The Atlanta Falcons took a major step back on Sunday after falling to the Washington Commanders 24-16 at home. The team is now back to .500 at 3-3 but still has a favorable schedule ahead with the Buccaneers, Titans and Vikings ahead. The negative takeaway from the loss, however, is the brutal performances by QB Desmond Ridder and Head Coach Arthur Smith. Mistakes were made by both all over the field from mismanaged timeouts to game-breaking interceptions thrown by Ridder. It will be a tough week at Flowery Branch as the team watches back the game film and sees all the mistakes that were made on offense.
The team’s defense was once again the calling card and veteran DE Calais Campbell even secured his 100th career sack, but their effort was once again wasted. The critical errors made by the offensive coaching staff and quarterback sunk any chance the team had after falling down 17-7 in the second quarter. Ridder’s third interception on the afternoon gave the ball back to the Commanders late enough in the fourth quarter they just had to kneel down to ice away the game.
Dukes & Bell know Coach Smith needs to have better command of critical situations in the game in order for the team to have success long-term
“When it mattered most, Dukes-ism, he blew the game. When we needed to have a play call in instead of blowing the game, the coach blew the game. Mike, as we look at this game, and we look at all the things played out, there are so many things that bugged me about this game,” Carl Dukes explained.
The Falcons still have every opportunity to compete for a playoff spot as well as a division title. Those dreams will be dashed, though, if performances like the one on Sunday are more of the norm than an anomaly.
