WATCH: Atlanta Falcons TE Kyle Pitts Catches First TD from Desmond Ridder vs. Washington Commanders

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder connected with tight end Kyle Pitts for a touchdown against the Washington Commanders, the first time the duo has done so together.
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The Atlanta Falcons offense has struggled getting off to fast starts this season - but had no such problems in Sunday's game against the Washington Commanders inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder, fresh off Atlanta's most productive passing performance in almost two years, found tight end Kyle Pitts in the back of the endzone on 2nd and 4 to give the Dirty Birds an early 7-3 lead.

Here's a look at the play ...

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts / USA Today Sports

It's the first time Pitts has caught a touchdown from Ridder, as the two didn't play together last year due to the former's season-ending MCL injury.

Through the first four weeks, the duo struggled getting on the same page, as Pitts caught only 11 of 21 targets for 121 yards ... but he, along with Ridder, starred in last week's 21-19 win over the Houston Texans.

The 23-year-old Pitts caught seven passes for 87 yards, also his most productive performance in two years, and Falcons coach Arthur Smith noted earlier this week that the two players are building chemistry.

Now, this chemistry is on full display, and is helping Atlanta turn the tide on its slow starts. Ridder completed five of six passes for 65 yards on the opening drive, while Pitts hauled in two receptions for 18 yards.

It's the second consecutive week Atlanta's scored a touchdown in the first quarter and only the third time this year. Similarly, this is the Falcons' first touchdown on an opening drive this season, and only continues positive momentum after an encouraging finish against Houston.


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Daniel Flick
DANIEL FLICK

Daniel Flick is an accredited NFL writer for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Daniel has provided boots-on-ground coverage at the NFL Combine and from the Atlanta Falcons' headquarters, among other destinations, and contributed to the annual Lindy's Sports Magazine ahead of the 2023 offseason. Daniel is a co-host on the 404TheFalcon podcast and previously wrote for the Around the Block Network and Georgia Sports Hospitality Media.