With 1:30 remaining, Desmond Ridder, a rookie quarterback, connected with Jared Bernhardt for a 21-yard touchdown pass to give the Atlanta Falcons a 27-23 victory over the Detroit Lions.
Riley Patterson’s 28-yard field goal gave the Lions a 23-20 lead with 5:57 left in the game, and they later drove Atlanta into a three-and-out. However, with two minutes to go, Detroit quarterback David Blough fumbled at his 33.
With 1:37 left, Atlanta coach Arthur Smith made the decision to avoid a tie and give Desmond Ridder a chance to win the game when facing fourth-and-9 from the 21.
To make the catch just inside the end zone, Ridder avoided two pass rushers and Bernhardt battled off Cedric Boswell’s coverage attempt.
After one drive, Ridder took over for Marcus Mariota and completed 10-for-22 for 103 yards and two touchdowns. In addition, he ran six times for 59 yards, contributing to Atlanta’s 168 running yards and meager 139 passing.
Both Lions quarterbacks Tim Boyle and Blough, who were vying for Jared Goff’s No. 2 spot, struggled. Boyle completed 9 of his 16 passes for 111 yards, a score, and an interception.
Blough completed 18 of his 28 passes for 141 yards, but with 3:42 left, a throw was deflected and almost intercepted in his own end zone.
