Houston Texans at Atlanta Falcons
· National Football LeagueDesmond Ridder answers critics, Younghoe Koo kicks last-second field goal, Falcons edge Texans 21-19
Now Ridder has a last-second comeback win as an impressive answer to his critics.
Ridder passed and ran for touchdowns, providing a response to those who had called for him to be benched, Younghoe Koo kicked a go-ahead 37-yard field goal as time expired, and the Falcons snapped a two-game skid by beating the Houston Texans 21-19 on Sunday.
“Now he’s got evidence, a great fourth-quarter comeback,” Smith said of Ridder.
After Houston took a 19-18 lead with 1:49 remaining, Ridder completed each of his five passes on the final drive to set up Koo's game-ending kick. The Falcons (3-2) stopped a two-game skid.
“We proved we could stay calm, we could stay collected,” Ridder said. “That was one of my first true two-minute drives. I didn’t try to rush anything, didn’t try to force anything, just stayed within my game.”
It was a strong comeback for Ridder following his three turnovers, including a pick-6, in last week’s Jacksonville Jaguars in London.
Ridder had no turnovers against the Texans. His bounce-back performance ended a two-game winning streak for Houston (2-3).
The key play in the game-winning drive was Ridder's 23-yard completion to Drake London to the Houston 26 that Smith said “essentially decided the game.”
Ridder's 6-yard TD pass to rookie running back Bijan Robinson and 2-point pass to Tyler Allgeier gave the Falcons a 15-12 lead early in the fourth quarter. Robinson reached back to catch the shovel pass against his hip before running through the middle of the Houston defense into the end zone.
Ridder acknowledged it was “definitely scary” to see Robinson running along the line while still holding the ball behind him.
Houston rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud answered with an 18-yard scoring pass to tight end Dalton Schultz, giving the Texans a 19-18 lead with 1:49 remaining. Schultz found an opening in the middle of the end zone behind safety Jessie Bates.
“We had an urgency on that last drive that we that obviously we need to do a better job earlier in the game,” Schultz said. "We can’t be kicking field goals all day long."
Stroud set an NFL record by starting his career with 177 pass attempts without an interception. He broke the record previously held by Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott. Stroud set the NFL record for rookies a week earlier when he reached 151 attempts without an interception.
Stroud completed 20 of 35 passes for 249 yards and a score.
Ridder completed 28 of 37 passes for a career-high 329 yards and a touchdown. He had a 7-yard scoring run in the first quarter.
TOO MANY FIELD GOALS, TOO FEW TDS
Before Stroud's scoring pass to Schultz, the Texans had to settle for four field goals by Kaʻimi Fairbairn, including a 28-yarder with 3 seconds remaining in the first half for a 9-7 lead.
“We were in situations where we could get points and we didn’t,” Houston coach DeMeco Ryans said. “We had to kick field goals when we were in those positions."
MISSED OPPORTUNITIES
The Falcons overcame two third-quarter turnovers by Robinson and Jonnu Smith. The Texans were held to one field goal from the two takeaways.
“Turning the ball over is a recipe to lose,” Stroud said. “If you get two-plus turnovers in a football game, you should win.”
FIRST-ROUNDERS CATCHING ON
London matched his season high with six catches and set a high with 78 receiving yards while tight end Kyle Pitts set high marks for the year with seven catches for 87 yards. Just as there had been increased criticism of Ridder, the Falcons also had faced questions about failing to utilize Pitts and London, their first-round draft picks in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
INJURIES
Texans: WR Tank Dell did not return after he was evaluated for a concussion following a catch with 29 seconds remaining in the first half. ... WR Robert Woods (ribs) left in the third quarter.
Falcons: RT Kaleb McGary suffered a knee injury in the third quarter but Smith was encouraged to see McGary on an exercise bike on the sideline. ... CB A.J. Terrell was cleared after being evaluated for a potential head injury late in the first half. ... RB Cordarrelle Patterson (thigh) had a 7-yard catch, his first of the season after missing the first three games.
UP NEXT
Texans: Host another NFC South foe, New Orleans, next Sunday.
Falcons: Host Washington next Sunday. The Commanders lead the series 17-10-1, including a 19-13 win on Nov. 27, 2022.
How can I watch Texans vs. Falcons?
- TV Channel: Texans at Falcons 2021-22 NFL, week 5 is broadcasted nationally on FOX.
- Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
In Canada, viewers can watch Texans vs. Falcons on DAZN.
Scoring Summary
FG | 1st Period 10:38 | Ka'imi Fairbairn 38 Yd Field Goal | |
TD | 1st Period 6:48 | Desmond Ridder 7 Yd Run (Younghoe Koo Kick) | |
FG | 2nd Period 14:10 | Ka'imi Fairbairn 43 Yd Field Goal | |
FG | 2nd Period 0:03 | Ka'imi Fairbairn 28 Yd Field Goal | |
FG | 3rd Period 9:35 | Ka'imi Fairbairn 42 Yd Field Goal | |
TD | 4th Period 12:12 | Bijan Robinson 6 Yd pass from Desmond Ridder (Desmond Ridder Pass to Tyler Allgeier for Two-Point Conversion) | |
FG | 4th Period 6:57 | Younghoe Koo 33 Yd Field Goal | |
TD | 4th Period 1:49 | Dalton Schultz 18 Yd pass from C.J. Stroud (Ka'imi Fairbairn Kick) | |
FG | 4th Period 0:00 | Younghoe Koo 37 Yd Field Goal |
Statistics
HOU | ATL | |
---|---|---|
17 | 1st Downs | 26 |
13 | Passing 1st downs | 18 |
3 | Rushing 1st downs | 8 |
1 | 1st downs from penalties | 0 |
4-13 | 3rd down efficiency | 7-14 |
0-0 | 4th down efficiency | 0-0 |
58 | Total Plays | 74 |
313 | Total Yards | 447 |
5.4 | Yards per Play | 6.0 |
11 | Total Drives | 12 |
249 | Passing | 351 |
20-35 | Comp-Att | 29-38 |
7.1 | Yards per pass | 9.2 |
0 | Interceptions thrown | 0 |
0-0 | Sacks-Yards Lost | 0-0 |
64 | Rushing | 96 |
23 | Rushing Attempts | 36 |
2.8 | Yards per rush | 2.7 |
1-3 | Red Zone (Made-Att) | 2-4 |
5-25 | Penalties | 7-55 |
0 | Turnovers | 2 |
0 | Fumbles lost | 2 |
0 | Interceptions thrown | 0 |
0 | Defensive / Special Teams TDs | 0 |
24:28 | Possession | 35:32 |
Game Information
Location: Atlanta, GA
Attendance: 69,461 · Capacity:
2023 AFC South Standings
TEAM | W | L | PCT | T | PF | PA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Houston | 10 | 7 | .588 | 0 | 377 | 353 |
Jacksonville | 9 | 8 | .529 | 0 | 377 | 371 |
Indianapolis | 9 | 8 | .529 | 0 | 396 | 415 |
Tennessee | 6 | 11 | .353 | 0 | 305 | 367 |
2023 NFC South Standings
TEAM | W | L | PCT | T | PF | PA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tampa Bay | 9 | 8 | .529 | 0 | 348 | 325 |
New Orleans | 9 | 8 | .529 | 0 | 402 | 327 |
Atlanta | 7 | 10 | .412 | 0 | 321 | 373 |
Carolina | 2 | 15 | .118 | 0 | 236 | 416 |
NFL News
Titans expect WR Treylon Burks to 'carve out a role' in 2024
Receiver Treylon Burks has a clean slate with the new coaching staff, led by Brian Callahan, and has gotten off to a good start so far.
Nikki Glaser praises athletes' performances at the Tom Brady roast
Nikki Glaser explains to Pat McAfee how impressed she was with the athletes who participated in "The Roast of Tom Brady."
Texans trade for Rams receiver Ben Skowronek
The Houston Texans have traded for Rams WR Ben Skowronek.
Hall of Famer Jimmy Johnson, longtime 49ers DB, dies at 86
Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive back Jimmy Johnson, a three-time All-Pro and member of the All-Decade Team of the 1970s, has died. He was 86.
Sources: Reworked NFL officiating department adds 2 to staff
Umpire Ramon George and replay official Mark Butterworth are both joining the NFL's league office, sources told ESPN, although it is unclear who will have final authority in the officiating department during the 2024 season.