The Falcons are 1-0 for the first time since 2017. The Falcons are also above .500 for the first time in that span. Fans and players alike have been celebrating the 24-10 victory over Carolina since Sunday, but now it’s time to turn the page and focus on Green Bay. A 1-0 Packers squad rolls into Atlanta on Sunday and they are bringing a potent offense with them.
New QB Jordan Love and versatile RB Aaron Jones both had banner weeks and will look to repeat against the revamped Falcons defense.
The main concern for the Falcons heading into this matchup has been the mediocre performance Desmond Ridder put on tape against the Panthers. Ridder went 15-18 for 115 yards and a touchdown in what is being viewed as a controversial outing. While the team won the game and he was efficient, Ridder’s numbers were far from what is expected of good quarterback play in a modern 2023 offense. The coaching staff, however, has praised Ridder for his poise and good decisions during the contest.
Ridder says he is not looking at the stat sheet as long as the team is winning
“My comfort is really good with this offense and where it’s at. Last week we never got in the rhythm we wanted to get in. Everyone talks about the balance, but at the end of the day whatever is going to help us win is what we’re going to do. I’ve told you multiple times I’m not a stat person so I don’t care how many times I throw the ball. I just want to win at the end of the day,” Ridder explained.
The Packers will present a different challenge offensively despite Jordan Love also making his first steps as an NFL quarterback. This game may not exactly turn into a shootout, but Ridder will be called upon to make more explosive plays to keep up with Green Bay then he did vs Carolina. It remains to be seen exactly how much more explosive the offense will need to be, but more explosive nonetheless should be in the eyes and minds of the offensive staff this time around.