The Falcons let one get away from them yesterday against the Buccaneers, who now sit in sole possession of the division.
Atlanta played the opposite of clean football, as they have all season long. Arthur Smith’s team constantly shot itself in the foot. Whether it was poor play calling or execution, the Falcons head coach didn’t help out the offense and quarterback very much.
They also left a lot of points on the board, at least 10 points by my count and one could argue even more. Younghoe Koo uncharacteristically missed a pair of field goals, and Desmond Ridder missed a wide-open Bijan Robinson on the offense’s opening drive, forcing the Falcons to settle for a field goal.
Then, there was an interception and safety that could be placed on the shoulders of Keith Smith, Arthur Smith, Kyle Pitts, Van Jefferson, and Desmond Ridder.
The Falcons limped into this one but had more than one opportunity to walk away victorious. To add insult to injury, literally, the club left the game with several key players injured.
Atlanta came into the contest missing Jeff Okudah, Nate Landman, Drew Dalman, Kaleb McGary, and David Onyemata but finished with even more injuries. Jake Matthews and Chris Lindstrom went down, but fortunately, the latter was able to return. Kentavius Street also left the game, which hurt considerably given the loss of Onyemata and Grady Jarrett.
The injuries certainly weren’t the sole reason the Falcons lost, but it was a factor in Atlanta’s shortcomings.
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Photographer: John Byrum/Icon Sportswire
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