New Year New Opportunity: Falcons Face Cardinals on Jan 1.

Coming off another would’ve ,could’ve should’ve been a win the Falcons found themselves in yet another loss to the Saints on Dec. 18, 2022.

Atlanta had a chance to score a touchdown but that attempt fell miserably resulting 21-18 win for the rival.

On Saturday the Falcons was eliminated from playoff contention after a 17-9 loss to the Ravens in Baltimore, marking the second straight game Desmond Ridder was front and center as the team’s quarterback. Ridder played better in this game but has failed to produce a touchdown.

The Falcons offense recorded 327 yards, including 115 yards.

Ridder completed 22-of-33 pass attempts, for 218 yards and an 85.2 passer rating. Rider set the franchise record for most completions (35) by a rookie quarterback in his first two career starts passing Chris Miller. Ridder also became only the third quarterback in franchise history to eclipse 300 passing yards (315) across his first two career games, joining Chris Miller (356 in 1987) and Matt Ryan (319 in 2008).

“I think you saw a lot of it playing quarterback in a drop back game. I thought his decision making was good, and he was pretty accurate. I thought he made some big time throws when the pressure got on him in the second half, and that’s what you want to see. He was calm and collective and I thought he delivered the football.” said coach Arthur Smith on Desmond Ridder.

Drake London leads the Falcons in receptions (16) receiving yards (699) and touchdown receptions(four) this season.  London needs four receptions on Sunday to surpass Calvin Ridley for the second most receptions by a rookie in team history and eight to break the record.

With week 17 approaching and Atlanta with the final two games of the regular season coming up. The dirty birds will return home Jan 1,. on New Year’s Day to face Arizona Cardinals kickoff is set for 1:00 PM.

🎉 H̶a̶p̶p̶y̶ ̶N̶e̶w̶ ̶Y̶e̶a̶r̶ ̶Game Day! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/m6RJNu32ns

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) January 1, 2023