NFC South

Falcons Coach Arthur Smith Announces Decision On Starting Quarterback

By Daniel Bates It's been a tough past couple weeks for the Atlanta Falcons, but head coach Arthur Smith appears to be sticking with his starting quarterback despite 13 combined points in their last two losses. When asked why he didn't decide to pull Desmond Ridder at halftime when the team was down 17-0, Smith backed the second-year QB: "I thought he came back," Smith explained. "It obviously wasn't what we wanted result wise. But he gave us a chance." Ridder finished 19-of-31 for 191 yards and two picks in the 23-7 loss vs. the Jags in London. The 24-year-old hasn't played the cleanest footb…