One of the most disappointing losses of the Arthur Smith era occurred when the Falcons lost to the Buccaneers over the weekend.
Up until the final drive of the game, Atlanta had numerous chances to win the Week 13 match, but the offense was unable to get going in the second half. Conversely, the defense held firm until the very end, when they allowed Tampa Bay and Baker Mayfield to score the game-winning touchdown.
The Bucs’ dominance of the game helped them take the lead and put the Falcons in their wake, giving fans a pessimistic outlook for the rest of the season. A postseason berth is the minimum expectation and anything less is a failure.
The Dirty Birds are in a similar situation as they were in the first two seasons under Arthur Smith with four games remaining, but there is a significant difference. Up until now, the roster investment hasn’t produced the desired results.
It begs the question of what needs to happen in order for the Falcons to achieve the kind of consistent success they enjoyed for ten years prior to the arrival of the new regime.
Some fans may blame Arthur Smith, and that criticism is valid given that he hasn’t lived up to his end of the agreement in 2023 and should take some of the guilt. Those same Falcons supporters must understand that circumstances do matter.
This was Arthur Blank’s first year with realistic expectations. Arthur Smith had his pick of a quarterback and a solid roster coming out from under the salary cap mess, but the Falcons owner has never been one to jump the gun.
Blank has, in actuality, been the complete opposite kind of owner. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Smith holds on too long, which is precisely why, barring a collapse to end the season, his job is safe for 2024.
Depending on how things work out, it appears that a position in this division might become available. After doing some research, I believe that, barring a collapse in the latter part of the season, Arthur Smith is secure in Atlanta.
I even suggested that a loss to the Panthers could be fatal for Smith and the Falcons, arguing that it should be seen as a collapse.
But because of Blank’s patience, as I mentioned in a previous blog, the Falcons coach will most likely be in the building next season, regardless of how the 2023 campaign plays out.
Leave a Reply