The Atlanta Falcons lost their first home game of the season on Sunday, a 24-16 loss to the Washington Commanders, and quarterback Desmond Ridder is back on the hot seat after his three-interception performance.
Despite Ridder’s critical turnovers, the Falcons did move the ball fairly well through the air. Head coach Arthur Smith highlighted the progress of the passing game while still being critical of Ridder’s turnovers.
“He’s one of the more accountable people I’ve coached,” Smith said about Ridder. “You can’t deny the passing game has gotten a lot better, but you have to get rid of those critical mistakes.”
Falcons head coach Arthur Smith on quarterback Desmond Ridder, who threw three interceptions yesterday: "He's one of the more accountable people I've coached. … You can't deny the passing game has gotten a lot better, but you have to get rid of those critical mistakes."
— Terrin Waack (@TerrinWaack) October 16, 2023
Sunday’s game was the team’s second in a row with over 300 passing yards. Ridder didn’t top the 300-yard passing mark once in his first eight starts, but he has now done so in back-to-back weeks.
For the season, Ridder has thrown for 1,380 passing yards, six touchdowns, six interceptions, and a passer rating of 81.3. CBS Sports suggested the Falcons bench Ridder, but Smith seems unlikely to do so this early in the year.
Watch Smith’s comments on Atlanta’s passing attack, as shared by ESPN’s Michael Rothstein below.
Falcons HC Arthur Smith on Atlanta’s quarterback play pic.twitter.com/HgrMc9KuHK
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) October 16, 2023
Arthur Smith: postgame presser
