ATLANTA FALCONS DID IT AGAIN.
Hey Falcons fans, welcome to my blog where I share my thoughts and opinions on everything related to our favorite team.
In this post, I want to talk about the amazing season we just had and what we can look forward to in 2023.
First of all, let me just say how proud I am of our team for making the playoffs and beating the Buccaneers in the wild card round. That was a huge statement win for us, especially after losing to them twice in the regular season. We showed them that we are not afraid of Tom Brady and his weapons, and that we have a star quarterback of our own in Desmond Ridder.
Ridder was phenomenal this season, throwing for 3,842 yards and 28 touchdowns with only 10 interceptions. He also ran for 412 yards and four touchdowns, showing his dual-threat ability. He was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and made the Pro Bowl as an alternate. He proved that he was worth the eighth overall pick in the draft and that he is the future of our franchise.
But Ridder was not alone in carrying our offense. We also had some great performances from our receivers, especially Drake London, who led the team with 1,120 yards and nine touchdowns on 76 catches. He was a beast in the red zone and a reliable target for Ridder. Cordarrelle Patterson also had a career year, playing both as a running back and a receiver. He had 1,038 yards from scrimmage and 11 total touchdowns, earning his second Pro Bowl nod.
Our defense also stepped up big time this season, thanks to some smart moves by our general manager Terry Fontenot and our head coach Arthur Smith. We signed Pro Bowler Calais Campbell to a one-year deal, and he was a force on our defensive line, racking up 10 sacks and three forced fumbles. We also traded for Jonnu Smith from the Patriots, who was a versatile weapon on offense and a leader in the locker room. We also added some young talent through the draft and free agency, such as Jessie Bates III, David Onyemata, Mike Hughes, Kaden Elliss and Mack Hollins.
We finished the season with a 10–7 record, second in the NFC South behind the Saints. We clinched a wild card spot and faced off against the Buccaneers in Atlanta. We dominated them from start to finish, winning 30–17. Ridder threw for 224 yards and two touchdowns, while Tyler Allgeier ran for 135 yards on 25 carries. London had six catches for 120 yards and a touchdown, while MyCole Pruitt and Olamide Zaccheaus also found the end zone. Our defense held Brady to 84 yards passing and one touchdown before he was benched in the fourth quarter. Campbell had two sacks and a fumble recovery, while Bates had an interception.
Unfortunately, our playoff run ended in the divisional round against the Packers in Green Bay. We lost 27–20 in a close game that came down to the wire. Ridder threw for 256 yards and two touchdowns, but also had two costly interceptions. London had seven catches for 89 yards and a touchdown, while Patterson had 72 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. Our defense did a decent job of containing Aaron Rodgers, who threw for 287 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. However, we could not stop their running game, as Aaron Jones ran for 142 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries.
Despite the loss, I think we have a lot to be proud of this season and a lot to be excited about for next season. We have a young core of talented players who are hungry for more success. We have a smart front office who knows how to build a winning team. We have a passionate fan base who supports us through thick and thin.
I want to thank you all for reading my blog this season and for sharing your comments and feedback with me. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did writing it. I will be back with more analysis and insights on our Falcons. Until then, stay safe and stay loyal.
Rise up!
