards per completion marked a career high. He proved once more he can push the ball down the field; Atlanta's offense has eclipsed 400 total yards in five of Ridder's 11 starts as opposed to none in backup Taylor Heinicke's two opportunities.
But in Ridder's most individually productive starts, the Falcons historically haven't fared well; they're 1-4 in the games he's completed at least 20 passes.
When Ridder logs 30 or more attempts, Atlanta's just 3-5, with losses in each of his three highest-attempt games. Conversely, when Ridder throws it 27 or fewer times, the Falcons are 5-2.
Atlanta's identity under Smith has been running the ball, but there were hopes of generating a more balanced attack this season. Ridder's provided glimpses of that, but more aerial involvement has evidently been detrimental.
Now, Smith's left hoping to see the Falcons eliminate "a couple plays" that may ultimately be the difference between them making the postseason or missing for the sixth consecutive season.
On one hand, there's skepticism, as Atlanta hasn't been able to get over the hump with Smith, and Ridder's overall play creates new questions seemingly each snap.
But on the other, Ridder's been at his best in the fourth quarter - and as the Falcons enter the final frame of their once-promising campaign, they'll need their young signal caller to deliver on the belief Smith still carries.
“We have to improve and put everything we have into this because here it is, last quarter of the season,” Smith said. “Thankful we have another opportunity, and we have to go win this game on Sunday.”
The Falcons (6-7) and Panthers (1-12) will kick off at 1 p.m. EST Sunday inside Bank of America Stadium.
