Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Falcons have a critical game in Week 18 against the New Orleans Saints. To have any chance at making the playoffs, they will have to win this game. Now, the Falcons have revealed a critical update about their quarterback situation for Week 18. 

Desmond Ridder Starts, Taylor Heinicke Is Out 

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Atlanta Falcons are going with QB Desmond Ridder in Week 18. Veteran QB Taylor Heinicke will be inactive today. Officially, he is listed as the third-string emergency quarterback for today’s game. 

In Week 16, Heinicke suffered an ankle injury. Before Week 17’s game against the Chicago Bears, Heinicke was trying to play through said injury. He managed to start that game but ended up being taken out in the middle of it due to an ankle injury. Now, Heinicke is not able to play through it for today’s game. 

Atlanta Falcons Moving Forward

As mentioned above, the Falcons have to win this game to have any chance of making the playoffs. The most realistic way Atlanta can make the playoffs is by winning the NFC South . To do that, they have to win this game and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have to lose to the Carolina Panthers. 

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Cardinals head coach warns not to bet against Kyler Murray
Details emerge on Jason Kelce’s role at ESPN
Rangers defenseman wins Mark Messier Leadership Award
Ex-NFL head coach takes over as Arena Football League commish
Yankees young stud takes major step in return from injury
See top groupings for Rounds 1 and 2 at 2024 PGA Championship
Former Bruins winger dead at 75
Brewers lose team-leading home run hitter to injured list
Super Bowl-winning safety plans to retire after 2024 season
Canucks' Nikita Zadorov takes a shot at NHL over teammate's suspension
Sports radio star Doug Gottlieb to coach college hoops while staying on the air
NFL scores big win in legal battle with ex-Raiders head coach
Astros 3B breaks out of slump in contract year
Cardinals sign second-round CB
Micah Parsons makes history with new Bleacher Report deal
Celtics assistant named candidate for Lakers HC job
Rudy Gobert fined $75,000 for gesture in Game 4
Former Canadiens GM on Blue Jackets' radar
Cubs designate lefty reliever for assignment
Two-time Super Bowl champ signs with AFC contender