The Atlanta Falcons face a critical point Sunday when they take on the Saints in their final regular season game of the season. The result on the field matters for their playoff hopes, they must win to keep them alive, but the off-field result matters perhaps even more. If the team loses the game all cards are on the table for players and coaches. Could there be major change in Atlanta if they finish 7-10 for the third season in a row?
Coach Smith acknowledged that the offense has not been up to snuff considering all the weapons the team has accumulated via the draft the last three seasons. The combination of Bijon Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts should be enough to match some of the elite groups in the league. They currently sit as the 19th ranked unit in the league. Quarterback play has certainly not helped and the decision to stick with Desmond Ridder this season falls on his shoulders. Coach Smith cited consistency as the main reason for the team’s flaws on offense.
For GM Terry Fontenot, results will not be solely on his shoulders. He has assembled decent to above-average drafts and has excelled at bringing in veteran free agents. Coach Arthur Smith has to be the one, if he returns, to make those pieces fit and work together on the field. Sunday’s matchup will be the first critical step in making the rest of the dominoes fall.
