Desmond Ridder
Desmond Ridder led an impressive drive for Atlanta in his preseason debut and the Falcons settled for a field goal with 2 seconds left for a 13-13 tie with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder is key to the Atlanta Falcons’ hopes for a winning season. Ridder has impressed teammates, coaches and management with his leadership in training camp after making only four starts last season as a rookie.
Arthur Smith revealed a new moustache on the Atlanta Falcons’ opening day of training camp. The coach acknowledged his self-described “lifestyle change” won’t win universal approval.
Quarterback Desmond Ridder, a third-round pick in 2022, and a new-look defense will be in the spotlight as the Atlanta Falcons open training camp looking to end a string of five consecutive losing seasons.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Desmond Ridder’s four-game audition as the Atlanta Falcons’ starting quarterback at the end of the 2022 season was crucial for the confidence of all players entering the 2023 season.
ATLANTA (AP) — Desmond Ridder’s status as the Atlanta Falcons’ starting quarterback was confirmed by his new backup, Taylor Heinicke, on Thursday.
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons released quarterback Marcus Mariota on Tuesday, a move that was expected after the veteran was benched late in the season.
Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank said Wednesday he is encouraged by the progress of quarterback Desmond Ridder and the potential of building around the rookie.
ATLANTA (AP) — Arthur Smith saw a glimpse of the Atlanta Falcons’ future, with an offense featuring rookies Desmond Ridder, Tyler Allgeier and Drake London.
ATLANTA (AP) — Desmond Ridder had almost a full season to plan how he would celebrate his first touchdown pass.
ATLANTA (AP) — While Atlanta rookie Desmond Ridder is still looking for his first TD pass, Tampa Bay’s Tom Brady is poised to add to his already impressive list of NFL records.
ATLANTA (AP) — Desmond Ridder may not be the Falcons’ starting quarterback for 2023, but the rookie from Cincinnati at least will head into the offseason with a win to his credit.
Getting his first win, however, felt pretty good.
ATLANTA (AP) — The quarterback carousel continues for the Arizona Cardinals, who now turn to David Blough as their fourth option of the season.
ARIZONA (4-11) at ATLANTA (5-10)

Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, Fox

FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NFL LINE: Falcons by 3.

AGAINST THE SPREAD: Cardinals 7-8; Falcons 8-7
ATLANTA (AP) — From 4-4 to 5-10, the Atlanta Falcons have collapsed in the second half of a season that was seen as a rebuilding year from the start.
ATLANTA (5-9) at BALTIMORE (9-5)

Saturday, 1 p.m. EST, Fox

AGAINST THE SPREAD: Falcons 8-6; Ravens 6-8.
ATLANTA (AP) — There was more to be learned from rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder’s debut than his poor passing production, another Atlanta Falcons loss and continued scoring woes.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Saints tight end Juwan Johnson talked about getting “freaky” after making a catch near the goal line.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Atlanta Falcons rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder graded his performance as if he were still in college.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The starting quarterbacks for the 107th regular season edition of the Atlanta Falcons-New Orleans Saints rivalry will be 35-year-old Andy Dalton and untested rookie Desmond Ridder.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons will have more on the line than retaining hope in the weak NFC South race as rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder makes his debut as the starter on Sunday at New Orleans.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday released running back Damien Williams, the veteran who never returned after a rib injury in his first game with the team.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons are turning to rookie Desmond Ridder at quarterback, announcing Monday that Marcus Mariota has been benched with the team still in contention for a playoff berth but struggling with four losses in its past five games.
ATLANTA (AP) — Mired in a monthlong slump but somehow still in playoff contention, the Atlanta Falcons are definitely planning changes during their bye week.
ATLANTA (AP) — Marcus Mariota doesn’t know how much longer he will be the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons.
ATLANTA (AP) — Two losses in five days have left Atlanta Falcons coach Arthur Smith again fielding questions about quarterback Marcus Mariota.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons have named Drew Dalman as their starting center for Sunday’s opener against the New Orleans Saints.
ATLANTA (AP) — Desmond Ridder’s first throw didn’t go as planned.

He didn’t let it bother him.

The unflappable rookie shook off an interception on his very first pass to lead the Atlanta Falcons to their first home preseason win since 2016, beating the Jacksonville Jaguars 28-12 Saturday.
ATLANTA FALCONS (7-10)

New faces: QB Marcus Mariota, WR Drake London, CB Casey Hayward, WR Bryan Edwards, RB Damien Williams, OLB Lorenzo Carter, LB Rashaan Evans, OG Elijah Wilkinson, P Bradley Pinion, OL Germain Ifedi, QB Desmond Ridder, RB Tyler Allgeier.