The Atlanta Falcons set themselves up for another fourth-quarter comeback in Week 6, but this time, the offense came up short.
Quarterback Desmond Ridder turned a promising start into a nightmarish finish, throwing three interceptions during Sunday’s 24-16 loss to the Commanders. The Falcons now sit at 3-3 following their 2-0 start.
Things won’t get any easier as Atlanta travels to Tampa Bay to face the 3-2 Buccaneers in Week 7. After the game, head coach Arthur Smith talked about turnovers, communication issues, and the decision to go for two.
Smith on failed 2-point conversion
Falcons head coach Arthur Smith on the failed 2-point conversion: "Those are the consequences you live with."
Said there were two instances where the Falcons made the same call last year.
— Terrin Waack (@TerrinWaack) October 15, 2023
When asked about the decision to go for two with the team down by eight points in the fourth quarter, Smith said it’s something the team has done before. “Those are consequences you live with,” explained the Falcons head coach.
Smith on rocky fourth quarter
Falcons head coach Arthur Smith on the fourth quarter: "It's a tough pill to swallow. We had plenty of opportunities, but Washington made the plays."
— Terrin Waack (@TerrinWaack) October 15, 2023
Atlanta’s fourth-quarter performance left a lot to be desired. The team turned the ball over in the red zone and essentially crumbled during the game’s biggest moments. “It’s a tough pill to swallow,” said Smith. “We had plenty of opportunities, but Washington made the plays.”
Smith on turnovers
"We've turned the ball over too much lately."
-Arthur Smith postgame https://t.co/KeB8WLLw04— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) October 15, 2023
The Falcons threw three interceptions and it was likely the difference in the game. Desmond Ridder looked good on the first couple of drives, but his opening second-half interception was a crusher. Ridder later threw a pick in the red zone that took potential points off the board. “We’ve turned the ball over too much lately,” said Smith after Sunday’s game.
Smith on communication issues
"It hasn't been an issue. It was today." Arthur Smith said there was a lot of miscommunication today for the Falcons offense.
"Some of our operations weren't that clean… We need to fix that and we will."
— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) October 15, 2023
The Falcons made some critical mistakes on offense in which it was clear there was some miscommunication. “It hasn’t been an issue — it was today,” said Smith. “Some of our operations weren’t that clean. We need to fix that and we will.”
