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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Mark Lane

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans says Falcons QB Desmond Ridder is surrounded by playmakers

The Atlanta Falcons may be on a two-game losing skid, but DeMeco Ryans is not overlooking a fellow 2-2 squad.

The Houston Texans face Atlanta Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Central Time at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for Week 5. Although the Texans held second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett and the Pittsburgh Steelers to 225 yards total offense last week, Ryans is not banking on the same fortune with Desmond Ridder.

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“With Ridder, I think just how he’s operating the offense, still a young player who is getting comfortable,” Ryans told reporters Oct. 4. “I think he just still needs time to grow and improve, but he’s doing a really good job of putting the ball where it needs to be and getting it into his playmakers hands.”

Distribution is what has helped Ridder lead the offense. Whether rookie Bijan Robinson or Tyler Allgeier, the Falcons have options in the backfield. Downfield there are also choices with tight end Kyle Pitts and receiver Drake London, both former first-round picks.

“What they’ve done there in Atlanta is they’ve surrounded him with a ton of playmakers, so it’s not just on the quarterback, there’s a lot of playmakers he can get the ball to,” said Ryans. “Tight ends, wide receivers, the backs — a lot of dynamic playmakers that surround Ridder, and they’ve done a really good job.”

The Falcons are coming off a 23-7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London in Week 4.

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