The Atlanta Falcons are teetering on the brink after one of the worst losses in franchise history, an inexplicable setback that raised questions about the fates of coach Arthur Smith and quarterback Desmond Ridder.
As his third season winds down with the playoffs looking increasingly out of reach, Smith is under intense heat from a disgruntled fan base that is clamoring for a change. Social media was flooded with “#FireArthurSmith” posts, which were sure to get the attention of owner Arthur Blank.
Then there’s Ridder, the second-year signal-caller entrusted by Smith to lead the Falcons back to the postseason. Another boneheaded turnover in a year filled with them led to a dismal 9-7 loss to a Carolina Panthers team that came into Sunday with the NFL’s worst record (1-12) and an interim coach.
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