BALTIMORE (AP) — In a season stuffed with slim losses, the Atlanta Falcons noticed their slender playoff hopes finish by means of distinctive feature of a chilling defeat that featured a well-recognized sluggish get started and ended with trainer Arthur Smith once more speaking in regards to the staff’s wish to display growth.
In between the hole kickoff and ultimate whistle in their 17-9 setback in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, the Falcons had been plagued by means of premature consequences, a expensive turnover and deficient execution within the crimson zone.
The loss eradicated Atlanta (5-10) from playoff rivalry, a destiny that gave the impression inevitable after the staff nosedived following a 3-3 get started. Positive, the Falcons have dropped 8 video games by means of 8 issues or fewer, however that hasn’t made their present four-game skid any more uncomplicated to take.
“In the end, it’s about profitable,” Smith mentioned. “You’ll take a look at the growth that’s being made. However we’ve were given to seek out tactics to play with a lead. We’ve were given to have the opportunity to recover from that hump.”
With rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder making his 2nd NFL get started, the Falcons went three-and-out on each and every in their first two possessions and had best 12 yards in offense throughout a primary quarter performed in frosty 17-degree climate. Baltimore constructed a 14-3 lead at halftime and cruised to the end whilst retaining Atlanta out of the top zone.
The refs did not assist. Within the ultimate minute of the primary part, an intentional grounding name in opposition to Ridder whilst he used to be apparently being hit grew to become a first-and-goal on the 1 right into a hasty box target as time expired.
Smith furiously objected to the decision from the sideline, however in a while opted to stay his feedback — and attainable high quality cash for criticizing the officers — to himself.
“I would moderately give that cash to folks in Atlanta,” Smith mentioned. “In the event that they’re going to high quality me some huge cash, I’d moderately give it to those that want it.”
Atlanta used to be additionally burned by means of a conserving name on a third-quarter landing run that may have lower the deficit to 14-9, pending the conversion. And there used to be a fumble by means of megastar receiver Drake London in the second one quarter, which grew to become out to be the one turnover of the sport.
Total, the Falcons transformed best 5 of 14 third-down attempted, went 0 for 4 on fourth down and failed to attain a landing throughout 4 journeys to the crimson zone.
“State of affairs soccer,” Ridder mentioned. “On the finish of the day, we return and take a look at crimson zone, 1/3 down and turnovers, ensuring we win all the ones issues. Clearly, situational soccer wasn’t our best possible these days. That’s one thing we’ll take a look at and take a look at to recover at.”
Later on, Smith mentioned taking a look to turn growth within the ultimate two weeks at house in opposition to Arizona and Tampa Bay.
“We are taking a look to win and growth. Then, I’ll prevent bobbing up right here and sounding like a damaged document,” he mentioned. “We wish to win at house, win for our lovers and end this factor out proper.”
Ridder, who went 22 for 33 for 218 yards, is aware of precisely how his trainer feels.
“We’ve been on a bumpy street up and down this whole yr,” the rookie mentioned. “We needed to recover from that hump these days. Clearly we didn’t. Now it’s about going to get the following one.”
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