Coach Smith Says Falcons’ Failures Are His Fault

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) – Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith says he’s fully responsible for the struggles of his sinking football team.

The Falcons aren’t winning battles on the line of scrimmage. They aren’t tackling well. They’re tied for next to last in turnover margin.

Atlanta looks nothing like the team that earned the NFC’s top playoff seed last year.

Quarterback Matt Ryan has thrown nine interceptions in the last four games and seems to get hit on every passing attempt behind a porous offensive line.

Atlanta has allowed 900 total yards in the last two weeks, and opponents this season have averaged almost 29 points per game.

Even worse, the Falcons (2-8) have just two days to practice before New Orleans (8-2) visits the Georgia Dome on Thursday night.