Atlanta Falcons' Desmond Ridder Reveals Strength of Washington Commanders Defense

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder was upfront about the challenges the Washington Commanders' defense will present him in Week 6.

There’s little question about the current state of the Atlanta Falcons’ quarterback room: it’s Desmond Ridder’s job, at least until it’s clear he isn’t the guy. His Week 5 performance helped quiet skeptics and put Atlanta back in the win column.

In the 21-19 home victory over the Houston Texans, Ridder had arguably the best game of his young career. He completed 28-of-37 passes for 329 yards and a touchdown and scored another with his legs. Perhaps most importantly, he took no sacks, nor did he throw an interception.

He may have won over a segment of the Falcons faithful, but turning into something meaningful means stringing performances like Sunday’s together. Against a ferocious Washington Commanders’ pass rush, that may prove difficult.

Ridder spoke about the challenge ahead of him in Week 6.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder attempting a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars / USA Today

“The front four … They pay those guys a lot of money to get out to the quarterback and they do a great job of that,” Ridder said.

He’s right — Washington has a ton invested in its front four, and it is the motor of the defense, if not the entire team. Edge rushers Chase Young and Montez Sweat are both athletic freaks with continuously improving polish, and defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne are freaks in their own right. As far as starting units go, there may be no better group in football.

“It’ll be a great challenge to our front five up front,” Ridder said. “And then a little banged up in the back end, so they’re rotating a whole bunch of guys, but they’ve done a great job of kind of being savvy, letting everything be underneath, and kind of attacking the ball.”

Washington’s secondary, and its mentality, may be a big factor in Sunday’s contest. The Commanders rank 28th in expected points added per dropback, a consequence of giving up far too many explosive plays. There will be opportunities downfield, potentially more so if first-round rookie Emmanuel Forbes sees significant playing time. Simply put, it’s been a struggle for Forbes, and he’s been a liability both in coverage and as a tackler.

However, the Commanders do swarm to the ball well, and that can cause issues for the Falcons. It’s obvious they prefer to move the ball through the ground game and easy passes to playmakers in space (see: running back Bijan Robinson), and Washington may be well-prepared to limit those easy explosives.

Ridder may be tasked with taking pure dropbacks against an elite pass rush, giving insight into his development as a passer over the last few weeks.