What now? Back to Desmond Ridder? Nope. Arthur Smith just announced the Falcons will stick with Taylor Heinicke because … well, who the heck knows? Smith might be better off scribbling a note to self: “When in doubt, trade for Joshua Dobbs?”
Doubt has begun to take hold in the mind of one observer — this one. The Falcons have lost five of seven. Worse, they’ve begun to lose games they shouldn’t. Worse still, they’re losing despite facing a cake schedule and having gotten beaucoup breaks, opposing-quarterback wise.
Sunday marked the third time this season — the second time in two weeks — the opposing QB was making his first NFL start. The Falcons contrived to lose twice in eight days. On Sunday, they lost to a team so strapped for someone to take snaps that they turned to a guy who was an Arizona Cardinal when the week began.
I’m wondering if I’ve overrated the Falcons. (For all my failings, expecting too much of this franchise has seldom been among them.) I’m wondering if I’ve overrated their coach.
When this team drafted Bijan Robinson, I assumed he’d become a focal point. Why else take a running back in Round 1? On Sunday, he rushed 11 times and caught two passes. Tyler Allgeier, who was already on hand, had a slightly busier day — 12 rushes, two catches.