The Atlanta Falcons no longer rule the NFC South following Sunday’s 29-25 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. What started as a painfully slow and sloppy game turned into a thriller late in the fourth quarter.
Despite a record day from Drake London, the Falcons committed some costly mistakes that were too much to overcome. Desmond Ridder threw an interception at the team’s own eight-yard line and the offense gave up a safety later in the second quarter.
After the game, fans on Twitter expressed their displeasure with head coach Arthur Smith‘s play-calling and Ridder’s inconsistent performance.
Now would be an excellent time to see what Ryan Nielsen could do as the head coach for the rest of the season
— Carlton (@CrispyCarlton) December 10, 2023
The #Falcons record after Week 14 each of the last 3 seasons
2021: 6-7
2022: 5-8
2023: 6-7 pic.twitter.com/yhESxfdfSm— Miles Garrett (@MilesGarrettTV) December 10, 2023
#TBvsATL #Falcons fans are booing QB Desmond Ridder after that throw into triple coverage. Robinson was open underneath.
— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@DOrlandoAJC) December 10, 2023
Ridder is done in Atlanta.
— Kevin Knight (@FalcoholicKevin) December 10, 2023
Ridder is just Jameis without the touchdowns
— kenny g. (@Gritz_Blitz) December 10, 2023
watching arthur smith call the most basic game plan for a terrible quarterback pic.twitter.com/Ch0yGO2H17
— kelsey orr (@kelseytayorr) December 10, 2023
Ridder doing nothing to win over the fanbase.
— MikeBell929 (@MikeBellATL) December 10, 2023
I’m just tired of people pretending we’re not watching Mariota all over again
— Tre'Shon (@tre3shon) December 10, 2023
Ridder has 9 passing touchdowns and 9 interceptions this season.
Don’t look now but laughing stock Zach Wilson, who’s back in for the worst offense in the league, has 8 passing touchdowns and 7 interceptions.
Convinced those defending don’t watch any other teams.
— Andy (@AndySGallagher) December 10, 2023
Desmond Ridder picked, but I don't think this one's his fault. Two blockers out there and two CBs. Both receivers go to block 23, and Carlton Davis (24) is able to just sprint forward for an easy INT. pic.twitter.com/zXmCc1j725
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) December 10, 2023
Desmond Ridder pic.twitter.com/OvrFOBdPYV
— FFYT (@_FootballFilms_) December 10, 2023
Falcons passing game is in the mud right now. If it's not Ridder, it's lackluster play design. If it's not play design, it's Ridder not leading the receivers properly. Ugly performance.
— Allen Strk (@allenstrk) December 10, 2023
Ridder has made strides down-to-down but literally no other starting QB makes more catastrophic mistakes
— Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) December 10, 2023
I'm going to try to figure out how to turn off my replies here, but Desmond Ridder is not playing terribly (16-of-23). Threw two nice balls on that drive. WR whiffed a block on the INT. Coach put him in tough spot on fumble. It's not great, but there's been some good stuff.
— Josh Kendall (@JoshTheAthletic) December 10, 2023
tough choice every possession pic.twitter.com/PBeXAwSdrE
— kelsey orr (@kelseytayorr) December 10, 2023
Can #Ridder make some plays????
Two, three? @AtlantaFalcons— Carl Dukes (@putemupcdukes) December 10, 2023
Wild one in Atlanta.
Bucs beat the Falcons, 29-25, and now Atlanta, New Orleans and Tampa are all tied at 6-7 atop the NFC South.
Drake London with a career-high 172 yards
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) December 10, 2023
Another fumble from Desmond Ridder this season, this time it costs the #Falcons a safety.
8 fumbles
8 interceptions from Ridder in 2023— Miles Garrett (@MilesGarrettTV) December 10, 2023
For the crowd that wants to only blame Arthur Smith. Even if you have your way and he’s let go do you honestly believe any new coach is risking his job on Ridder? doing so would be a fireable offense on the spot. everyone in this situation is going down with the ship.
— Tre'Shon (@tre3shon) December 10, 2023
Ultimately, the Falcons lost by one TO turned into a TD. The only thing this offense is consistent in is making a few ridiculous mistakes each game. Ridder is FAR too inconsistent to be a starter in this league.
— Ev Glaze (@Everett_G07) December 10, 2023
#WhoThrewThat⁉️⁉️
Ridder to Pitts 🎯🎯🎯
pic.twitter.com/n7P2RdiwAD— 1st Place Rise Up Ridder (@RiseUpReader) December 10, 2023
Everyone in Atlanta rn pic.twitter.com/u6xVDp8hQp
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 10, 2023
