The Falcons are set to travel to Charlotte this weekend to take on the 1-12 Panthers in what has become a must-win if Arthur Smith’s club wants to keep its playoff hopes alive.
For many teams, Carolina would be considered a second bye week. Hell, the Saints aren’t a very good team and boat raced them last week while only accruing 206 yards of total offense. Bryce Young and the Cats are arguably the worst team in the league; it’s why they’re in the line to own the 1st overall pick in the 2024 draft, only for it to go to the Bears.
Carolina is a franchise without a pulse right now, and somehow, the Falcons are only three-point favorites. It’s because Vegas and the betting market don’t know which of the many personalities is going to show up.
Moreover, the NFL is a very special league. It’s not like college football. ‘Any Given Sunday’ is a popular phrase for a reason, and it’s why I never buy into the notion of an ‘easy schedule’ because there is no such thing.
The talent discrepancy between the worst team and the best team isn’t as great as many fans believe. It’s certainly not as great between the worst (Panthers) and a below average team like the Falcons. It’s why Arthur Smith referenced the Titans loss to the 0-13 Colts in 2011 today at his press conference.
As the Falcons prepare for the 1-12 Panthers, Arthur Smith recounted with vivid clarity a loss his Titans took in 2011 to the @danorlovsky7 led Indianapolis Colts, who were 0-13 playing a 7-6 Titans team.
— Joe Patrick (@japatrick200) December 13, 2023
It’s a stark reminder that any team can lose on any given day in this league, especially the Falcons, who have consistently been the most inconsistent team in 2023.
The 2-14 Colts ended up with the 1st overall pick that landed them Andrew Luck, but they were still able to notch a pair of wins, including one over the Titans, who finished with a 9-7 record and in second place in the AFC South.
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Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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