Despite the 2-0 start for the Atlanta Falcons, the reception around starting quarterback Desmond Ridder has been up-and-down, to say the least. The second-year product out of Cincinnati still has his fair share of supporters and believers, while the same can be said about the doubters.
Although not among those critics are his teammates and coaches, in fact, following the come-from-behind win against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, many were singing his praises.
“I saw a leader who made some plays when opportunities came, and I thought he played great today," Falcons left tackle Jake Matthews said of Ridder. "The way he led the huddle and called the plays, you could tell we were confident and on the same page. I have high praises for him.”
In years past, when the Falcons went down by 12 points, as a 40-yard Jordan Love touchdown pass gave the Packers a 24-12 lead heading into the fourth quarter would've been the dagger in the minds of fans.
However, that certainly wasn't the way Ridder and the offense thought of it as the Falcons responded with an eight-play drive that ended in a six-yard touchdown run for the second-year signal-caller.
Then, after a quick three-and-out forced by the Atlanta defense, the Falcons would manage to a field a few plays after Ridder hit his running back Bijan Robinson for a 29-yard gain, which put them in scoring position.
After another Green Bay three-and-out, Ridder drove the Falcons down the field, completing three of his four passes for 41 yards to help set up what would become the game-winning 25-yard field goal to give the team their first 2-0 start since 2017.
While the Falcons and even Ridder himself acknowledge that his performance wasn't flawless as he threw his first career interception on the team's first offensive drive, his response to the mistake was noteworthy as the Falcons gear up to face the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Ford Field.
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