The Atlanta Falcons (3-2) ended a two-game losing streak with a clutch 21-19 win over the Houston Texans (2-3) on Sunday. The offense overcame a slow start and finally came through when the team needed it most.
Quarterback Desmond Ridder put up a career-high 329 passing yards and led a game-winning drive. After all the talk about Kyle Pitts last week, he led the team with seven catches for 87 receiving yards.
Buy Falcons TicketsBijan Robinson had the play of the game, but fans on Twitter mostly focused on Ridder after the game.
Desmond Ridder’s stats: 28 of 37, 329 yards, 1 TD, No Interceptions, No Sacks.
Back to you Jimmie #DirtyBirds #RiseUp
pic.twitter.com/LdGvGyYiW3— A M B E Z Y (@bezy_bby) October 8, 2023
To be honest, I'm not shocked at how Ridder played today. He plays well at home. Just look at the numbers. I asked coach about that last week. The shock comes in when he throws plays well having thrown the football 37 times.
— Jarvis Davis (@JarvisD90) October 8, 2023
Falcons move to 3-2 and can apparently only move the ball at home. Very nice performance by Desmond Ridder.
— Falcoholic Matt (@FalcoholicMatt) October 8, 2023
RIDDDDDDDDEEEEERRRRRRRRR pic.twitter.com/J9C5HoxJJM
— Eric Robinson (@_Eric_Robinson) October 8, 2023
Statement made 🫡
— BIG ISAAC (@BIG__ISAAC) October 8, 2023
Koo drills it and the Falcons win 21-19. Ridder's best game as a pro, another good effort from the defense, and the kind of game you gotta win at home.
Can't overstate how big that win was, no matter how bumpy the road was to it
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) October 8, 2023
notes:
1) I figured #9 could have solid games, but that output is genuinely surprising. Is that the exception though? Big for the team and his confidence.
2) this defense is one Alpha EDGE away from being lights out. By far the best tackling Falcons defense I’ve seen in AGES— Ev Glaze (@Everett_G07) October 8, 2023
Falcons win.
A lot of different narratives surrounding today’s game.
Another slow start on offense: they rebounded.
Defense kept the offense in the game
Desmond Ridder silenced a few critics today and Bijan Robinson is still that dude.
Lots to talk about. I’ll tell you all…
— Miles Garrett (@MilesGarrettTV) October 8, 2023
Desmond Ridder was pretty good today and as someone who never has and never will believe in him I have to say he proved me wrong today. However, I will continue to be a hater because it is funny and I’m not going to switch up now. I’ve planted my flag here
— dr. jxke 🧸 (@cantguardjake) October 8, 2023
Falcons HC on Desmond Ridder: “Pretty damn good.”
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) October 8, 2023
— GLOMAN2️⃣.0️⃣ (@AlfordGlo4) October 8, 2023
The Falcons leading receivers today was Kyle Pitts (seven receptions for 87 yards) and Drake London (six receptions for 78 yards). Desmond Ridder said this game was really about getting the ball in the hands of the ATL playmakers and letting them do their thing.
— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) October 8, 2023
Ryan Nielsen is the best coordinator the Falcons have hired not named Kyle Shanahan in the last 15 years
— Allen Strk (@allenstrk) October 8, 2023
Imagine being Kaleb McGary, getting injured in one game and they start having team photos https://t.co/wzPlQgJqwl
— Andy (@AndySGallagher) October 8, 2023
We don't have to re-evaluate this team after every single game. Ridder is a work in progress, as is this offense, and even the defense has stuff to clean up.
Through the frustration, we're seeing glimpses of what this can be. It's just about when they get there
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) October 8, 2023
Props to Desmond Ridder for one helluva performance today. Made this big time throw to set up Younghoe Koo for the game-winning FG.
Ridder went for 329 yards and 2 TDs. #Falcons improve to 3-2. https://t.co/ln1L0wxLw2
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 8, 2023
Me checking the TL after Desmond Ridder’s best game as a pro pic.twitter.com/fGj2SJl5Se
— (3-2) Rise Up Ridder (@RiseUpReader) October 8, 2023
I’m still here. I won’t be moving for a minute. pic.twitter.com/pAFjTYMNLC
— Eric Robinson (@_Eric_Robinson) October 8, 2023
We blacked out on the winning kick, sorry y’all 😂
📺 FOX | NFL+ pic.twitter.com/94qVO1AJbE
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) October 8, 2023
Heard the broadcast cut out for a lot of y'all right when Younghoe Koo was kicking the game-winning FG and omg that's anxiety inducing no matter who you are.
— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) October 8, 2023