Atlanta Falcons coach Arthur Smith wants to see the players who can face adversity. He’s in luck because the Falcons flew home from London after a 23-7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The team’s momentum of a 2-0 start is gone, followed by questions about the quarterback. Offensive players Drake London and Kyle Pitts aren’t producing much, and a strong defensive start is being overshadowed by offensive ineptitude.
“If you’ve got the wrong guys, it’s easy to splinter and ride the roller coaster, but we have the right guys,” Smith said after the loss at Wembley Stadium. “We know we have to get back and get this thing rolling and get back on the winning track.”
Questions on the quarterback
The most commented statement from Smith after the game was: “It’s always going to start with me, and we have to go back and objectively look at everything. Whatever we have to do to get this thing jump-started is what we’re going to do.”
The “Whatever” in the statement indicates the consideration of change at Quarterback. Smith also mentioned that he didn’t consider replacing Ridder with veteran backup Taylor Heinicke for the second half.
Ridder was 9-for-14 for 73 yards and two ugly interceptions in the opening 30 minutes. “I did a terrible job of taking care of the ball,” said Ridder. “That changed the momentum of the game. We have to find a way to start faster, whatever we have to do, and I have to do a better job of taking care of the ball.”
Smith called the interceptions as “tough, tough lessons to learn for a young quarterback.” Ridder finished the game 19-for-31 with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Slow starters at the beginning
The Falcons went into the game knowing they had a problem with getting into rhythm early offensively, and they left the game without fixing it. They trailed 17-0 at halftime. In the last two games, they have been outscored 30-3 in the first half.
“We have to find a way to get jump-started earlier,” Smith said. “It’s always going to start with me. We have the right guys in that locker room. We’re going to get back to Atlanta, and we have to get this thing jump-started.”
The Falcons’ only points of the game came on their first drive of the second half when they went 75 yards on eight plays, and Ridder found London for a 15-yard touchdown.
The One bright spot
The Falcons’ defense ranked eighth in the league in yards per play allowed after Sunday’s game. First-year defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen’s unit continues to impress in adverse circumstances.
Atlanta had two sacks, seven quarterback hurries, and was stout against the run all day, allowing the Jaguars running backs only 63 rushing yards.
A defensive wrinkle on the go
Cornerback A.J. Terrell “traveled” with Jacksonville wide receiver Calvin Ridley at times in the game. That’s a change for the Falcons, who usually have their star cornerback stay on one side of the field no matter what team alignment they follow.
Assistant head coach for defense Jerry Gray hinted that the change might be coming but said the Falcons wanted to be sure it didn’t break down the structure of the rest of the defense.
