Atlanta Falcons QB Desmond Ridder Reveals 'Huge' Reason For Recent Win

Have the Atlanta Falcons rediscovered how to win football games after reclaiming the top spot in the NFC South from the New Orleans Saints?

On Sunday, the Atlanta Falcons finally got back into the win column, and a big part of why the team ended its three-game losing streak was how well it ran against the New Orleans Saints.

Following the game, Atalanta’s quarterback, Desmond Ridder, shared his thoughts on how important it was for the Falcons’ offensive line to re-establish the run game as a strength.

“It was huge,” Ridder said. “They were challenged to go back and be that line that we know they can be. They stepped up to the challenge and did a great job. Before we took that field with like seven minutes left, Drew Dalman, our center, said, ‘Hey, let’s end this game with the ball in our hands,’ and I said, ‘Yes, sir, let’s go. We did, and we came back.”

Atlanta Falcons rookie running back Bijan Robinson looked like a star during the team's 24-15 win over the New Orleans Saints / USA Today Sports

The Falcons finished with 228 total rushing yards, which came at an average of 5.6 yards per carry. All three Atlanta running backs received at least eight touches, with Cordarellle Patterson having eight carries for 43 yards, Tyler Allgeier having 10 carries for 64 yards, and Bijan Robinson rushing 16 times for 91 yards and a touchdown.

It appears as though the Falcons have finally gotten back to playing smash-mouth football. Ridder completed just 13 passes, but the offense ran 41 times and still found success thanks to the utilization of Robinson, who, in addition to being the top rusher, also had the second-most receiving production.

Robinson had three receptions for 32 yards, a touchdown for 123 all-purpose yards, and two touchdowns on 19 touches. This team operates better when Robinson is the offense's focal point, and now that Atlanta is treating him as such, it’s back atop the NFC South.

This season hasn’t been pretty for the Falcons, but somehow, Atlanta is back at the No. 1 seed in the South despite its -19 point differential, thanks to how weak the division is. The Falcons are the only team in the NFC South not currently in the midst of at least a two-game losing streak.

For Atlanta to make the playoffs, the team doesn’t have to look like a championship contender this season; it just has to outperform its rivals in a division where every team is below .500. 

Next up for the Falcons is an away game against the 4-7 New York Jets in what should be a winnable game against another team dealing with quarterback struggles. 

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