The Atlanta Falcons finished the season with 10 losses yet again, including stinking up the final game 48-17 to the hapless New Orleans Saints. As a result, head coach Arthur Blank was fired.
The Falcons had an up and down season, but they if they develop (of as some say change) the quarterback position, they have a lot of room to grow.
Falcons Finish Season 7-10
Smith took on the role of head coach for the Atlanta Falcons on January 15, 2021, leading the team for three seasons. Throughout his tenure, the Falcons maintained a consistent 7-10 record each season. His time in Atlanta concludes with an overall record of 21-30.
Despite the early struggles, the Falcons still had a good chance in the NFC South with one week left, but they needed some help.
How did the Falcons do over the course of the season? Let’s take a look.
Here Is The 2023 Atlanta Falcons Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time and Location | Scores / Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 10, 2023 | Carolina Panthers | 1 p..m. at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta | 24-10 – W |
| Sept. 17, 2023 | Green Bay Packers | 1 p..m. at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta | 25-24 W |
| Sept. 24, 2023 | Detroit Lions | 1 p.m. at Ford Field, Detroit | 6-20 L |
| Oct. 1, 2023 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 1 p..m. at Wembly Stadium, London | 7-23 L |
| Oct. 8, 2023 | Houston Texans | 1 p..m. at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta | 21-19 W |
| Oct. 15, 2023 | Washington Commanders | 1 p..m. at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta | 24-16 L |
| Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023 | Tampa Bay Bucs | Raymond James Stadium, 1 p.m. | 16-13 W |
| Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023 | Tennessee Titans | Nissan Stadium, Nashville | 28-23 L |
| Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023 | Minnesota Vikings | 1 p..m. at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta | 31-28 L |
| Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023 | Arizona Cardinals | 4 p.m. State Farm Stadium at Glendale, AZ | 25-23 L |
| Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 | BYE WEEK | ||
| Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023 | New Orleans Saints | 1 p..m. at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta | 24-15 W |
| Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023 | New York Jets | 1 p.m. at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey | 13-8 W |
| Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023 | Tampa Bay Bucs | 1 p..m. at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta | 29-25 L |
| Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023 | Carolina Panthers | Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC | 9-7 L |
| Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023 | Indianapolis Colts | 1 p..m. at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta | 29-10 W |
| Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023 | Chicago Bears | 1 p.m. at Soldier Field, Chicago | 37-17 L |
| Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024 | New Orleans Saints | 1 p.m. at Caesars Super Dome, New Orleans |
Football fans are excited about the Falcons and the moves they’ve made behind quarterback Desmond Ridder. HOw many games will the Falcons win? That remains to be seen. Some people are saying at least 11 games. I think 10 is reasonable given their strength of schedule at home.
They will have to go through the Detroit Lions at Ford Field, Chicago and the always-tough New Orleans Saints in the season finale.
Are The Atlanta Falcons On Thursday Night Football?
The Falcons are one of four teams without any primetime games. The other teams are Arizona, Houston and Indianapolis.
Here are teams with primetime games:
- Buffalo, Dallas, Los Angeles Chargers, Kansas City (6 games)
- Green Bay, New York Giants, Minnesota, Las Vegas, Philadelphia (5 games)
- Baltimore, Cincinnati, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, New England, Pittsburgh (4 games)
- Miami, New Orleans, Jacksonville, Seattle (4 games)
- Carolina, Cleveland, Los Angeles Rams, Tennessee, Tampa Bay (2 games)
- Washington (1 game)
Week 1: Falcons 24, Panthers 10
With the Atlanta Falcons victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, the Dirty Birds are over .500 for first time since finishing 10-6 in 2017. That was the league’s longest active drought of not being over .500.
Atlanta started their 2023 season off with a thrilling 24-10 win against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes Benz Stadium. The game was the NFL debut of rookie Bryce Young, the starting quarterback of the Panthers.
The Falcons broke open a tight game behind three turnovers, including two interceptions by Atlanta safety Emoni Bates.
The Falcons also snapped a five-game losing streak in season openers (was longest active streak and longest streak in franchise history).
Week 2: Falcons 25, Packers 24
A close game came down to a field goal as Atlanta had to come from behind to beat the Green Bay Packers and Jordan Love.
The Atlanta Falcons defended home field on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, with a thrilling 25-24 victory over the Green Bay Packers.
Week 3: Falcons 6, Lions 20
The Falcons lost to the Detroit Lions 20-6 on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. The Falcons offense could get nothing going as quarterback Desmond Ridder was sacked seven times.
Week 4: Jaguars 24, Falcons 6
The Atlanta Falcons lost 24-6 to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL’s international game on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023.
The Falcons defense and offense looked listless against the Jaguars.
Week 5: Falcons 21, Texans 19
In a battle of young quarterbacks, Desmond Ridder outdueled CJ Stroud in the Falcons’ 21-19 victory against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023.
Ridder turned in the best performance in his career, throwing for over 300 yards and limiting his mistakes.
Week 6: Washington Commanders 24, Falcons 16
The Atlanta Falcons lost 24-16 against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 in another mistake-filled game by quarterback Desmond Ridder.
Week 7: Falcons 16, Tampa Bay 13
The Falcons won 16-13 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023 in another mistake-prone game by quarterback Desmond Ridder.
Despite Ridder’s struggles, he had some key plays with his arm and legs against Tampa.
Week 8: Falcons 23, Titans 28
The Falcons had a chance to win the game against the Tennessee Titans late, even after losing starting quarterback Desmond Ridder to a concussion, but they just couldn’t get it done.
Week 9: Falcons 28, Vikings 31
The Atlanta Falcons had to start backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke due to Desmond Ridder still being in concussion protocol. During the game, Atlanta underestimated quarterback Josh Dobbs, who used his legs to scramble for first downs and throw darts at the last minute. The Vikings escaped with a three-point win while the Falcons lost again.
Week 10: Falcons 23, Arizona 25
The Falcons decided to go with Taylor Heinicke again at quarterback for the second week in a row. The Arizona Cardinals did just enough to win against the Atlanta Falcons, 25-23 as Tyler Murray threw for 249 yards and a touchdown.
Week 11: BYE Week
Week 12: Falcons 24, Saints 15
The New Orleans Saints came to Atlanta looking to cement their lead in the division. Instead, they left as losers after Ridder and Bijan Robinson ran all over them for a 24-15 victory.
Week 13: Falcons 7, Panthers 9
The hapless Carolina Panthers couldn’t find the end zone against the Falcons, who were atop the NFC South. But on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, Carolina didn’t need a touchdown to beat the Falcons 9-7 in Charlotte.
The Falcons were up 7-6 and driving with about 7 minutes in the game when Desmond Ridder threw an ill-advised dart into traffic at the Carolina 10-yard line. The pass was picked off.
The Panthers then drove down the field, using up the rest of the game clock, to win the game with an easy field goal in the closing seconds.
Week 17: Falcons 17, Bears 37
Taylor Heinicke threw for 163 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions as the Falcons lost 37-17 to the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023.
Week 18: Saints 48, Falcons 17
The Falcons scored first after their defense limited the Saints to a short opening drive of four plays and 10 yards. Quarterback Desmond Ridder then orchestrated a seven-play, 79-yard drive culminating in a 15-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jonnu Smith. Wide receiver Scotty Miller contributed a 56-yard catch that covered most of the distance.
However, the lead was short-lived as the Saints responded with an 18-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Derek Carr to wide receiver A.T. Perry, tying the game with approximately five minutes left in the quarter.
Final Word
No matter how many wins or losses, one thing we know for sure is that the Falcons will make things interesting.
