Sitting at 6-8, the Atlanta Falcons find themselves just one game behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints for first place in the NFC South. With that said, their playoff hopes are still very much alive. Meanwhile, they’ve just made their third quarterback change of 2023, naming Taylor Heinicke as the team’s starter for the last three games of the season.
Heinicke is now starting in relief of second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder for a second time this season. With a realistic shot at making the playoffs given the weakness of their division, the Falcons are choosing to roll with an experienced veteran quarterback over an inconsistent young quarterback.
Despite the constant turmoil at the position, Heinicke said that his and Ridder’s haven’t changed much and that they work together to bring out the best in themselves during his press conference on Wednesday. "Des [Ridder] and I found out Monday afternoon and nothing’s really changed, it’s kind of like last time," said Heinicke.
The Falcons have a 0-2 record in Heinicke’s two starts this season. In those two games, he’s completed 41 of his 74 pass attempts for 498 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception, adding nine carries for 68 yards through the ground.
Heinicke is ready for the challenge and believes in his abilities to help the Falcons win games regardless of how his first two starts went. "I have a lot of confidence in my game, if I didn’t, I wouldn’t be here," Heinicke said.
