Atlanta Falcons Playoff Hopes a 'Long Shot' After Crushing Loss to Carolina Panthers
As rain steadily fell Sunday at Bank of America Stadium, it's possible the Atlanta Falcons' postseason chances came crashing down with it.
The Falcons (6-8) suffered a 9-7 loss to the Carolina Panthers (2-12) behind Eddy Piniero's 23-yard field goal as time expired, giving Carolina its first victory since Oct. 29.
In a two-week timespan, Atlanta's playoff hopes have flipped on its head, going from sole possession of first place in the NFC South to a game behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints, both of whom have won their past two games.
After last Sunday's 29-25 loss to Tampa Bay, the Falcons don't have the tiebreaker over the Buccaneers, meaning they'll need another two-game swing over the season's final three weeks to win the division.
Atlanta's odds of securing a wildcard bid are much higher, as the final two slots are currently held by teams with 7-7 records - the Saints and Minnesota Vikings.
The Falcons currently own the tiebreaker over the Saints, but the two will meet again in Week 18 - and New Orleans and Tampa Bay will play each other before then, which could give Atlanta a more difficult road should the Buccaneers become the team to beat for the last wildcard spot.
Minnesota also boasts the tiebreaker over Atlanta, sparked by its 31-28 victory inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Nov. 5.
In essence, the Falcons' dreams of making the playoffs for the first time in six years appear to be facing a sobering reality.
"We'll still have that opportunity, (but) it'll look like a long shot," Falcons coach Arthur Smith said.
Atlanta's won back-to-back games twice this season but followed suit by losing consecutive contests each time. It's been on a rollercoaster ride, one that's featured eight losses in 12 games after an encouraging 2-0 start.
Solving these inconsistencies has been a priority for Smith. After Sunday's loss, he's still searching - and it starts with quarterback Desmond Ridder.
"We've just got to find a way to be consistent, not have those ups and downs and be able to go out there and win," Ridder said. "When we do that, I think we'll be a great team."
But the Falcons have only three more games to figure it out, and as tight end Jonnu Smith said postgame, it's time to turn words into action.
Asked if Ridder will start next Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, Arthur Smith responded by stating nothing's set in stone.
Dec 17, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) runs as Carolina Panthers safety Xavier Woods (25) defends in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium.
Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Atlanta was at a similar crossroads after a Week 8 loss to the Tennessee Titans, when Ridder entered concussion protocol and backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke infused life into the offense in the second half.
But Heinicke, who started - and lost - the next two games, did little to inspire confidence he's the solution to any of Atlanta's biggest issues.
The Falcons mustered only 204 total yards of offense and gained just 12 first downs. Their rushing attack, which has become the offense's identity, averaged a mere 1.7 yards per carry, taking 31 attempts for 52 yards.
Defensively, Atlanta's largely been strong - it didn't allow a touchdown to Carolina - but has allowed a go-ahead score in the final minute of each of the Falcons' past four losses.
There's lots to change, and Atlanta is now down to its last breath - but Smith remains optimistic his team's postseason hopes aren't fully squashed.
"Still got life, and we've got to find a way to fix some of these issues," Smith said. "A lot of crazy things can still happen, but these last two do sting. We've had our opportunities. Regardless of the score, still had leads in both. Didn't get it done, though."
The Falcons, mathematically, are still very much alive, with pathways to both the NFC South crown and wildcard spots clearly recognizable.
But Atlanta's last two losses have marked notable steps backwards, and the chance to learn from past mistakes haven't translated to new results in the win column.
Still, there are three weeks left to salvage a disappointing season - and that remains the focus inside Atlanta's locker room.
"It's tough, but we've got to get up and go back to work the next day," Ridder said. "World isn't going to stop. Everyone's going to keep going and we've got to be able to get up, come back, learn from it and finish the season strong no matter how it ends."
When the Falcons were eliminated from playoff contention by the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16 last season, veteran defensive tackle Grady Jarrett described it as the "same s---, different year."
Despite spending $190 million this offseason, Atlanta's trending towards a similar fate in 2023 ... and after losing to a now-two-win Panthers team that failed to score a touchdown, has nobody to blame but itself.
"Coming off two close losses in the division certainly changes things in eight days, but still got three more," Smith said. "We've got to find a way. We did it to ourselves. We've got to get back in there and find a way to beat Indy."
The Falcons will host the Colts at 1 p.m. EST next Sunday inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
