April 26, 2024
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The starting quarterbacks for the 107th regular season edition of the Atlanta Falcons-New Orleans Saints rivalry will be 35-year-old Andy Dalton and untested rookie Desmond Ridder.
It's not what either team envisioned when the 2022 schedule came out.
Dalton expected to be a backup when he signed with New Orleans last offseason. But he's not about to complain.
“The one thing you can’t take for granted is an opportunity,” Dalton said. “I’ve been on both sides of it, and I’m thankful that I still get a chance to play this game, still get a chance to go out and try to help this team win, regardless of the record, regardless of everything else that goes on.”
The records don't flatter either team. But when Atlanta (5-8) visits New Orleans (4-9) on Sunday, the game could affect the NFC playoff picture. The Falcons are only a game behind NFC South leader Tampa Bay (6-7) with four to play — and Atlanta hosts the Buccaneers to close the regular season.
Not exactly a low-stakes moment for the Falcons to place starting quarterback Marcus Mariota on injured reserve. Mariota will have surgery for a chronic knee injury, and coach Arthur Smith elevated Ridder, who has zero career completions, to make his first NFL start.
“There is an unknown, there’s a risk," Smith conceded. "But we’ve got confidence in him, or we wouldn’t put him out there.”
Even the Saints' playoff hopes aren't yet extinguished, but nearly so because they've lost twice to the Bucs. Still, Saints running back Alvin Kamara asserted that this game matters.
“We’re not eliminated. Even if we was eliminated, you still got to get up for Sundays,” Kamara said. “I don’t think it’s any hanging heads or anybody walking around feeling sorry for themselves. We’ve just got to do what we need to do to win.”
