Indianapolis Colts Will Face New QB Against Atlanta Falcons

The Indianapolis Colts won’t be taking on the regular starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons in a matchup on Christmas Eve.

It’s been reported that the Atlanta Falcons will switch away, once again, from starting quarterback Desmond Ridder this week against the Indianapolis Colts.

The Atlanta Falcons will start Taylor Heinicke at quarterback against Indianapolis, benching second-year QB Desmond Ridder a second time and perhaps ending his tenure as starter in Atlanta.https://t.co/kQxcnsyBou

— Josh Kendall (@JoshTheAthletic) December 19, 2023

This was broken by Falcons beat writer for The Athletic, Josh Kendall, who posted on X: “The Atlanta Falcons will start Taylor Heinicke at quarterback against Indianapolis, benching second-year QB Desmond Ridder a second time and perhaps ending his tenure as starter in Atlanta.”

The veteran Heinicke is a more dangerous foe to the Colts’ chances of getting the win in Atlanta on Christmas Eve than Ridder. While Ridder can hurt a defense to an extent with his legs (5 rushing TDs in 2023), he’s also far more prone to poor passes and turnovers, this year throwing 10 TDs/10 INTs and fumbling 11 times.

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For those who choose to remember, Heinicke won in 2022 as a member of the Washington Commanders against the Colts. However, this is a completely different team and Heinicke will be facing off against one of the toughest defensive fronts in the NFL.

The Falcons are also tied for ninth in the NFL in sacks allowed (36), while the Colts are tied for third in the league in sacks made as a defense (46). Look for coordinator Gus Bradley and the tough Colts’ defensive trenches to get pressure on the Falcons and avenge last year’s loss to Heinicke.

While Heinicke is a pure passer and takes pretty good care of the football, he’s also leading a struggling Atlanta team that just lost to the league’s doormat, the Carolina Panthers. However, they still have young and talented playmakers like wide receiver Drake London, tight ends Kyle Pitts/Jonnu Smith, and rookie running back Bijan Robinson. All of these names will look to help propel head coach Arthur Smith’s squad to a much-needed home win and repel the Colts.

At the end of the day, this is a golden opportunity for the Colts and this surging defense to use the momentum from a huge win against the Pittsburgh Steelers to get another important victory as their long road to the playoffs looks more promising as it nears its end.

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