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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Matt Urben

Arthur Smith comments on Desmond Ridder, passing game

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.”

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.

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