Atlanta, GA
Atlanta Falcons see progress despite late collapse
The underside of the NFC West meets the underside of the NFC South this week.
It’s simply that the Arizona Cardinals (4-11) had playoff aspirations, whereas the Atlanta Falcons (5-10) entered the 2022 season clearly in rebuild mode. As for the latter, a surprisingly sturdy begin light right into a swap to see what Atlanta’s younger expertise is all about.
Behind Enemy Traces brings you the important thing storylines and newest information for the Cardinals’ opponent every week this season.
Arthur Smith optimistic about younger Falcons
By The Related Press
ATLANTA (AP) — From 4-4 to 5-10, the Atlanta Falcons have collapsed within the second half of a season that was seen as a rebuilding yr from the beginning.
Even so, that doesn’t take away the sting of dropping for coach Arthur Smith, who’s 12-20 in almost two years on the job.
“Finally, it’s about successful, however you’ll be able to take a look at lots of progress being made,” Smith stated after Saturday’s 17-9 loss at Baltimore. “Our guys are a resilient group. We have to win. I’m grateful we now have one other alternative subsequent week at house.”
When the Falcons carry a four-game dropping streak into a possible half-full Mercedes-Benz Stadium to face Arizona on Sunday, they’ll accomplish that understanding they haven’t had a successful report at any level for the reason that finish of the 2017 season. They’ve missed the playoffs for 5 straight years and have misplaced six of seven, even with a change at quarterback from Marcus Mariota to rookie Desmond Ridder.
All this gloom hasn’t affected Smith’s outlook on the ultimate two video games of the season. Seven of Atlanta’s losses have been by 10 factors or fewer. 5 of the final seven losses have been one-possession video games.
“There was a ton of progress,” Smith stated. “It’s completely different from final yr once we have been in some one-score video games, utterly completely different group and completely different conditions going again and them. We’ve obtained to discover a solution to recover from that hump.”
The Falcons will spend the subsequent two weeks and loads of time within the offseason evaluating whether or not Ridder, a third-round draft alternative from Cincinnati, is the reply at quarterback. 4 video games as a starter is a small pattern measurement, and Ridder has but to indicate he can win within the NFL.
He hasn’t been horrible, both, finishing 35 of 59 passes for 315 yards. He hasn’t thrown a landing go however hasn’t been intercepted, both. His passer score is a mediocre 73.8. Atlanta’s offense beneath Smith is run-first.
“I believed his decision-making was good, and he was fairly correct,” Smith stated after Ridder accomplished 22 of 33 passes for 218 yards towards Baltimore. “I believed he made some big-time throws when the stress obtained on him within the second half, and that’s what you wish to see. He was calm and picked up, and I believed he delivered the soccer.
“A pair issues right here and there that we now have to have a look at down within the pink zone. Quick yardage and issues like that. However I believed from the pocket presence towards a high quality protection that provides you lots of appears, I believed he had fairly good poise.”
WHAT’S WORKING
Rookie Tyler Allgeier, who led the group with 74 yards dashing on 18 carries towards Baltimore, has developed right into a stable starter for a fifth-round draft decide. Allgeier is difficult to carry down as soon as he hits a gap, and he’s proven sturdiness, enjoying in each sport besides Week 1 and never lacking follow. He leads the group with 817 yards dashing, and his 4.9 yards per carry is second.
WHAT NEEDS HELP
The red-zone offense was abysmal. 4 of Atlanta’s remaining 5 drives ended inside Baltimore’s 20-yard line, however the group was held with no landing.
STOCK UP
Second-year security Richie Grant led the protection with seven solo tackles and 10 complete stops and is second on the group behind linebacker Rashaan Evans with 61 solo tackles and 106 complete stops. Grant, who didn’t begin for a lot of final yr, has two interceptions, and his seven go breakups are second on the group to A.J. Terrell’s eight.
STOCK DOWN
Drake London, the eighth general draft decide and the primary receiver chosen, had a pricey fumble for the second straight week. He refused to make use of the chilly climate as an excuse. Final week’s sport was indoors at New Orleans.
“I’m taking pictures my group within the foot, it’s so simple as that,” London stated. “I’m the one who (messed) up. I’m the one who retains placing the ball on the ground, and that shouldn’t be the case. I wish to be sure that this group is aware of I’m surehanded, and proper now, I’m not doing that. It undoubtedly hurts me and kills me. All I can do is simply study from this.”
