ATLANTA: The Atlanta Falcons are attempting to downplay any speak of a quarterback controversy.
Good luck with that.
After Desmond Ridder struggled via the primary half towards the Tennessee Titans, the Falcons (4-4) turned to Taylor Heinicke the remainder of the best way.
The swap led to placing offensive enchancment, although it wasn’t sufficient to stop a 28-23 loss.
Coach Arthur Smith despatched all types of blended indicators Monday, stressing that Ridder stays the starter, however leaving open the opportunity of going with Heinicke for the subsequent recreation towards the Vikings.
Ridder will probably be re-evaluated this week for a doable concussion, with a starter for Week 9 to be introduced on Wednesday.
“I’ve gotta see where he’s at,” Smith mentioned. “I’ve gotta see if that’s the best thing for this team this week. Obviously, it’s not something I’m concerned (about) long term. He’s done a lot of good things. But we’ve gotta go find a way to win this game. If that’s Taylor, that’s what we’ll do. My concern is Des.”
Heinicke led the Falcons on 4 scoring drives — two touchdowns and two discipline targets — whereas finishing 12 of 21 passes for 171 yards. He would possibly’ve completed off the comeback from a 14-3 halftime deficit if not for a fourth-down drop by Van Jefferson on Atlanta’s closing possession.
Ridder’s efficiency within the first half was dismal, main the Falcons to have him checked for concussion signs. Even although he was cleared to return, Smith determined to go along with Heinicke within the second half.
The coach mentioned the quarterback change was primarily primarily based on Ridder’s well being, not his efficiency, and Heinicke insisted he’s nonetheless the backup.
“This is Desmond’s team,” Heinicke mentioned. “Obviously there were a couple of hiccups here and there, but he’s progressing every week.”
Ridder didn’t progress on this one.
The second-year quarterback was sacked 5 instances and misplaced one other fumble — his tenth turnover up to now 5 video games. The Falcons had simply 89 complete yards, 35 web passing yards and 5 first downs within the first half.
“At the end of the day, it’s a game of being able to come out and execute,” Ridder mentioned. “There’s a lot of things in all games that we can clean up and be better at.”
With Heinicke operating the offense, the Falcons put up 12 first downs, 253 complete yards and 167 web passing yards.
“Taylor came in and had great command of the offense,” Jefferson mentioned. “At the end of day, whoever the coach puts in there, they put in there and we just got to go with it.”
WHAT’S WORKING
The Falcons rushed for 140 yards towards the Titans, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. After enjoying sparingly the earlier week due to sick heath, rookie Bijan Robinson led the best way with 62 yards on 11 carries and scored the primary dashing landing of his younger NFL profession.
WHAT NEEDS HELP
Tennessee rookie Will Levis shredded the Falcons’ secondary, matching the NFL document by throwing 4 landing passes in his professional debut. Safeties Richie Grant and Jessie Bates III had been each overwhelmed on lengthy TD performs.
STOCK UP
Heinicke positive seemed like a No. 1 quarterback on this one. While Smith seems decided to stay with Ridder because the starter, the Falcons count on to make the playoffs this season. There could come some extent the place they resolve Heinicke gives the very best probability of reaching that aim.
STOCK DOWN
Even if Ridder retains the beginning job, Heinicke’s efficiency places the younger quarterback squarely on the new seat.
“Obviously Taylor came in and did great, did the job, got moving, and put points on the board,” Smith mentioned. “At the end of the day, it’s a game of being able to come out and execute.”
INJURIES
After a season of excellent fortune, the damage bug lastly caught up with the Falcons at Tennessee. The line of defense sustained a devastating loss when sort out Grady Jarrett went down for the season with a torn ACL. Jarrett has began each recreation for the Falcons since 2018 and was the undisputed chief of a protection that underwent a serious overhaul this season. His dominating presence in the midst of the road will probably be unattainable to exchange, although the Falcons do have strong depth up entrance. WR Drake London (groin), FB Keith Smith (concussion), DT LaCale London (knee) and CB Mike Hughes (concussion) additionally had been injured towards the Titans, making it a troublesome day throughout.
KEY NUMBER
2 — The Falcons have solely two interceptions since Bates picked off two passes within the season-opening win over Carolina. The Atlanta cornerbacks have but to get a choose; Bates leads the workforce with three interceptions and Grant has the opposite.
NEXT STEPS
The Falcons return residence to face Minnesota (4-4) after splitting two highway video games. Atlanta remains to be tied for first within the mediocre NFC South, however this workforce has but to win greater than two video games in a row since Smith took over as coach in 2021. Certainly, extra consistency is required with this regime on the halfway level of its third season.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
