The Falcons are coming off an inexcusable loss to the Commanders. For most of the afternoon, Arthur Smith’s team looked in control, even if they were down a couple of scores.
Ryan Nielsen’s defense stepped up when they needed to, forcing multiple three-and-outs, giving Desmond Ridder and the offense more than a handful of chances to make a comeback. Even down two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, it never seemed out of reach.
The offense was moving the ball, and the defense was coming up with big stops. Ridder and Smith would eventually nix any idea of another late-game comeback.
Whether it was operational dysfunction from Arthur Smith or indefensible interceptions by Desmond Ridder, the Falcons offense was to blame. The club’s owner, Arthur Blank, spoke with 92.9 The Game and gave more of the same — generic, coach speak.
Arthur Blank on @929TheGame this morning: "On offense, we haven't had the kind of consistency that we'd like to see, and I think that was pretty clear again yesterday…" 1/
— Mike Conti (@MikeConti929) October 16, 2023
I recommend going through the entire Twitter thread because it’s become very obvious that there is no quarterback change on the horizon. The Falcons, Arthur Blank, Arthur Smith, and everyone in Flowery Branch have put their weight behind Desmond Ridder.
For better or worse, the Falcons have to see it through with Ridder, which means a lot more Sundays like the one we just watched. The highs are high with Ridder, but the lows are too low for any type of consistency.
There’s no beating around the bush that the Falcons’ ceiling is severely capped by their quarterback. That’s not to say he cannot develop into a serviceable starter in this league. But at what cost? The club is in a position to win right now with their most dynamic offensive weapons on rookie contracts.
That doesn’t seem to be the thinking of leadership, though.
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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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