Why Atlanta Falcons' Arthur Smith's Play-Calling Hurts Playoff Chances

The Atlanta Falcons have struggled to score touchdowns in the redzone this season, with Sunday's loss to the Minnesota Vikings proving to confirm the reason why further.

The Atlanta Falcons' once-promising start to a season has become uncertain in recent weeks, as they've lost three of their past four games and are currently riding a two-game losing streak. 

Amid the obvious slip in results, coach Arthur Smith, particularly his play calling, has come under fire. No criticism has been louder than former Super Bowl-winning quarterback Kurt Warner, who, in a video released to Twitter following the Week 8 loss to the Tennessee Titans, questioned the play designs within the Falcons' passing game. 

Then, following a response from Smith, which some can easily perceive as harsh, the 31-28 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday didn't exactly help quiet the noise. Rather, more questions are being asked, including about the decision-making in the red zone.

The Falcons rank 19th in red zone efficiency so far this season, and despite having 28 overall trips inside the opponents' 20-yard-line, they've only managed to score touchdowns on half of those. So what's the problem?

The Athletic recently pointed out that the Falcons have rarely used their best weapons. According to The Athletic, of the 41 plays where the Falcons have been within 10 yards of the goal line, rookie running back Bijan Robinson has received just three touches all season, while tight end Kyle Pitts has just two, despite scoring one of those. 

Simply put, the Falcons aren't getting their best players the football in the most crucial position on the field. Constantly settling for field goals and effectively leaving four points on the field adds, as it did on Sunday. 

After an Arnold Ebiketie strip sack gave Atlanta the ball at the Vikings' 1-yard line, who would've thought the ensuing drive wouldn't result in a touchdown? However, that very same drive turned out to be a microcosm of the Falcons' struggles offensively.

The drive began with a false start penalty that backed them up five yards before a five-yard pass completion from Taylor Heinicke to Jonnu Smith got them back to the 1-yard line. Conventional wisdom would say the Falcons would give the ball to Robinson and let him punch it in. Yet, that isn't what happened; Robinson wasn't even on the field for the second or third-and-goal plays.

Atlanta Falcons coach Arthur Smith and running back Bijan Robinson / ClutchPoints

Here's the #Falcons personnel on second and third and goal on the Vikings' one-yard-line.

Who's missing? pic.twitter.com/rojUA2dJ7u

— Harrison Reno (@HarrisonReno) November 8, 2023

Instead, the Falcons had a jet sweep for Smith go for no gain before a Tyler Allgeier run was stuffed for a loss of four yards. 

The Falcons were forced to kick a field goal to take an 11-3 lead midway through the second quarter. Ultimately those four points left on the field proved costly as the Vikings overcame the second-quarter deficit en route to a three-point win. 

“He played a lot of snaps (against Minnesota), and sometimes, his impact away from the ball can open things up,” Smith said about the decision not to give Robinson a touch. “For any rookie, the seasons are long. You’re going to have ebbs and flows. We’ll see how this second half of the season goes, but he’s been a huge part of our offense, and he’ll continue to be.”

As the Falcons prepare for their final game on Sunday versus the Arizona Cardinals before the bye week, adjustments in the red zone certainly need to be near the top of the to-do list for the Falcons in the off-week as they look to make a push for the postseason.