Falcons 2023 record: 3-2 (2nd in NFC South)
Opponent: Houston Texans
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
Final: Falcons (21) – Texans (19)
Notable Falcons Performances:
QB Desmond Ridder – 28/37 (75.7%) for 329 YDs, 1 TD; 1 rush TD
TE Kyle Pitts – 7 REC for 87 YDs
WR Drake London – 6 REC for 78 YDs
CB Jeff Okudah – 6 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 passes defensed
Notable Texans Performanes:
QB CJ Stroud – 20/35 (57%) for 249 YDs, 1 TD
TE Dalton Shultz – 7 REC for 65 YDs, 1 TD
S Jalen Pitre – 11 tackles, 1 pass defensed
LB Blake Cashman – 9 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 QB hit
Takeaways:
After struggling the past two weeks, this was the best game Desmond Ridder has played as a pro QB. He looked poised, comfortable, and confident in the pocket and it showed in his throws as well. Naturally, the Falcons had issues elsewhere on offense as there were a few drops and a couple fumbles resulting in turnovers. Overall still a solid game, and Ridder kept the shouts for him to get benched in favor of Taylor Heinicke at bay. This defense however, seems to have the makings of something we haven’t seen from the Falcons in a long time. They held star rookie QB CJ Stroud mostly in check, and when they got down into the red zone only allowed one touchdown, forcing the Texans to kick 4 field goals throughout the game. The defense failed to record a sack on Stroud, getting constant pressure but was never able to get home. This unit is one game-wrecking edge rusher away from being a true force of nature. Up next, Ridder has another opportunity to show his control over the offense as the Commanders and their bottom-five defense comes to town.
