For all intents and purposes, the 2023 Panthers are dead. That’s not to say a new head coach can’t resurrect the franchise next season, but the Falcons’ Week 13 opponents are lifeless at the moment.
On Sunday, Carolina traveled to the Bayou to take on the measly Saints, who only managed 206 yards of total offense and still somehow blew out the Cats. Bryce Young’s struggles continued, having completed just 13 of 36 passes for 137 yards while also taking four sacks.
Without a head coach or even a sense of direction, the Falcons division foes are about as lost as an NFL club could be, one that’s destined for the worst record in the league. And somehow, I don’t have much faith in Arthur Smith’s team.
Neither does Vegas apparently because oddsmakers only see the Falcons as field goal favorites over the Panthers in Charlotte this weekend. It’s a game that could potentially deal a lethal blow to Smith and the Falcons if they lose.
Even after a frustrating loss to the Buccaneers, the Falcons still very well could capture a postseason berth with two division games left and two others against the Bears and Colts. A loss on Sunday to the Panthers would dramatically impact those playoff odds.
Secondly, and maybe more importantly, Arthur Smith’s job could be seriously on the line if he falls to a coach-less Carolina team. I have been outspoken that Smith’s job security isn’t even a question in 2023 because it’s the first season that Arthur Blank had real expectations for the team.
Salary cap and talent issues gave Smith and Terry Fontenot a pass in their first two seasons. Now, they had their pick of the litter in Desmond Ridder with a playoff-caliber roster and might still finish with a sub-.500 record. That’s not going to fly with the big cheese.
If Arthur Smith squanders the NFC South in the season finale, it would be one thing; however, losing to the Panthers to potentially end another campaign with a 7-10 record might be unforgivable.
Given Arthur Blank’s patient nature with his coaches, I still think Arthur Smith will be the head coach of the Falcons in 2024, regardless of what happens over these final four games. Still, his job security next year should certainly hinge on how he finishes this year.
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Photographer: Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire
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