The Atlanta Falcons have waffled between starting quarterbacks this season, but it looks like Taylor Heinicke has nailed down the job for the rest of the year.
Speaking with the media this week, head coach Arthur Smith said he will be rolling with Heinicke over Desmond Ridder for the final three games of the regular season.
“Obviously Des came back a few weeks ago. Plan was to let him finish out the season. And that’s what the plan was. But you have to be willing to adapt,” Smith said, via Terrin Waack of the Falcons’ official team website. “We feel right now, with where we’re at, that Taylor gives us the best chance. We have to adapt.”
The Falcons switched from Ridder to Heinicke in Week 8 after Ridder went down with a head injury midway through the game. Heinicke started the next two games but got injured during his second start against the Arizona Cardinals. Ridder relieved him and had been Atlanta’s starter ever since, but he has struggled mightily.
Most recently, Ridder went just 12-for-20 with 152 yards, a touchdown and an interception in a crushing Week 15 loss to the Carolina Panthers in which the Falcons mustered just seven points.
On the season overall, Ridder has thrown for 2,528 yards, 10 touchdowns and 10 picks while completing 63.3 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 82.2 over 13 games and 12 starts.
Meanwhile, Heinicke has totaled 498 yards, three touchdowns and an interception while completing 55.4 percent of his throws and registering a passer rating of 84.2 in three appearances and two starts.
Neither Ridder nor Heinicke exactly provides Atlanta with a terrific option under center, but right now, Smith obviously feels that Heinicke gives the club the best chance to win.
The Falcons fell to 6-8 with their loss to the Panthers and now sit one game behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints for first place in the NFC South.
Taylor Heinicke and Co. will take on the Indianapolis Colts this Sunday.
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