NFL analyst tells why it's time for Falcons to bench Desmond Ridder
It's time for the Atlanta Falcons to bench Desmond Ridder for veteran backup Taylor Heinicke. At least, that's what CBS Sports NFL analyst Jeff Kerr would say if you asked him today. In Kerr's most recent column on "Week 6 overreactions", Kerr explained why now is the perfect time to move on from Ridder: Ridder […]
It's time for the Atlanta Falcons to bench Desmond Ridder for veteran backup Taylor Heinicke.
At least, that's what CBS Sports NFL analyst Jeff Kerr would say if you asked him today.
In Kerr's most recent column on "Week 6 overreactions", Kerr explained why now is the perfect time to move on from Ridder:
Ridder threw three poor interceptions that highly contributed to the Falcons falling to the Commanders, finishing 28 of 47 for 307 yards and touchdowns for a 66.5 rating. Ridder continues to throw passes into lanes that aren't available as he should have more interceptions than the six he already has.
The two interceptions Ridder threw late in the fourth quarter were brutal, especially the one in the red zone with Atlanta down 24-16. The Falcons outgained the Commanders 402 yards to 193 and picked up 25 first downs to Washington's 13 — but lost because of Ridder's three miscues.
Ridder is supposed to be a game manager, yet struggles when the run game is taken away. Perhaps the Falcons should give Taylor Heinicke a shot, as they are still in the NFC South race at 3-3. They could be punting 2023 by keeping Ridder in, – CBS Sports Jeff Kerr.
Many critics had written Ridder off in Week 4 after the Falcons had terrible back-to-back losses to the Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Ridder responded to that criticism by having a career day against the Houston Texans, completing 28 of 37 passes for 329 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions.
That 21-19 win gave the Falcons and many fans a lot of hope moving forward, but that just isn't the case anymore as Ridder has only proven how inconsistent he really is.
Whether or not Falcons head coach Arthur Smith decides to bench Ridder for Heinicke remains to be seen, but it's worth noting that he didn't give up on Marcus Mariota until it was way too late last season.
There’s something to celebrate in Falcons’ loss to Commanders
Thanks to Calais Campbell.
