The Falcons fell to the Buccaneers over the weekend in one of the most disappointing losses of the Arthur Smith era.
Atlanta had multiple opportunities to take the Week 13 contest, but the offense continuously failed to get things going in the second half until the second-to-last drive. And on the other side, the defense was steadfast until the final drive, when they surrendered the go-ahead touchdown to Baker Mayfield and Tampa Bay.
The contest’s results propelled the Bucs into first place and drug the Falcons behind them, giving fans an inauspicious feeling about where this season is headed. Anything less than a postseason berth should be considered a failure.
With four games left to play, the Dirty Birds are in a similar position as they have been in the first two seasons under Arthur Smith; however, there’s a key difference. The investment in the roster was supposed to net better results; it hasn’t to this point.
It begs the question: what has to change for the Falcons to recapture that sustained success they had for a decade before the new regime took over?
Some fans might point to Arthur Smith, and that criticism would be fair because he hasn’t held up his end of the bargain in 2023 and deserves a share of the blame. However, those same Falcons fans need to realize circumstances matter.
It was the very first year in which Arthur Blank had legitimate expectations. Out from underneath the salary cap mess, Arthur Smith had his choice of a quarterback and a competent roster, but the Falcons owner has never been one to jump the gun.
In fact, Blank has been the exact opposite type of owner. He holds on too long, which is exactly why Smith’s job is safe for 2024, barring a collapse to end the season, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
“It seems like a job could open in this division, depending on how things play out. The sense I get after asking around is that Arthur Smith is safe in Atlanta, barring a late-season collapse.”
I would argue a loss to the Panthers should be characterized as a collapse, and I even described a loss as potentially lethal to Smith and the Falcons.
However, as I stated in an earlier blog, the Falcons coach will more than likely be in the building next year, regardless of how the 2023 campaign turns out because of Blank’s patience.
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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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