After losing a very winnable game to the Buccaneers, the Falcons fell to the 1-12 (now 2-12) Panthers yesterday in what feels like the low point of the Arthur Smith era.
This club has lost in embarrassing fashion over the two-plus seasons that Smith has been head coach, but this was more than just humiliation. The 9-7 defeat has brought up questions of his job security.
With the playoffs potentially on the line, the Falcons just needed to beat a lifeless, coachless Panthers team that had no business winning this football game. Atlanta faced similar struggles as they have all season. Smith didn’t get his playmakers — Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts, and Drake London — the ball, Desmond Ridder committed a costly red zone turnover, and the defense collapsed at the worst possible time.
This Falcons team isn’t a good one; they’re inconsistent at best. In a campaign that was supposed to end with a postseason berth, Atlanta will once again be watching from their couch barring a total collapse from the Buccaneers and Saints.
Derrick Brown had a bit of fun at the Falcons’ expense too. During his postgame media session, he told reporters the stark reality the Falcons are facing — early vacation.
Panthers DL Derrick Brown postgame:
"The Falcons are going on vacation like we are."
— Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) December 18, 2023
It’s certainly funny to laugh at if you’re a Panthers fan, or even a Falcons fan if you’ve been wanting Desmond Ridder and Arthur Smith out of town. This type of performance is certainly one that could cost some jobs. At the very least, we finally know (which I’ve known for months) that Ridder isn’t going to be the quarterback in 2024. As for his head coach, I’m sure we’ll find out what his fate is soon.
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Photographer: John Byrum/Icon Sportswire
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