3 Moments that should help the Atlanta Falcons believe in Desmond Ridder

3. Desmond Ridder converting 4th and 3 to Anthony Firkser

Later in the same game, the Atlanta Falcons offense had the ball inside Tampa’s forty-five down 17-13 facing a 4th down. Ridder again showed his poise and ability to take care of the football with none of his early reads there and a four-man rush starting to get home Desmond moves outside the pocket to his left making an easy throw to a wide-open Firkser to convert the 4th down.

The throw isn’t what was so impressive about this play, it was Ridder keeping his eyes down the field and creating space for the throw with his legs. This is the exact type of play that Atlanta missed on earlier in the season with Mariota running into a sack or attempting to create the play himself.

Ridder used the threat of his legs to open up a receiver allowing Firkser to have plenty of room and make an uncontested play to convert a key 4th down. Ridder wasn’t perfect in his first four games but it is fun to imagine what the second-year quarterback could become with a full camp and preseason of first-team reps and more reliable targets around him. Ridder may not be an instant star but the quarterback is showing the ability and traits you want to see from a young starter.