Quarterback Desmond Ridder is set to make his debut as a starter for the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night, going up against his old team, the Atlanta Falcons. This significant matchup comes after current Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell was ruled inactive due to a bone bruise in his left knee, which he had been dealing with and listed as questionable earlier.
Ridder, who was selected by the Falcons in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, has a history with the team, starting in 19 games and ending with an 8-9 record. However, his time in Atlanta concluded when he was released on August 27, following the Falcons’ acquisition of quarterback Kirk Cousins and drafting Michael Penix Jr. in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Since then, the Raiders signed Ridder off the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad on October 22. In limited action with the Raiders, he has passed for 239 yards and one touchdown.
Aidan O’Connell’s injury occurred late in the third quarter during the Raiders’ 28-13 defeat against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 14. O’Connell had just returned from an injury that had sidelined him for a significant period. Before his injury, he amassed 899 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions while completing 63.2% of his passes across six games.
The Falcons, currently on a four-game losing streak, are desperate for a victory to keep their playoff hopes alive in the NFC South, where they sit just a game behind the Buccaneers. Meanwhile, the Raiders are battling their own challenges, having lost nine consecutive games, marking their longest in-season losing streak since 2014.
This matchup brings high stakes for both teams, and Ridder’s performance could play a pivotal role in the Raiders’ chances of breaking their losing streak. Both teams have a lot to prove, with Ridder looking to establish himself in a new environment and the Falcons trying to turn their season around.
In summary, with Ridder’s first start igniting hope for the Raiders and the Falcons striving for redemption, this game promises to be a compelling encounter that could shift the momentum for either team.