Even though the Falcons have been in this same position at 4-5 under Arthur Smith before, 2023 feels a lot more demoralizing at this point because of the tenure of Smith and the overall talent on the roster.
The Falcons have now dropped back-to-back games to players making their debuts in some capacity. Will Levis made his NFL debut and tossed four touchdowns en route to a Titans victory. Then last week, the Falcons drew rookie fifth-round pick Jarren Hall, who was knocked out of the game early, making way for Josh Dobbs to make his Vikings debut.
The Tennessee product was acquired on Tuesday of that week and had no knowledge of the snap cadence or his teammates’ names, let alone the actual playbook. All he did was lead a game-winning touchdown drive that included a fourth down conversion in which Dobbs was seemingly trapped in the pocket for a game-ending sack.
It was a demoralizing defeat, and one the Falcons never should’ve had. Taylor Heinicke led Atlanta’s offense to a season-high 28 points but two costly turnovers — one Hienicke interception and one Bijan Robinson fumble — as well as redzone miscues proved too much to overcome.
In his press conference the following day, Arthur Smith didn’t seem like his normal spunky, know-it-all, dismissive self. He looked beaten down. Without his mustache, the no-nonsense head coach spoke of moral victories… something I can’t recall ever hearing come out of his mouth.
"We certainly had our opportunities to win this one." Arthur Smith said the Falcons have felt this way in "most" of their losses this season to the Lions, Jags, Commanders, Titans and, now, Vikings.
— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) November 5, 2023
Having chances to win games that you lose shouldn’t be something looked upon fondly. Not in the NFL. It’s much different than college. This isn’t a “how you lose” league that voters can look at and still put you in the playoffs. This is a wins-and-losses league.
The Falcons have had chances, sure, but that’s what we’re highlighting now? That’s bush league. The Falcons have been a hard-nosed football team since Arthur Smith took over, and it seems they’ve lost that edge. Smith could be to blame, but an NFL team is far too complex to shift blame to one individual. A lot of things have to change.
—
Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
You must log in to post a comment.