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In a move that many sports fans actively hoped for, the Atlanta Falcons fired Head Coach Arthur Smith after another 10-loss season in three years.
The firing came hours after the Falcons were blown out 48-17 by the New Orleans Saints. Both teams missed the playoffs this year.
Falcons Fire Arthur Smith
In a statement, Falcons owner Arthur Blank said although Smith was good for the locker room, none of it translated to the field.
“Decisions like this are never easy and they never feel good,” said Blank. “We have profound respect for Coach Smith and appreciate all the hard work and dedication he has put into the Falcons over the last three years. He has been part of building a good culture in our football team, but the results on the field have not met our expectations. After significant thought and reflection, we have determined the best way forward for our team is new leadership in the head coaching position.”
Smith became the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons in January 2021, succeeding Dan Quinn. Prior to joining the Falcons, Smith had served as the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans, where he gained recognition for his work with their offense. If there have been any developments regarding Arthur Smith’s status as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons since then, I would recommend checking the latest sources for the most up-to-date information.
Final Word
If you watch the Falcons, you saw that they were a team that could never get over the hump. We’ll see if quarterback Desmond Ridder can improve with another coach.
If you’re looking to get hired in Atlanta right now, there’s a very real possibility that you can land your dream job.
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The Atlanta Falcons finished the season with 10 losses yet again, including stinking up the final game 48-17 to the hapless New Orleans Saints. As a result, head coach Arthur Blank was fired.
The Falcons had an up and down season, but they if they develop (of as some say change) the quarterback position, they have a lot of room to grow.
Falcons Finish Season 7-10
Smith took on the role of head coach for the Atlanta Falcons on January 15, 2021, leading the team for three seasons. Throughout his tenure, the Falcons maintained a consistent 7-10 record each season. His time in Atlanta concludes with an overall record of 21-30.
Despite the early struggles, the Falcons still had a good chance in the NFC South with one week left, but they needed some help.
How did the Falcons do over the course of the season? Let’s take a look.
Here Is The 2023 Atlanta Falcons Schedule
Date Opponent Time and Location Scores / Tickets Sept. 10, 2023 Carolina Panthers 1 p..m. at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta 24-10 – W Sept. 17, 2023 Green Bay Packers 1 p..m. at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta 25-24 W Sept. 24, 2023 Detroit Lions 1 p.m. at Ford Field, Detroit 6-20 L Oct. 1, 2023 Jacksonville Jaguars 1 p..m. at Wembly Stadium, London 7-23 L Oct. 8, 2023 Houston Texans 1 p..m. at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta 21-19 W Oct. 15, 2023 Washington Commanders 1 p..m. at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta 24-16 L Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023 Tampa Bay Bucs Raymond James Stadium, 1 p.m. 16-13 W Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023 Tennessee Titans Nissan Stadium, Nashville 28-23 L Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023 Minnesota Vikings 1 p..m. at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta 31-28 L Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023 Arizona Cardinals 4 p.m. State Farm Stadium at Glendale, AZ 25-23 L Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 BYE WEEK Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023 New Orleans Saints 1 p..m. at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta 24-15 W Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023 New York Jets 1 p.m. at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey 13-8 W Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023 Tampa Bay Bucs 1 p..m. at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta 29-25 L Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023 Carolina Panthers Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC 9-7 L Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023 Indianapolis Colts 1 p..m. at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta 29-10 W Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023 Chicago Bears 1 p.m. at Soldier Field, Chicago 37-17 L Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024 New Orleans Saints 1 p.m. at Caesars Super Dome, New Orleans Football fans are excited about the Falcons and the moves they’ve made behind quarterback Desmond Ridder. HOw many games will the Falcons win? That remains to be seen. Some people are saying at least 11 games. I think 10 is reasonable given their strength of schedule at home.
They will have to go through the Detroit Lions at Ford Field, Chicago and the always-tough New Orleans Saints in the season finale.
Are The Atlanta Falcons On Thursday Night Football?
The Falcons are one of four teams without any primetime games. The other teams are Arizona, Houston and Indianapolis.
Here are teams with primetime games:
- Buffalo, Dallas, Los Angeles Chargers, Kansas City (6 games)
- Green Bay, New York Giants, Minnesota, Las Vegas, Philadelphia (5 games)
- Baltimore, Cincinnati, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, New England, Pittsburgh (4 games)
- Miami, New Orleans, Jacksonville, Seattle (4 games)
- Carolina, Cleveland, Los Angeles Rams, Tennessee, Tampa Bay (2 games)
- Washington (1 game)
Week 1: Falcons 24, Panthers 10
With the Atlanta Falcons victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, the Dirty Birds are over .500 for first time since finishing 10-6 in 2017. That was the league’s longest active drought of not being over .500.
Atlanta started their 2023 season off with a thrilling 24-10 win against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes Benz Stadium. The game was the NFL debut of rookie Bryce Young, the starting quarterback of the Panthers.
The Falcons broke open a tight game behind three turnovers, including two interceptions by Atlanta safety Emoni Bates.
The Falcons also snapped a five-game losing streak in season openers (was longest active streak and longest streak in franchise history).
Week 2: Falcons 25, Packers 24
A close game came down to a field goal as Atlanta had to come from behind to beat the Green Bay Packers and Jordan Love.
The Atlanta Falcons defended home field on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, with a thrilling 25-24 victory over the Green Bay Packers.
Week 3: Falcons 6, Lions 20
The Falcons lost to the Detroit Lions 20-6 on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. The Falcons offense could get nothing going as quarterback Desmond Ridder was sacked seven times.
Week 4: Jaguars 24, Falcons 6
The Atlanta Falcons lost 24-6 to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL’s international game on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023.
The Falcons defense and offense looked listless against the Jaguars.
Week 5: Falcons 21, Texans 19
In a battle of young quarterbacks, Desmond Ridder outdueled CJ Stroud in the Falcons’ 21-19 victory against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023.
Ridder turned in the best performance in his career, throwing for over 300 yards and limiting his mistakes.
Week 6: Washington Commanders 24, Falcons 16
The Atlanta Falcons lost 24-16 against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 in another mistake-filled game by quarterback Desmond Ridder.
Week 7: Falcons 16, Tampa Bay 13
The Falcons won 16-13 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023 in another mistake-prone game by quarterback Desmond Ridder.
Despite Ridder’s struggles, he had some key plays with his arm and legs against Tampa.
Week 8: Falcons 23, Titans 28
The Falcons had a chance to win the game against the Tennessee Titans late, even after losing starting quarterback Desmond Ridder to a concussion, but they just couldn’t get it done.
Week 9: Falcons 28, Vikings 31
The Atlanta Falcons had to start backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke due to Desmond Ridder still being in concussion protocol. During the game, Atlanta underestimated quarterback Josh Dobbs, who used his legs to scramble for first downs and throw darts at the last minute. The Vikings escaped with a three-point win while the Falcons lost again.
Week 10: Falcons 23, Arizona 25
The Falcons decided to go with Taylor Heinicke again at quarterback for the second week in a row. The Arizona Cardinals did just enough to win against the Atlanta Falcons, 25-23 as Tyler Murray threw for 249 yards and a touchdown.
Week 11: BYE Week
Week 12: Falcons 24, Saints 15
The New Orleans Saints came to Atlanta looking to cement their lead in the division. Instead, they left as losers after Ridder and Bijan Robinson ran all over them for a 24-15 victory.
Week 13: Falcons 7, Panthers 9
The hapless Carolina Panthers couldn’t find the end zone against the Falcons, who were atop the NFC South. But on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, Carolina didn’t need a touchdown to beat the Falcons 9-7 in Charlotte.
The Falcons were up 7-6 and driving with about 7 minutes in the game when Desmond Ridder threw an ill-advised dart into traffic at the Carolina 10-yard line. The pass was picked off.
The Panthers then drove down the field, using up the rest of the game clock, to win the game with an easy field goal in the closing seconds.
Week 17: Falcons 17, Bears 37
Taylor Heinicke threw for 163 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions as the Falcons lost 37-17 to the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023.
Week 18: Saints 48, Falcons 17
The Falcons scored first after their defense limited the Saints to a short opening drive of four plays and 10 yards. Quarterback Desmond Ridder then orchestrated a seven-play, 79-yard drive culminating in a 15-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jonnu Smith. Wide receiver Scotty Miller contributed a 56-yard catch that covered most of the distance.
However, the lead was short-lived as the Saints responded with an 18-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Derek Carr to wide receiver A.T. Perry, tying the game with approximately five minutes left in the quarter.
Final Word
No matter how many wins or losses, one thing we know for sure is that the Falcons will make things interesting.
When it comes to sports and exercise, you should always make time. That’s why AtlantaFi.com wants to help you with your journey. Check out how to make a home gym for cheap and even lose pounds in a hurry. -
The Atlanta Falcons lost to the New Orleans Saints in the last game of the season, but the classless act at the end of the game got Arthur Smith hot.
Update: Smith was fired after the Falcons’ 7-10 record.
Why Arthur Smith Was So Hot At Dennis Allen
After the Saints went into victory formation with only seconds left in the game, the Saints quickly changed into a run play, allowing their running back to score a touchdown.
“Nobody wants to end the season like that,” Smith told reporters after the game. “Credit to them. They made the plays, certainly in the second half. It got out of hand.”
After the game, Saints Head Coach Dennis Allen said that backup quarterback Jameis Winston changed the play and went rogue, opting to score the touchdown.
Allen then apologized to the Falcons.
Jamies Winston also apologized after saying that “the team” made the decision to score a run touchdown instead of kneeling on the ball to run the clock out.
Here is Winston’s take on why he did what he did.
The move angered many in sports talk TV, including Shannon Sharpe, who said that he would cut soon-to-be free agent Winston over the late TD.
“That’s a loser’s mentality,” Sharpe said about the move. “The defense has conceded. If you want to run the ball, let the defense line up. Don’t you trick them … that’s going rogue.”
Listen to what Sharpe had to say about it.
After Tampa Bay clinched the NFC South title, the Saints needed some help to make the playoffs.
The Seattle Seahawks needed to lose to the Arizona Cardinals and the Green Bay Packers needed to lose to the Chicago Bears. Both the Seahawks and Packers won, which means the Saints and Falcons have been eliminated from the playoffs.
When it comes to sports and exercise, you should always make time. That’s why AtlantaFi.com wants to help you with your journey. Check out how to make a home gym for cheap and even lose pounds in a hurry.
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We know that you don’t want to contribute to the obesity crisis that this country continues to propagate. You want to get your body right. But how? You should start with light workouts.
Low-intensity workouts are a catchphrase for exercising at a comfortable rate until your body can handle more.
What Are Some Low-Intensity Workouts I Can Do?
In this article, I’m going to show you some low-intensity workouts that you can do right now.
Why should you engage in low-intensity workouts? One reason is because it can help boost your cardiovascular health.
Here are some workouts you can do today:
Strength Training
Bodyweight exercises allow you to use your own bodyweight for resistance with exercises like squats, lunges, push-ups, planks, and dips. Start with modifications if needed and gradually increase the difficulty.
Resistance Bands
Using lightweight resistance bands adds a bit of challenge to bodyweight exercises without the impact of free weights.
Sometimes, you can incorporate light weights for added resistance, increasing strength and muscle tone.
Walking
Regular light exercise, like brisk walking for 30 minutes most days of the week, can strengthen your heart, improve blood circulation, and lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.
In Atlanta, you can find a scenic route in a local park, explore a new neighborhood or the ever-growing Beltline. Aim for at least 30 minutes most days of the week.
Check out Atlanta’s best parks to walk or jog in.
Swimming
No matter the season, you can find a swimming pool near you to get some cardio in.
Swimming is a gentle on your joints and perfect for a cooling workout. Lap swimming or water aerobics are both great options.
Atlanta best swimming pools: Hours and Locations.
Cycling
Not only is cycling a great way to explore the city, but it does a body good. A leisurely bike ride around town or on a dedicated path is a low-impact way to enjoy the outdoors while getting some exercise.
Dancing
Getting your groove on has helath benefits as well. Yes, cutting a rug can trim your waistline.
Put on your favorite music and dance like nobody’s watching! Dancing is a fun and social way to get your heart rate up.
Where to go dancing in Atlanta.
Zumba Or Pilates
Many people work up a sweat in yoga studios all around Atlanta via Zumba classes and similar sessions.
These mind-body practices combine gentle movements with deep breathing exercises, promoting flexibility, strength, and relaxation.
Check out these Zumba classes in Atlanta.
Mind-Body Activities:
- Tai Chi: This gentle movement practice focuses on balance, coordination, and mindfulness, improving overall well-being.
- Qigong: Similar to Tai Chi, Qigong involves slow, coordinated movements and deep breathing, promoting relaxation and stress reduction.
- Gardening: Gardening is a surprisingly active hobby that combines light exercise with the satisfaction of working outdoors and tending to your plants.
Final Word
Listen to your body and take rest days when needed. Start slow and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts as you get fitter.
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Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith came, he saw and concurred. Quarterback Desmond Ridder can’t deliver what the team needs over the remainder of the season.
Ridder has been benched by Smith, according to news reports. If you watch the Falcons, you know that this is the second time this season that the Falcons have chosen to sit their starting quarterback.
In his stead, Gwinnett football standout Taylor Heinicke will resume the starting role as signal caller. In three games for the Falcons this season, Heinicke has thrown for 498 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
Confidence evidently waned after the Falcons’ 9-7 defeat to the hapless Carolina Panthers last week.
What Are Desmond Ridder’s Stats For the 2023 Season?
Ridder threw for 300 yards three times during the season, but was plagued by turnovers and bad decisions in clutch moments. Here are his 2023 stats:
GameGame CMP%Completions percentage YDSPassing yards TDPassing touchdowns INTInterceptions thrown RatingPasser rating Dec 17Dec 17@@Panthers 60.060.0 152 11 11 79.679.6 Dec 10Dec 10vsvsBuccaneers 65.065.0 347 11 11 90.390.3 Dec 3Dec 3@@Jets 44.444.4 121 11 00 70.170.1 Nov 26Nov 26vsvsSaints 61.961.9 168 11 22 63.363.3 Nov 12Nov 12@@Cardinals 66.766.7 39 00 00 84.784.7 Oct 29Oct 29@@Titans 66.766.7 71 00 00 82.382.3 Oct 22Oct 22@@Buccaneers 76.076.0 250 00 00 107.1107.1 Oct 15Oct 15vsvsCommanders 59.659.6 307 22 33 66.566.5 Oct 8Oct 8vsvsTexans 75.775.7 329 11 00 111.2111.2 Oct 1Oct 1@@Jaguars 61.361.3 191 11 22 62.762.7 Sep 24Sep 24@@Lions 55.355.3 201 00 00 70.270.2 Sep 17Sep 17vsvsPackers 59.459.4 237 11 11 79.879.8 Sep 10Sep 10vsvsPanthers 83.383.3 115 11 00 111.8111.8 Regular Season 63.363.3 2,528 1010 1010 82.2 The Flacons are 6-8 with three games to go on an easy schedule. They are fighting for a playoff spot despite their record due to the abysmal play in the NFC South.
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The Georgia Bulldogs will play Florida State Seminoles on Dec. 30, 2023 at the Orange Bowl in Miami.
The Seminoles will be looking to make a statement after the undefeated team was left out of the College Football Playoff, becoming the only undefeated Power Five team to be left out of the playoffs in the 10 years the four-team format has existed.
Georgia vs. Florida State in Orange Bowl
Critics of the controversy surrounding the snub say the move has tarnished college football and will hurt the credibility of the sport.
UGA Coach Kirby Smart said that many of his players are hurt that Georgia didn’t get into the College Football Playoff with one loss.
”We’ve got a whole hornets nest of players who are mad they didn’t get in,” he said in a recent interview.
While you can expect some UGA players with NFL draft prospects to weigh whether to play in the game, Georgia running back Kendall Milton told reporters that he will suit up against Florida State.
“There’s no way I would abandon my brothers,” Milton said. “I’ve been through hell and back with these boys, so there’s no way that I won’t take every opportunity that I can to be able to play with them.”
The Georgia didn’t think their 2023 schedule would end this way. They lost to the Alabama Crimson Tide 27-24 on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023 in a showdown between the best teams in the SEC.
The Dawgs, which saw their 29-game win streak end, pulled up just short in their bid to win a third straight SEC Championship and national title after playing from a 10-point lead for most of the second half.
Final Score
The College Football playoffs feature a quartet of perennial juggernauts.
The No. 1 Michigan Wolverines will play the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide in the Rose Bowl semifinal. The Washington Huskies, No. 2, will face the No. 3 Texas Longhorns in the Sugar Bowl semifinal.
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The Georgia Bulldogs lost to the Alabama Crimson Tide 27-24 on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023 in a showdown between the best teams in the SEC.
The Dawgs, which saw their 29-game win streak end, pulled up just short in their bid to win a third straight SEC Championship and national title after playing from a 10-point lead for most of the second half.
UGA quarterback Carson Beck had a solid game, finishing with 249 yards passing. He also rushed for two touchdowns from the one yard line.
Georgia’s outstanding tight end Brock Bowers, who had 51 yards receiving, looked to be not 100% since coming back from injury two weeks ago. Ladd McConkey finished the night with 38 yards and seemed to be limping after a first-half collision.
On the other side of the field, Alabama freshman quarterback Jalen Milroe officially put the SEC on notice that he is coming strong in 2024. Tide Head Coach Nick Saban said after the game that the victory took not only Milroe, but the whole squad.
“This is a team. These guys here are what you call a team,” Saban said. “This is a great team. They play together as a team. They overcame adversity. They showed today and proved that they can win against anybody.”
The loss means that Georgia may lose out on a chance to make it to the College Football Playoff, which Head Coach Kirby Smart does not agree with.
“You’re going to tell me, someone is sitting in that committee room and doesn’t think that Georgia team is one of the best four teams, I don’t know if they’re in the right profession,” Smart said after the game.
Final Play
Will Georgia make it to the Big Dance? The Dawgs’ strength of schedule is impeccable. We will have to wait and see.
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The Atlanta Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints, 24-15 on Sunday, November 25, 2023 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta. It was the return of Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder, who had missed the previous two games due to injury and the coach’s decision.
Ridder looked sharp and relaxed in his most confident win of his NFL career. That bodes well for the Falcons as they get into the teeth of their 2023 schedule.
Here are three things we learned about Sunday’s victory.
Falcons Won Big at the Line of Scrimmage
“They did a good job of blocking us up front,” said Saints coach Dennis Allen. “We will look at schematically what we can do to be better there. That was a big factor, them winning the line of scrimmage.”
Not only did the Falcons’ offensive and defensive lines rule the day, but the Falcons safety Jessie Bates came up with a pick six that ushered in the scoring for Atlanta. Here’s how it all went down, courtesy of former NFL quarterback turned analyst RGIII.
Bijan Robinson Is a Star
The Saints had no answer for the Falcons rushing attack, led by rookie Bijan Robinson, who ran for 91 yards and a touchdown to finish with 123 total yards. He also caught a touchdown.
The Falcons (5-6) ran for 228 yards between rushes from Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, Cordarrelle Patterson and Ridder.
Behind the running game, the Falcons were able to ice the game and play keep away from the Saints in the closing minutes of the game.
“That was encouraging,” said Falcons coach Arthur Smith. “That’s where we need to be to close out game.”
Desmond Ridder Shows Confidence
Although he threw two interceptions, both of Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu, Ridder and the Falcons overcame those turnovers to get the win.
“What you like about him is the way he came back,” Coach Smith said of Ridder fighting through his struggles. “He doesn’t flinch. He’s resilient and we’ll keep working.”
“However it came, good, bad or ugly, go out and get a win,” quarterback Ridder said after the game.
Final Play
The Falcons now are in a tie with the Saints for first-place in the NFC South. Should the playoffs start today, the Falcons would get the nod due to their head-to-head battle with New Orleans and their undefeated division record (4-0).
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Atlanta will be the host city for the opening match of the 2024 Copa América, the world’s oldest soccer tournament, which will be held in the United States.
The announcement was made by CONMEBOL, the South American Football Confederation. The United States is co-hosting the tournament with Colombia.
If you want to know more about Copa América and Georgia’s largest city, keep reading.
What Is The Copa América?
The Copa América is a major international soccer tournament that has been held since 1916. It is the oldest continental soccer championship in the world, and it is considered to be one of the most prestigious tournaments in the sport.
CONMEBOL’s 10 South American national teams are set to participate in the Copa América next year along with six national teams with CONCACAF (The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football).
When Will The Copa América Take Place In Atlanta?
The opening match is scheduled for June 20, 2024 in downtown Atlanta’s Mercedes Benz Stadium, home of Atlanta United FC, the city’s soccer club. The match will mark the start of the 48th edition of the world’s oldest soccer competition for National Teams.
Atlanta’s entry into the Copa América will be the first time that the tournament has been held outside of South America.
The Mercedes-Benz Stadium is a state-of-the-art stadium that has a capacity of over 71,000 people. It is home to the Atlanta United MLS team and the Atlanta Falcons NFL team.
Final Word
Atlanta is for tourists, but it’s also for locals. If you want to explore Georgia’s largest city, do it on your terms and check out the fun, cool and new things happening in Atlanta this weekend and even on the weekday. You can start downtown, and get it crackin’ in Buckhead. Check out the newest Atlanta restaurants, beautiful parks and unexplored spots you’ve only heard about. AtlantaFi your experience!
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The Atlanta Falcons are going to re-insert Desmond Ridder back into the starting lineup at quarterback for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints, the team has announced.
The Falcons’ plan is for Ridder to be the starter for the rest of the season.
An Atlanta win on Sunday would put them in first place in the NFC South with a 5-6 record. The Falcons have the easiest schedule in the NFL.
Ridder told reporters that he is more than good to go against New Orleans, which is always a tough opponent.
“My job is to be a starting quarterback in this league,” Ridder was quoted as saying. “And so every day I come in here and everyone, no matter quarterback, running back, doesn’t matter your position, wants to be that starter.
Ridder was benched two games ago after suffering a concussion against the Tennessee Titans. The Falcons went with second-string quarterback Taylor Heinicke against the Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals but he has gone down with a hamstring injury.
Falcons Coach Arthur Smith said that if Ridder gets hurt, Atlanta would go with third-string signal caller Logan Woodside.
Smith said that Ridder has used his time on the bench wisely.
“I think he’s done a really good job of that and taking advantage of what can be perceived as a major negative and trying to turn it into a positive,” Smith told media after practice Monday.
On the season, Ridder has rushed for four touchdowns, completed 65.4% of his passes for 1,740 yards, 6 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. He has also lost six lost fumbles.