Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

With QB Desmond Ridder, Falcons may have better shot in NFC South

By Cory Woodroof | Last updated 12/8/22

The Atlanta Falcons made the move on Thursday to swap out quarterback Marcus Mariota for rookie Desmond Ridder.

It's a move that signals a continued effort by the franchise to firmly rebuild the team rather than gasp for a playoff spot with a struggling veteran.

However, Ridder's upside might luck the Falcons into that improbable playoff spot if everything goes right.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are leading the NFC South through 13 weeks, but the margin is slim.

The Tom Brady-led Bucs are as vulnerable as ever, needing a dramatic, 13-point comeback to get a Monday win over the lowly New Orleans Saints.

While Tampa Bay holds the top spot, the division is still up for grabs. If Ridder can give the Falcons a new dimension in the passing attack, it's possible he's able to help them close out more close games.

NFL coaches and scouts were reportedly highly endeared to Ridder's potential leading up to his Falcons selection.

Desmond Ridder won a lot of fans among scouts and coaches during the pre-draft process. Now he gets his shot as the #Falcons’ starting QB after this week’s bye. https://t.co/gWz8HQ6uBW pic.twitter.com/44KKZ8hG8q
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 8, 2022

Ridder also impressed during his preseason reps.

In the preseason, #Falcons starting QB Desmond Ridder went 34/56 with 431 yards, 3 TDs and 2 INTs.

He had a game-winning throw against Detroit in one of those games.

Time to see if the rookie is for real. pic.twitter.com/xDZJyA0clx
— Miles Garrett (@MilesGarrettTV) December 8, 2022

The Bucs are the favorite to take the division, but they are by no means a lock. The Falcons might be able to slide up a spot from second place to take the title if Ridder gives them what Mariota couldn't.

The team faces New Orleans, Baltimore, Arizona and Tampa Bay in its last four games. It's not the easiest schedule, but it's a workable one.

The Saints look lost, and the Panthers just don't have any consistency at quarterback. If the Bucs can't settle on any consistency, maybe the Falcons sneak in. It's not the most likely scenario, but anything can happen in the NFL.

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