The Falcons had a bizarre day on offense in their 16-13 win over the Buccaneers in Week 7, and it wasn't just because top running back Bijan Robinson was unable to play for most of the afternoon.
For most of the day, Atlanta was able to move the ball with relative ease. The Falcons outgained the Buccaneers 401-329 and had more scoring opportunities than their divisional counterparts.
Even so, the Falcons needed kicker Younghoe Koo to convert a game-winning 51-yard field goal as time expired to earn the victory.
MORE: How the Patriots beat the Bills in massive Week 7 upset
So, why was the game so close? It was all about the red-zone struggles that the Falcons — and more specifically, quarterback Desmond Ridder — endured during the contest.
Desmond Ridder turnovers in the red zone
The Falcons had five trips to the red zone in Week 7. They managed to score just touchdowns on one of them; and on two occasions, they failed to score at all, as Ridder committed untimely, drive-killing turnovers.
The first major red-zone mistake by Ridder came just before halftime. He allowed the ball to be swatted out of his hand by Shaq Barrett on a third-and-goal from the 11-yard line. That robbed the Falcons of a chance to at least get a field goal to break a 10-all tie before the half.
Shaq 🤝 @Ckancey8
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) October 22, 2023
📺: #ATLvsTB on FOX pic.twitter.com/iivBVtQVOn
Ridder made another mistake midway through the third quarter. The game was tied at 10-all but the Falcons were inside of the 1-yard line and threatening to score.
However, on first-and-goal, Ridder failed to handle the snap from center Drew Dalman. The ball fell onto the ground and, with most of Atlanta's blockers crashing down on the line of scrimmage, Tampa Bay was able to jump on the ball with ease.
Ball don't lie 😁
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) October 22, 2023
📺: #ATLvsTB on FOX pic.twitter.com/emwM7T5nHV
In fairness to Ridder, Dalman's snap wasn't the best, so the center deserves criticism for the play. Still, Ridder needed to be able to either handle it or jump on it immediately to ensure the Falcons would get more chances to score.
Ridder couldn't do that, and that ultimately cost the Falcons at least a few points.
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That said, Ridder made his most egregious mistake in the fourth quarter of the team's victory. On another first-and-goal opportunity, Ridder ran left on a read option and appeared to have a clear path into the end-zone.
However, Ridder inexplicably slowed up just before reaching the end-zone. That allowed Antoine Winfield Jr. to punch at the ball in his right hand and knock it out. The ball traveled out of bounds in the end zone, resulting in a Falcons turnover.
Desmond Ridder is in for the touchdown, but it’s being reviewed because he fumbled near the goal line.
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulli) October 22, 2023
If he did fumble before the goal line, it’ll be ruled a touchback as he fumbled into the end zone. pic.twitter.com/bTbZR16w7U
The Falcons were up 13-10 at the time of Ridder's second fumble. Had he scored, the Falcons would have gone up 19-10 with just 6:30 left in the contest. That two-possession lead would have allowed the team more wiggle room on defense and while trying to run the clock out.
Instead, more pressure was put on the Falcons' defense. And while Atlanta was able to limit Tampa Bay to just three points after the turnover, the team very nearly surrendered a late, go-ahead touchdown to the Buccaneers. Certainly, that was less than ideal in a game where the winner would be in control of the NFC South.
As such, it's worth wondering whether Ridder's turnovers would have come back to bite the Falcons against a stronger offense. Either way, they made the team's life far more difficult than it needed to be despite the victory.
Desmond Ridder stats vs. Buccaneers
Ridder's stats against the Buccaneers were actually fairly solid. He completed 19 of 25 passes for 250 yards and his passer rating of 107.1 was the fourth-best mark of his career. He also added 38 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground and showed good scrambling instincts during the contest.
However, Ridder's three fumbles cost the Falcons significantly and may have prevented them from running away from the Buccaneers in this contest.
Thus, the second-year quarterback will need to work on his ball security moving forward; otherwise, the Falcons may have to consider benching him for Taylor Heinicke despite the team's positive 4-3 record.
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Will the Falcons bench Desmond Ridder?
It doesn't appear that the Falcons are considering benching Ridder at this time. Coach Arthur Smith was asked about Ridder's performance — and specifically, he turnovers — after the game and he wrote off his young quarterback's mistakes due to inexperience.
"It's his 11th start, just got a good win, so let's give him some credit, give this team some credit," Smith said. "We found a way to win."
"I know this about Desmond Ridder: He's tough, and he's a winner," he added.
So, expect Ridder to be on the field in Week 8 when the Falcons take on Mike Vrabel and the Titans.
But if his turnover problems continue, then the voices asking to give Heinicke a chance will grow louder.
