The Atlanta Falcons dropped to 3-3 following Sunday’s 24-16 loss to the Washington Commanders. It was the team’s first loss at Mercedes-Benz Stadium this season.
Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder threw three interceptions and head coach Arthur Smith made some questionable decisions throughout the game, including two failed two-point conversion attempts.
Here are 10 takeaways from Atlanta’s Week 6 loss to Washington.
1
Two-point conversion causes chaos
The Falcons were on a roll in the fourth quarter after they scored a touchdown to pull within a single possession. Head coach Arthur Smith was feeling it and opted for the two-point conversion. Even with two chances, Atlanta failed to convert and the momentum was lost. The team did get another chance to tie but Ridder threw his third interception and that was all she wrote.
2
Kyle Pitts encore
Kyle Pitts proved that last week was no fluke as the tight end caught his first touchdown of the season on Atlanta’s opening drive. Pitts finished the game with four catches for 43 yards and his third career touchdown. The third-year tight end appears to be developing chemistry with Ridder as the season goes on. Pitts was a genuine bright spot after a rough start in 2023.
3
Defense bends, breaks
Thus far, the Falcons have been one of the best red-zone defenses in the league, but they couldn’t slow Sam Howell on Sunday. Atlanta allowed the Commanders QB to throw for three touchdowns. However, Washington’s offense also benefitted from some great field position. The Falcons gave up a 61-yard punt return and turned the ball over three times, which didn’t exactly set the defense up for success. Still, the team finished with a season-high five sacks.
4
Drake London has career day
London put together another quality game in Week 6 and is becoming Ridder’s favorite target. The second-year wideout finished the game with nine catches for a career-high 125 receiving yards in Sunday’s loss to the Commanders. London was targeted 12 times by Ridder in Week 6 and is trending in the right direction.
5
Sam Howell vs. Desmond Ridder
The two second-year quarterbacks faced off in Week 6 and both played pretty well early on. Ridder threw a touchdown to Kyle Pitts on the first drive of the game and was sharp until a third-quarter interception. Howell got off to a hot start and kept it going with three touchdown passes in the first three quarters. Turnovers would ultimately be the difference in Sunday’s game. Ridder threw three interceptions and Howell finished with zero.
6
Brian Robinson vs. Bijan Robinson
Everyone was focused on Bijan Robinson but it was Brian Robinson that had the bigger impact early in the game. The Commanders running back recorded a 26-yard touchdown reception on a pass from Sam Howell. Neither running back had much success on the ground on Sunday. Bijan Robinson rushed for 37 yards on 13 carries, while Brian Robinson rushed for 31 yards on 10 carries.
7
Smith seen losing his cool with Ridder
The Falcons were in position to tie the game (with a two-point conversion) in the fourth quarter when Ridder threw a soul-crushing interception right to the Commanders defense. Arthur Smith was spotted along the sideline yelling at Ridder to throw the ball out of the back of the end zone. Watch below, as shared by ABC’s Zach Klein.
Arthur Smith “just throw it out of the f*&!%ing endzone” pic.twitter.com/hDsWnyWtRg
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) October 15, 2023
8
Injury updates
Atlanta lost the game, but the war is far from over. Sunday’s game was another in which the team exited with a fully healthy roster. Wide receiver Drake London appeared to get banged up in the second half but would return to the game after missing a series. Cordarrelle Patterson played on offense and finished with one catch for six yards.
9
Calais Campbell records 100th career sack
Calais Campbell recorded the 100th sack of his 16-year NFL career in the second quarter of Sunday’s loss. It was one of five Falcons sacks in the game. As frustrating as Week 6 was, Campbell’s accomplishment deserves some respect.
10
What's next for Atlanta?
The Falcons will hit the road for a matchup against a surprisingly good Tampa Bay Buccaneers team in Week 7. Baker Mayfield isn’t quite Tom Brady, but the former No. 1 overall pick has been playing some of the best football of his career. The Bucs dropped to 3-2 after losing to the Detroit Lions in Week 6.
