Desmond Ridder receives criticism from NFL fans for missing open TD pass to Bijan Robinson: “That is utterly egregious”; “So garbage” 

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder has been skating on thin ice, and his performance in the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 14 did not improve his standing among fans and analysts.

In the first quarter, the Falcons, trailing 3-0, drove the ball down the field and could have taken the lead, but Ridder missed the timing on a 3rd and goal pass attempt to a wide-open Bijan Robinson, forcing Atlanta to settle for a field goal.

The Falcons' defense managed to get a quick stop and get the ball back in Ridder's hands, but the quarterback threw another ill-timed, ill-advised pass, which was picked off by Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis III, setting up a 1st and goal for the visitors.

The Buccaneers capitalized and scored a touchdown to take a 10-3 lead. Late in the second quarter, Ridder was yet again caught napping, as he failed to feel the pressure and was sacked in the Falcons' endzone, resulting in a safety.

Fans were thoroughly unimpressed with the Falcons quarterback's mistakes and did not pull punches while criticizing him on social media. Here are some of the comments from fans:

NFC South title race: Desmond Ridder and Falcons lose top spot

Desmond Ridder gets sacked

Desmond Ridder's mistakes in the first half ended up hurting the Falcons, as they lost 29-25 to the Buccaneers. Atlanta led 25-22 with just over three minutes left in the game. However, Baker Mayfield engineered a 12-play game-winning drive to help the Buccaneers walk away with the win.

The Buccaneers, Falcons, and New Orleans Saints, who beat the Carolina Panthers 28-6 on Sunday, are all tied at 6-7. Tampa Bay leads the way, courtesy of the tiebreaker rules. The Buccaneers will win the division if they win their remaining four games.

The Falcons will have to rely on one of Tampa Bay's four remaining opponents to do them a favor and run the table themselves. A win over the Buccaneers would have seen Atlanta assume complete control over their playoff destiny and take a one-game lead in the division standings. A tough loss to swallow for the Falcons.