Can Atlanta Falcons QB Desmond Ridder Bring Story Full Circle vs. New Orleans Saints?
Rewind to a year ago today, and you'll find an Atlanta Falcons team that was below .500, albeit just by a game (5-6), and seemingly in the race for the NFC South despite their struggles. It sounds very similar to where the Falcons are now, coming off their bye week with a big NFC South clash with the New Orleans Saints set for Sunday, where the winner will sit atop the division.
While there are many similarities between this season and last, there are also some differences, like the fact that the Falcons hadn't made their change at quarterback from Marcus Mariota to Desmond Ridder at this point. That change happened three weeks following the Falcons' Week 11 win over the Chicago Bears. Compare it to this season, and the Falcons are making a change at signal-caller for the second time.
Yet, continuing the pattern of similarity, the change at quarterback happened during the bye week ahead of a game versus the Saints that feels like a must-win. In stark contrast to his first meeting with the Saints, Ridder has been in this situation once before and already knows how it feels to be on the losing side.
“I think it certainly helps," Falcons coach Arthur Smith said about whether Ridder's familiarity with the Saints could benefit him. "The more exposure you have than anybody. It’ll probably be the same way they look at us. They know there are certain strengths of certain players that we have. And the same thing when we look at Cam Jordan or Demario Davis."
Dec 18, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Payton Turner (98) chases Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (4) out the pocket during the second half at Caesars Superdome.
Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
In his first career start against the Saints, Ridder completed 13 of his 26 passes for 97 yards. Despite the well-below-average numbers from the then-rookie Ridder, the Falcons had a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter, trailing 21-18.
In the midst of a potential game-winning drive, the Falcons were faced with a fourth and five at midfield, prompting them to put the game on the line and go for it. While Ridder did find Drake London for a 12-yard gain, the former first-round pick fumbled the ball, upending the comeback effort.
The switch back to Ridder comes after he was benched for two games in favor of veteran backup Taylor Heinicke, who, despite not necessarily being at fault for either of the Falcons' two losses, his injury versus the Minnesota Vikings opened the door for Ridder's re-emergence.
In just two drives, Ridder completed four of his six passes for 39 yards while gaining 11 yards and a touchdown with his legs. While Ridder's heroics off the bench weren't enough to see the Falcons beat the Vikings, it was to see him take back the starting job.
Sunday will give Ridder and the Falcons a chance to bring the story of how they got here full circle. Or, as Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett once said, it will be another case of “same s***, different year.”
Kickoff between the Falcons and Saints is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
