Younghoe Koo made a 21-yard field goal on the final play, and the Atlanta Falcons beat the Arizona Cardinals 20-19 on Sunday to end a four-game skid.
In a matchup of teams knocked out of playoff contention, Atlanta rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder picked up his first career win. He was 19 of 26 passing for 169 yards and had no interceptions in his third start as he auditions for a starting job next season.
The Falcons (6-10) improved to 5-8 in one-possession games. They went 7-2 in such games last season.
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Atlanta Falcons placekicker Younghoe Koo of South Korea (7) kicks the game-winning field goal against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, May 1. January 2023, in Atlanta.
(AP Photo/John Bazemore)
The Cardinals (4-12), playing with their fourth starting quarterback in four weeks, have lost six straight and eight of nine. David Blough completed 22 of 40 passes for 222 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions filling in for Colt McCoy, who is sidelined with a concussion.
Ridder drove Atlanta 72 yards in 12 plays in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter. The Falcons reached the red zone with 1:49 left and clocked in to set up Koo’s final kick of the game.
Ridder is still looking for the first touchdown pass of his career and nearly had one before Cordarrelle Patterson dropped the ball in the end zone in the fourth.
JAGUARS ONE STEP CLOSER TO DIVISION TITLE AFTER WIN OVER TEXANS
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (4) works against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Atlanta.
(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Tyler Allgeier and Patterson combined for 125 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries.
Arizona went up 16-14 on Matt Prater’s 36-yard field goal in the third and 19-17 with 4:57 remaining on Prater’s 57-yard field goal.
The Falcons took a 7-3 lead early in the second on Allgeier’s 5-yard touchdown run, but Ridder soon lost a fumble to Leki Fotu on a snap at the 11-yard line, and the Cardinals converted for a touchdown to score. making it 10.-7 on Trey McBride’s short touchdown catch.
Atlanta later went for it on fourth-and-two from the 9-yard line before Ridder’s pass bounced off Drake London in the end zone, but got a breather when Richie Grant blocked and recovered a punt at the 5-yard line. he ran into the end area. he scored, and the Falcons led 14-13 at halftime.
WE STILL DO IT
Arizona Cardinals defensive end JJ Watt (99) runs into the Atlanta Falcons backfield during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Atlanta.
(AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Working a two-man trick from the right side, Arizona defensive end JJ Watt sacked Ridder early in the third and is now 10 1/2 this season. Watt, 33, is a three-time AP Defensive Player of the Year and a five-time All-Pro and retires after the season. He marks his sixth season with at least 10 sacks.
INJURIES
The Cardinals lost linebacker Isaiah Simmons (leg), receiver Robbie Anderson (back) and defensive lineman Jonathan Ledbetter (knee) in the first half. Simmons returned to the game, but the others did not. Running back James Conner (shin) left in the second half. Falcons fullback Keith Smith (concussion) left late in the second quarter but returned in the second half. Allgeier left the field with an undisclosed injury early in the quarter but returned. Running back Avery Williams was ruled out in the fourth with a foot injury.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
The teams entered the game ranked high in the 2023 draft with No. 4 Arizona and No. 6 Atlanta.
FAST ANSWER
Not long after No. 1 Georgia defeated No. 4 Ohio State in a game that ended just after midnight, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium staff worked through the night to prepare the field.
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UNTIL NEXT TIME
Cardinals: In San Francisco next Sunday.
Falcons: Host Tampa Bay next Sunday
