Falcons BREAKING: Ridder Benched, Heinicke to Start - Report

Falcons BREAKING: Desmond Ridder Benched, Taylor Heinicke to Start at QB for Atlanta - Report

The Atlanta Falcons this week will reportedly start Taylor Heinicke at quarterback against the Indianapolis Colts, another flip-flop in decision-making at the position by coach Arthur Smith.

This will mark the second time this season that second-year QB Desmond Ridder - who was in charge last week for the Falcons' dismal 9-7 loss at the Carolina Panthers - will have been benched. ... and comes on the heels of coach Smith insisting that he believes Ridder is "the guy."

Desmond Ridder, Taylor Heinicke / USA Today Sports

That may be true for the future, though The Athletic, in reporting this story, notes that this change might "perhaps end (Ridder's) tenure as starter in Atlanta."

That, of course, is a decision - and a huge one - for another day. But for NFL Week 16, and with the 6-8 Falcons trying to stay in playoff contention in the woeful, winnable NFC South?

'We're Not Satisfied': Smith Explains Falcons' QB Situation After Panthers Loss

It is clear that Smith thinks the journeyman Heinicke, in his first year in Atlanta and brought here specifically to be the No. 2, is the No. 1 way to try to beat the Colts this weekend.

"Obviously, we're not satisfied," Smith said on Monday speaking on Ridder's development this season. "Certainly not happy with what's gone on the last two games. ... These last two do sting."