Falcons Not Focused on Making Playoffs? Arthur Smith Shares Message
For Christmas this year, the Atlanta Falcons were provided with playoff hopes.
The Falcons' young roster might not be a Super Bowl favorite, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t giving its all to remain in the playoff hunt and create a culture set to contend going forward.
On Christmas Eve, Atlanta broke its two-game losing streak by defeating the Indianapolis Colts 29-10. Currently, the team holds a record of 7-8, just one game behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the top spot in the NFC South, and head coach Arthur Smith is well aware of the situation with just two games remaining in the season.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith reacts along the sidelines against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
“I think everybody’s aware,” Smith said. “The most important thing is to do my job to the best of my ability and find a way to beat the Bears. That’s all that matters. Things are out of our hands. I’ve been around this league for long enough to know what’s supposed to happen usually doesn’t.”
If the Falcons win out for the remainder of this season, the team will have a 38 percent chance at making the playoffs, according to the New York Times playoff simulator. Though not the greatest odds, a slim chance, there’s a chance nonetheless, and it’s encouraging that Smith and his roster are focused on doing what it can ”n their end to keep hope alive.
“The only thing we can control is getting ready to go on the road to play a good Bears team, Smith said. “They’ve played really well the last two months of the season. They’re playing really fast on defense. They have a really good rushing attack, so we have to be ready to go.”
Chicago has won four out of its past six games and has quarterback Justin Fields fighting to prove that he’s a capable starter that’s worth building around rather than replacing in the draft this year, so they won’t go down easily.
How Atlanta does this week could be a major tone-setter for the franchise's future as Smith attempts to secure his job long-term and establish the Falcons as a legitimate playoff threat.
