If you would have told me last week that Falcons QB1 Desmond Ridder would have his first career start on the road at the New Orleans Saints and have 300 plus throwing yards, a couple of touchdowns, and come away with the win. I would say you are full of it. None of that happened and the Falcons put up a nine in the loss column losing 18-21.
Now if you would have told me that Ridder would have a subpar game, as to be expected, but running back Tyler Algeier would run for 139 yards and one score, and RB/WR Cordarrelle Patterson would run for 52 yards and one score, then I might say the Falcons might have won the game. Well, that didn’t happen either.
The Falcons came into New Orleans with a rookie quarterback and Defensive Coordinator Dean Pees at a New Orleans hospital after getting knocked down during pregame warmups by a Saints player…not intentional though.
Game started as most games start this year for the Falcons. A quick two scores and the Saints were up 14-0. Falcons couldn’t muster anything but a field goal going into the half. Ridder showed first professional start nerves and was inconsistent throughout the first half. What saved the Falcons from getting blown out and not able to come back and make it a game was the running of Algeier (139 yards) and Patterson (52 yards). The Falcons did come back and Ridder did calm down and show flashes of what might be.
As with most games this year the Falcons couldn’t get over the hump and win the game after falling behind early and scratching their way back in game with a chance to win, but couldn’t. Out of the nine losses so far in 14 games this year, Falcons loss by a touchdown or less in seven games. They are in games just have to finish.
A Look at Next Year
Falcons have three games remaining in the season. Ridder will play the remaining games with no chance of Quarterback Marcus Mariota suiting up in a Falcons uniform again. These last remaining games for Ridder will decide if the Falcons keep him as starter for next year. If he struggles and the Falcons think he is not the future, then a look at QB in the draft or free agency will more than likely be considered.
With former quarterback Matt Ryan ($44 million plus), wide receiver Calvin Ridley ($10 million plus), and wide receiver Julio Jones ($10 million plus) dead money finally dropping off the payroll for the Falcons, there will be over $72 million dollars for the Falcons to spend next year. This time next year this team will look totally different than right now. The salary cap for 2023 for each team is slated at $220 million, and the Falcons have $72 million plus to spend. Next year you might begin to see a playoff team being put together. But at this point the wait and see approach is what this team always seems to have to do.
Next Game
Atlanta Falcons (5-9) travel a little north on Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24 to face the Baltimore Ravens (9-5). Kickoff set for 1:00pm EST.
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