JUST IN: NFL Chief Reporter issues a Fresh Update on Threat Surrounding Falcons Arthur Smith Job amid late-season collapse

With the report regarding head coach Arthur Smith’s future, the Atlanta Falcons’ remaining regular-season schedule gained significance in what was already going to be a big four-week stretch. According to ESPN, Smith is expected to remain as the team’s coach in 2024, barring a late-season collapse.

At the very least, Smith, 41, has been consistent as Falcons coach over the past two years. During his first two seasons, the team went 7-10. The Falcons are 6-7 heading into the final stretch of the 2023 regular season. Atlanta is currently tied for first place in the division with three other teams.

Smith took over a Falcons team that had not made the playoffs since 2016, as well as the franchise’s last winning season. Prior to Smith’s arrival, the Falcons won seven, seven, and four games.

Smith, a former offensive coordinator in Tennessee, has his current offense ranked 24th in the NFL in terms of scoring. While the running game has been one of the best in the league, Atlanta ranks 21st in passing and 25th in touchdown passes. Desmond Ridder, who was benched earlier in the season, has thrown nine touchdowns and nine interceptions this season.

Ridder has a 6-5 record as a starter for the Falcons, which is why he was reinserted into the lineup over Taylor Heinicke, who lost both of his starts.
While Ridder is still developing, the Falcons already have some of the best young skill players in the NFL in rookie Bijan Robinson, tight end Kyle Pitts, and wideout Drake London. Robinson has over 1,100 all-purpose yards and leads the team in touchdown catches. Pitts ranks second on the team in catches, yards, and touchdown receptions. In terms of catches and receiving yards, London leads Atlanta.

The Falcons’ success this season has been primarily due to their defense. The unit, which added Jessie Bates III and Calais Campbell this offseason, is ninth in the NFL in passing yards allowed, second in touchdown runs allowed, third in red zone efficiency, and second in red zone efficiency.

Smith’s team enters the final month of the season in 10th place in the NFC standings. However, if the Falcons can dethrone the Buccaneers as NFC South division champions, they will move up to fourth place. The Falcons’ remaining four games are against the 1-12 Carolina Panthers, at home against the 7-6 Indianapolis Colts, at 5-8 Chicago, and at 6-7 New Orleans, the other NFC South team that is still alive.