A few weeks ago, the Falcons looked primed to end their postseason drought. A home win against the Buccaneers in Week 14 would’ve put them atop the division with a commanding lead.
As they have all season, Arthur Smith’s team blew the opportunity behind an inconsistent, turnover-filled performance. Yet, it didn’t take them out of the playoff picture. The NFC South was anyone’s to take, but the Falcons somehow fell to the worst team in the league the following week.
Against the 1-12 Panthers, they only mustered seven points and squandered a lead away in the final minutes of the game thanks to another Desmond Ridder red zone turnover and a late defensive collapse.
It effectively dashed their postseason hopes, and Arthur Smith’s club has nobody to blame but themselves.
Arthur Smith on the tight NFC South race:
"It’s our own fault that we’re not in total control."
— Amna (@amna__subhan) January 3, 2024
Somehow, the Falcons can still make the playoffs. If they beat the Saints in New Orleans and the Panthers top the Buccaneers in Carolina, Atlanta will host its first postseason contest since the 2016 season.
It would be an ironic end to an otherwise disappointing season for the Falcons. Arthur Smith would certainly save his job if this is the case, but there’s an equally hilarious outcome if they lose to their division rivals.
The Falcons could wind up with the 8th overall pick if they lose this Sunday and the Jets beat the Patriots. Another 7-10 season and a third straight draft with the 8th overall selection would certainly warrant Arthur Smith losing his job, even if the quarterback play has been the biggest deterrent to Atlanta’s success.
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Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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