BALTIMORE (AP) — In a period stuffed with slim losses, the Atlanta Falcons noticed their trim playoff hopes close by virtue of a chilling defeat that featured a common sluggish begin and finished with mentor Arthur Smith once again chatting about the team’s need to have to exhibit progress.
In between the opening kickoff and final whistle of their 17-9 setback versus the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, the Falcons ended up plagued by untimely penalties, a expensive turnover and inadequate execution in the crimson zone.
The loss eliminated Atlanta (5-10) from playoff rivalry, a fate that appeared inescapable after the team nosedived next a 3-3 start off. Guaranteed, the Falcons have dropped 8 game titles by 8 details or much less, but that has not created their latest 4-sport skid any a lot easier to get.
“Ultimately, it’s about profitable,” Smith explained. “You can glance at the development that’s getting made. But we’ve obtained to discover techniques to enjoy with a guide. We’ve acquired to obtain a way to get more than that hump.”
With rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder creating his next NFL start off, the Falcons went a few-and-out on each and every of their 1st two possessions and experienced only 12 yards in offense for the duration of a initially quarter played in frosty 17-degree temperature. Baltimore constructed a 14-3 guide at halftime and cruised to the complete though retaining Atlanta out of the stop zone.
The refs did not enable. In the final moment of the very first 50 percent, an intentional grounding phone versus Ridder even though he was seemingly being hit turned a very first-and-objective at the 1 into a hasty subject objective as time expired.
Smith furiously objected to the simply call from the sideline, but afterward opted to keep his comments — and potential fantastic revenue for criticizing the officers — to himself.
“I’d rather give that income to individuals in Atlanta,” Smith said. “If they’re likely to high-quality me a lot of funds, I’d fairly give it to individuals who require it.”
Atlanta was also burned by a holding call on a third-quarter touchdown run that would have cut the deficit to 14-9, pending the conversion. And there was a fumble by star receiver Drake London in the second quarter, which turned out to be the only turnover of the match.
All round, the Falcons transformed only 5 of 14 third-down tried using, went for 4 on fourth down and unsuccessful to score a touchdown for the duration of four trips to the pink zone.
“Situation football,” Ridder said. “At the stop of the day, we go back and look at crimson zone, third down and turnovers, generating absolutely sure we get all all those factors. Of course, situational soccer was not our best currently. That’s a thing we’ll glance at and try out to get superior at.”
Afterward, Smith talked about seeking to demonstrate improvement in the ultimate two months at home in opposition to Arizona and Tampa Bay.
“We’re hunting to earn and progress. Then, I’ll stop coming up below and sounding like a broken record,” he mentioned. “We want to acquire at household, acquire for our admirers and finish this factor out ideal.”
Ridder, who went 22 for 33 for 218 yards, understands precisely how his coach feels.
“We’ve been on a bumpy road up and down this complete calendar year,” the rookie said. “We wished to get in excess of that hump now. Obviously we did not. Now it’s about heading to get the future 1.”
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