Arthur Smith hasn’t been shy about his disdain and disregard for predictions leading up to the Falcons’ 2022 season, and after Atlanta blew a 16-point lead to the Saints in the season opener, the second-year head coach anticipated that his squad would continue to be written off and welcomed it.
Smith abruptly ended his postgame presser, telling the gathered media “bury us again, we don’t care. We’ll get back to work.”
Smith was understandably frustrated following the loss as the Falcons missed an opportunity to make a sizable statement in week one, letting an upset victory over New Orleans slip through their fingers.
The Falcons were the better team for three quarters as the defense looked leaps and bounds better than a season ago as did the offensive line, but the fourth quarter told a different story. The pressure that led to four sacks vanished as Jameis Winston picked apart the Falcons' secondary and the Falcons' offense couldn’t capitalize on their trips to the red zone, allowing the Saints to hang around and strike.
Smith’s promise that the Falcons will get back to work will be tested next Sunday as they take a trip out west to face the defending Super Bowl champion Rams who’ll no doubt be motivated coming off a loss to the Bills on opening night.