Falcons Coach Arthur Smith Shaves Mustache After Sleepless Night

November 6, 2023

Rick Nyman,

ATLANTA (AP) — Arthur Smith has shaved his mustache and is keeping Taylor Heinicke as the Atlanta Falcons’ starting quarterback.

Smith is having second thoughts about one of those decisions.

Smith promised change after Sunday’s 31-28 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The coach’s facial hair was the victim in the middle of a sleepless night after the Falcons’ third loss in four games.

“I kind of regret it already,” Smith said Monday, adding he made the impromptu decision to shave at about 3:45 a.m.

A 4-5 record led to the mustache getting axed. Atlanta led the NFC South before back-to-back losses to Tennessee and Minnesota by a combined eight points.

The Falcons were at .500 when Desmond Ridder was replaced by Heinicke. Ridder lost his starting job after committing 10 turnovers in his last five games.

Smith said Monday he is sticking with Heinicke for this week’s game at Arizona after the veteran produced mixed results in his first start for Atlanta. Heinicke completed 21 of 38 passes for 268 yards with one touchdown and one interception against the Vikings.

Following the game, Smith said “we have to change something to get over the hump.” He acknowledged the loss to Minnesota, which turned to quarterback Joshua Dobbs in the second quarter after rookie starter Jaren Hall suffered a concussion, was “certainly a missed opportunity.”

Dobbs was acquired by Minnesota from Arizona on Tuesday and passed for two touchdowns while running for 66 yards and another score.

The loss could prove to be devastating to the Falcons’ hopes of ending their streak of five consecutive losing seasons and reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

“Give them credit, but yes, you can’t sugarcoat it or make excuses,” Smith said. “We had our chances, and we didn’t get it done.”

WHAT’S WORKING

Atlanta’s 55.6% third-down conversion rate was its highest of the season. The Falcons got 370 total yards on a day they went 10 for 18 on third downs. Tight end Jonnu Smith’s 60-yard touchdown catch was the highlight for the offense and helped him set a personal high with 100 yards on five catches. KhaDarel Hodge helped fill in for the injured Drake London by adding three catches for 60 yards. Kyle Pitts had four catches for 56 yards on five targets.

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