QB Desmond Ridder Impressive in Preseason Debut, Falcons Settle for 13-13 Tie With Bengals

ATLANTA (AP) — Desmond Ridder led an impressive drive for Atlanta in his preseason debut and the Falcons settled for a subject aim with 2 seconds left for a 13-13 tie with the Cincinnati Bengals on Friday evening.

After sitting the starters final week in a 19-3 victory at Miami, the Falcons (1-0-1) went with those for his or her opening possession.

Ridder accomplished 7 of 9 passes for 80 yards and likewise broke off a 7-yard run earlier than the drive ended with an interception off a deflected pass. Cornerback Mike Hilton appeared to make contact with meant receiver Scotty Miller earlier than the throw arrived, however no flag was thrown. The ball bounced into the air and was picked off by defensive finish Joseph Ossai.

Regardless of the interception, it was a promising begin to 2023 for the younger quarterback who carries Atlanta’s hopes of breaking a streak of 5 straight dropping seasons.

As a rookie, Ridder began 4 video games on the finish of final season, main the Falcons to a 2-2 document and persuading coach Arthur Smith that he can deal with the job.

After a snoozer of a recreation, the ultimate minute supplied some dramatics in a largely empty stadium, with a bunch of backups and roster hopefuls on the sphere.

Jake Browning guided an 80-yard drive to that put the Bengals (0-1-1) forward 13-10 with 50 seconds remaining. He accomplished 4 passes for 42 yards and scrambled twice for an additional 33 yards, establishing Chase Brown’s 1-yard landing run with 50 seconds remaining.

However Atlanta third-stringer Logan Woodside linked on three straight passes for 53 yards earlier than a third-down throw ultimately zone was batted down. To a smattering of boos, the Falcons despatched out Younghoe Koo for a tying 45-yard subject aim with two seconds left.

Ridder and Atlanta’s different offensive starters solely performed the primary sequence earlier than calling it an evening. First-round decide Bijan Robinson was amongst them, carrying the ball 4 instances for 20 yards and hauling in a 6-yard cross in his preseason debut.

The Bengals went with Trevor Siemian within the first half whereas franchise quarterback Joe Burrow continues his restoration from a calf damage. Burrow got here up hobbling after scrambling at a coaching camp follow on July 27.

Siemian was 7 of 14 for 62 yards, guiding the Bengals into place for Eva McPherson’s 50-yard subject aim on the ultimate play of the primary half, sending the groups to the locker room tied at 3.

Taylor Heinicke, the previous Washington starter who signed in free agency to back up Ridder, was 13 of 21 for 162 yards and connected with J.J. Arcega-Whiteside on a 28-yard completion that up the Falcons’ solely landing. Carlos Washington Jr. took it in from the 1.

Zac Taylor’s problem recreation continues to be figuring out the preseason kinks.

The Bengals coach challenged two calls within the first half — solely to lose a pair of timeouts when each rulings have been upheld.

Drake London’s 21-yard reception was allowed to face for the Falcons, whereas a video evaluate confirmed that Cincinnati’s Kwamie Lassiter did not get each toes down on a throw alongside the sideline.

Yellow was the predominant shade in a sloppy first half.

The Falcons have been flagged 10 instances for 62 yards in penalties, whereas the Bengals have been hit thrice for 25 yards.

Atlanta WR KhaDarel Hodge went down within the first half with a left ankle damage and did not return. … One other Falcons receiver, Penny Hart, appeared to hit his head on the turf after being sandwiched between two defenders whereas trying to make a fourth-down catch. Hart got here up groggy and walked slowly off the sphere with the trainers.

Bengals: Head to Washington to face the Commanders of their last preseason recreation Aug. 26.

Falcons: Host the Pittsburgh Steelers of their preseason finale subsequent Thursday evening.

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