The Falcons were ready to break through their postseason slump a few weeks ago. They would have taken a commanding lead atop the division with a victory at home against the Buccaneers in Week 14.
Arthur Smith’s club wasted the opportunity with an erratic, turnover-prone effort, much like they have done all season. However, it did not eliminate them from the postseason picture. The following week, the Falcons somehow lost to the poorest team in the league, even though the NFC South was still up for grabs.
They could only generate seven points against the 1-12 Panthers, and in the closing minutes of the game, they let a lead slip away due to a late defensive collapse and another Desmond Ridder red zone blunder.
Their aspirations of making it to the postseason were basically destroyed, and Arthur Smith’s team only had themselves to blame.
The Falcons can still qualify for the postseason in some way. The Panthers will host their first postseason game since the 2016 season if they defeat the Saints in New Orleans and the Bucs in Carolina.
For the Falcons, it would be an ironic cap to a season that was generally disappointing. If this is the case, Arthur Smith would undoubtedly keep his job, but if they lose to their division opponents, the situation would be just as amusing.
In the event that the Jets defeat the Patriots this Sunday and the Falcons lose, they may end up with the eighth overall pick. Arthur Smith’s firing would be justified by another 7–10 season and a third consecutive draft with the eighth overall pick, even if Atlanta’s quarterback play has been the main obstacle to their success.
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