Atlanta Falcons' Arthur Smith Explains Controversial Decision From Washington Commanders Loss
The Atlanta Falcons dropped to 3-3 on Sunday after their 24-16 loss to the Washington Commanders, in a game where the boxscore says they outplayed their opponent.
The Falcons outgained the Commanders in total yards with 402 compared to 192, along with averaging more yards per play. So, how did Atlanta lose this game?
Turnovers and operational errors. Quarterback Desmond Ridder threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns, making it the second week in a row he has eclipsed the 300-yard mark passing, but he also had three very costly interceptions.
But, while two of Ridder's interceptions came in the fourth quarter, he doesn't deserve all the blame; some of it can also be put on coach Arthur Smith, like the decision to go for two after cutting the deficit to one score.
Atlanta Falcons coach Arthur Smith (left) and quarterback Desmond Ridder (right).
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“Yeah, we did it last year in LA," Smith said of his decision to forego the extra point. "We were down 14 in the fourth quarter. Those are consequences you live with. We did it in LA. I believe we got it to six. We did it in Tampa last year, right? ... But we've done it before, like I said. And then we even got the penalty, got on the one, and they stopped us. But, yeah, we did it last year, twice.”
After going down two scores early in the third quarter as Commanders' signal-caller Sam Howell found running back Brian Robinson for a touchdown to extend their lead to 24-10, an early fourth-quarter drive for the Falcons managed to cut the deficit back down to just one touchdown as Ridder found Jonnu Smith.
However, instead of taking the extra point to make the game 24-17, Smith went for two, which backfired as the Falcons' deficit remained at eight points.
While the decision to go for two points didn't work out as it had in the past for Smith and the Falcons, it didn't seem to matter at the end of Ridder's two interceptions prevented the Falcons from getting back into the endzone. The last came in the redzone as an underpressure Ridder threw one up to Drake London, which sealed the deal for the Commanders as Jamin Davis made the Falcons pay for the ill-advised throw.
The Falcons will look to bounce back from their errors on Sunday as they travel to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Raymond James Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
