'Another Huge Week' for Atlanta Falcons, Says Desmond Ridder Ahead of Week 15

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder isn't overlooking the Carolina Panther, who present a trap-game challenge in a tightly contest NFC South.

It seems every loss this Atlanta Falcons team has suffered recently has been a disappointing one. 

They outgained the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and fell short at home in Week 14, just a few weeks after a three-game losing streak against a rookie quarterback, a three-win Arizona Cardinals team, and Minnesota Vikings quarterback Josh Dobbs – who had been traded just days earlier.

Simply put, Atlanta cannot afford to drop another game to an inferior opponent. Its Week 15 opponent, the Carolina Panthers, is 1-12 and on the fast track to a first-overall pick they don’t even own. Head coach Frank Reich has been fired, the rest of the staff is on borrowed time, and rookie quarterback Bryce Young has spent the season as fodder for opposing defenses.

Dec 10, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports / © Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

In a tightly contested NFC South, a loss on Sunday would bring the Falcons’ playoff chances to 22.8 percent, Sumer Sports. A win, however, keeps them alive, with a 43.9-percent chance.

Atlanta quarterback Desmond Ridder made a point to not overlook Carolina.

"It's another huge week for us, just as every week is, but when you look at this Carolina team the first thing you see is the record, but it goes a lot deeper into that,” Ridder said. “Because they have a great defense, a great defensive front, great guys on the back end and they really play together, and they play well."

On the season, the Panthers' defense ranks 27th in expected points added, largely thanks to a league-worst run defense and a game script that allows offenses to run the ball at will. However, their pass defense has hovered around league average, making Ridder’s job more difficult. Carolina ranks 15th in expected points added per dropback and 16th in dropback success rate.

Ridder elaborated on the Panthers’ strengths and what the Falcons must do in response.

"They don't really give up a lot of big plays, they get after the quarterback, affect the quarterback, and really make you try to mess it up. For us, it's going to be about completion, it's going to be about going out there, moving the ball forward every single play, and getting positive yards."

Falcons vs. Panthers Preview: Will Atlanta Keep Playoff Hopes Alive?

He’ll be hunting explosives in the passing game in a similar fashion to Week 14, where receiver Drake London had a career day (10 catches for 172 yards) and tight end Kyle Pitts found the end zone.

Given Carolina’s struggles against the run, fans can expect running back Bijan Robinson to be featured heavily. However, like so many games this season, a divisional game could once again call on Ridder’s number to make or break Atlanta’s hopes. How he responds could determine the Falcons’ playoff hopes.