Falcons HC Arthur Smith 'didn't consider' benching Desmond Ridder vs. Jags

The Atlanta Falcons have a nearly 10-hour flight home from London that's going to feel even longer following a brutal 23-7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.  Through the first two quarters, quarterback Desmond Ridder completed 9 of 14 throws for 73 yards along with two bad interceptions.  Despite being down 0-17 at halftime and head […]

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Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Falcons have a nearly 10-hour flight home from London that's going to feel even longer following a brutal 23-7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

Through the first two quarters, quarterback Desmond Ridder completed 9 of 14 throws for 73 yards along with two bad interceptions. 

Despite being down 0-17 at halftime and head coach Arthur Smith "did not consider" benching Ridder for backup Taylor Heinicke, according to ESPN's Laura Rutledge. 

Ridder came out strong in the third quarter with a touchdown pass to Drake London on the Falcons' first drive. 

However, it all went downhill from there as Ridder finished the day completing 19 of 31 passes for 191 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions and a lost fumble. 

"I did a terrible job of taking care of the ball," Ridder told reporters after the game. 

Ridder was also sacked four times by the Jaguars. 

Through four games, Ridder has logged 744 passing yards, three touchdowns to three interceptions. He also has 47 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown and two lost fumbles.

During his post-game presser, Falcons head coach Arthur Smith may have hinted at possibly benching Ridder for Heinicke by next week. 

"We've got to get this thing jumpstarted," Smith said on the loss to Jacksonville. Whatever we have to do to get this thing jumpstarted, that's what we're going to do." 

The Falcons take on the Houston Texans (1-2) at home in Week 5.