Falcons HC Arthur Smith Opens up on Loss to Chargers

If anyone knows how to blow a game, it’s the Atlanta Falcons.

Atlanta and the Los Angeles Chargers were tied 17-17 in the final seconds of the Week 9 game when running back Austin Ekeler fumbled the ball and defensive tackle Ta’Quon Graham recovered it.

And then dropped it, which ultimately led to helping LA’s kicker Cameron Dicker set up for a game-winning field goal.

The Falcons lost 20-17, marking their fifth loss of the season through nine weeks.

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Arthur Smith on Loss: ‘I Thought We Played Pretty Well’

Despite the end result, there were some positives to come from the loss.

The Falcons had their best start of the year in the first quarter, scoring in the first few minutes and keeping LA from scoring any.

“The first quarter came out the way we wanted and then they got us off the field,” Smith said after the game. “That’s a good quarterback and NFL team.”

Cordarelle Patterson was one of the highlights, if not the biggest, to come from the loss.

Fresh off injured reserve, Patterson scored the first touchdown of the game and then another in the third quarter––the only two scores for Atlanta.

He finished the day with 13 carries for 44 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also added an extra 19 yards in the air on 1 catch.

“I thought we played pretty well…

“They executed better than we did down the stretch,” Smith said.

Rookie running back Tyler Allgeier was another bright light and led the backfield with 99 rushing yards on 10 carries. In total, the Falcons ran for a total of 201 yards against LA.

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Smith Backs Up Graham’s Dropped Ball

As for Graham’s dropped fumble recovery, Smith has nothing but high praise for him.

“I back TQ 100,000 percent. He wanted to make a play,” Smith said. “It’s a funny-shaped ball, but I love TQ. He should never hang his head down. He scooped the ball up and it slipped out. He’s a defensive lineman and the ball takes funny bounces sometimes.”

Graham owned up to his mistake after the game and reflected on what he could have done better and what he plans to do moving forward.

“Just got to hold on to the ball,” Graham said. “My teammates tell me it’s okay, but I’m probably the hardest on myself. Should’ve held on to the ball. Probably should’ve fell on it, probably should’ve gotten out of bounds, all of the above, but [I’ve] just got to move on from here.”

“…Hold the ball with two hands. Maybe switch out the leather palms [gloves] to the sticky’s maybe,” he said. “Just got to move on from this point and become a better football player.”

The Falcons have a short week with their next game coming up on Thursday when they take on the Carolina Panthers.

That is where Smith’s head is now.

“We have to flip the page pretty quick. As soon as I leave here,” Smith said.

The Falcons are no longer the lone survivor in first place in the NFC South. Instead, they’re back to sharing first place with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

And in order to keep their playoff hopes alive, a win over Carolina is a must.

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