Washington Commanders vs. Atlanta Falcons GAMEDAY Preview: Can Desmond Ridder Stay Hot?

Desmond Ridder leads the Atlanta Falcons against the Washington Commanders.

This afternoon, the Atlanta Falcons welcome the Washington Commanders to Mercedes-Benz Stadium. 

There is no place like home for the Falcons, who are undefeated (3-0) in Atlanta this season. Extraordinarily, quarterback Desmond Ridder is technically 31-0 at home if you count his 26-0 college record at Cincinnati. 

The Falcons are fresh off a 21-18 victory over the Houston Texans in a game that came down to a last-second field goal. The win was Ridder's best game as a pro. The Falcons’ offense clicked against the Texans, finding success to deep-threats Kyle Pitts and Drake London. Ridder finished with 329 passing yards, with a touchdown. He also added a score on the ground.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder / USA Today Sports

This week, the Falcons look to keep the offensive momentum going against a Washington Commanders team that has lost three straight games. Washington has given up whopping 111 points combined in those losses. 

Atlanta's defense looks to get after Washington quarterback Sam Howell. Through five games, Howell has been sacked 29 times and is on pace to be sacked almost 100 times this season.

FUN FACT: Former Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan will to return to Atlanta in the CBS booth for the Falcons-Commanders matchup. The former league MVP is set to call Sunday’s game, along with Tiki Barber, A.J. Ross and Andrew Catalon.

RECORDS: Washington Commanders (2-3) at Atlanta Falcons (3-2)

ODDS: Atlanta is a 2.5-point underdog vs. the Commanders

GAME TIME: Sunday, October 15th, 2023 at 1 p.m. ET

LOCATION: Mercedes Benz Stadium- Atlanta, Georgia

TV/RADIO: CBS, 92.9 The Game

THE FINAL WORD: Coach Arthur Smith on Washington’s defensive front:

“Great front. They’ve invested a lot in it, four first-rounders. They’ve doubled down on the interior two guys in [Daron] Payne and [Jonathan] Allen. Very talented football team. When you come off a loss like that, we know they had more time to prepare; they’ve had to sit with it. We’ll get their best shot here Sunday.”

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