Taylor Heinicke Named Falcons Starter Moving Forward

Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated

After a 28-23 loss for the Atlanta Falcons against the Tennessee Titans last sunday, the Falcons have named Taylor Heinicke the starting quarterback moving forward. This came after previous starter Desmond Ridder was benched in the Titans matchup, and while Heinicke played well after being put in the game, it was too late to dig the team out of the hole that the offense had dug with Ridder. With the season approaching its halfway point, and the Falcons sitting at 4-4 and tied with the Saints for the division lead; they are hoping that Heinicke will be able to elevate the offense and lead the Falcons to a playoff berth. 

Photo Credit: Cooper Neill, Getty Images

Once Heinicke was subbed in at the beginning of the second half, the Falcons offense immediately started to play better. The Titans were up 14-3 at the half, and the Falcons offense looked desolate, but Heinicke led them to score on his first three straight drives in the game. Despite a noble effort from Heinicke in the second half, the Falcons came up short and lost by 5 to the Titans, unable to close the full-point deficit from the first half. Heinicke finished with 175 passing yards and a touchdown through the air, while also running the ball twice for 14 yards. Ridder finished the game with 71 passing yards and 36 yards on the ground, showing quite a different stat line when the two quarterbacks were in the game. 

With Heinicke being the starting quarterback moving forward, the Falcons hope that their entire offense but especially the passing game will take a significant step up. Heinicke has been a spot starter for a few teams over the past few years and has been relatively successful in that role, so with the full keys to a young and talented offense, all eyes are on him to see what he can do with it. While the Falcons offense under Head Coach Arthur Smith has been extremely run-heavy, they also have not consistently good quarterback play to lean on. So, if Heinicke can provide some better play and stability at quarterback, we may see the offensive play calling open up more than it has over the past couple of seasons. 

Photo Credit: Atlanta Falcons