The Atlanta Falcons‘ season has been up and down and all over the place. Recently, though, it’s been trending downwards. Sitting at 6-8 this season, they are third in the NFC South and hanging on by a thread.
In Week 15, the Falcons hit rock bottom, losing to the one-win Carolina Panthers 9-7. The win was the Panthers’ first win since beating the Houston Texans in Week 8.
Arthur Smith Vows Total Dedication to Falcons’ Redemption
The Falcons came into the season with minimal expectations, holding just 70-1 odds to win the Super Bowl. However, they started the season 2-0, defeating the Panthers and Green Bay Packers.
After the 2-0 start, they went 4-8 in their next 12. Their most recent loss was to the Panthers, who they had beat in Week 1, 24-10. According to HC Arthur Smith, the Falcons will do anything to right the ship. “We will die trying to make sure we get this right,” said Smith.
VIDEO: "We will die trying to make sure we get this right."
Arthur Smith with a message to #Falcons fans when asked about their frustration with the current state of the team. pic.twitter.com/25OdNqd6wO
— Miles Garrett (@MilesGarrettTV) December 18, 2023
In the loss to the Panthers, Atlanta had two turnovers to Carolina’s zero. They consisted of an interception thrown by QB Desmond Ridder and a fumble by RB Bijan Robinson.
MORE: Atlanta Falcons Depth Chart
The Panthers also outgained the Falcons 283-204 and dominated the time of possession 33:56 to 26:04.
The Falcons scored the first points of the game with a Ridder passing touchdown to RB Cordarrelle Patterson. Those were their only points for the rest of the game.
The Falcons hired Smith as their head coach in 2021 after being with the Tennessee Titans since 2011. Smith was the Titans’ offensive coordinator from 2019-2020.
The Falcons have three remaining games in their schedule. They will face the Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears, and New Orleans Saints. Although their season seems bleak, they are just one and a half games behind first place in the NFC South. The 7-7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, however, have a two-game advantage in conference record.
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