The Atlanta Falcons faced off against the Jacksonville Jaguars in a highly anticipated matchup on Sunday at London’s Wembley Stadium. Despite the enthusiasm of Falcons fans in attendance, the team had a challenging outing, ultimately falling short to the Jaguars. Head Coach Arthur Smith and Quarterback Desmond Ridder spoke about their team’s performance and the tough lessons learned from the game.
Falcons Start Slow and Struggle with Turnovers
The Falcons faced significant challenges from the start of the game, as Head Coach Arthur Smith acknowledged. He emphasised the importance of avoiding early struggles, stating, “Starts with me jump-starting the offense early. Put ourselves in a hole again.” Smith expressed frustration with the team’s performance, particularly with the turnovers.
Desmond Ridder, the Falcons’ quarterback, took responsibility for the turnovers in the game. Ridder threw two interceptions, one of which resulted in a pick-six, shifting the momentum in favour of the Jaguars. “I had two picks, obviously wish we could have them back, one pick-six,” Ridder admitted. He acknowledged that turnovers played a pivotal role in their loss.
Learning from Tough Lessons
Despite the difficult start, Smith and Ridder stressed the importance of learning from their mistakes and regrouping. Smith noted that these lessons are crucial for a young quarterback like Ridder: “Those are tough, tough lessons for a young quarterback.” He emphasised the need to bounce back from adversity, which the team demonstrated in the second half.
Ridder echoed Smith’s sentiments, mentioning that the team had to regroup during halftime. He emphasised the need to start faster in future games and not let the pressure get to them. “When we don’t get going early and fast, that’s when you feel the press,” Ridder said.
The Falcons Fan Base in London
Despite the challenging game, Falcons fans made their presence felt in London. Smith acknowledged the support, saying, “It’s great to have the Falcons fan base. They come from London, anywhere in the world, to be here to watch us. We thank them.”
Looking Ahead
The Falcons have a challenging road ahead as they work to improve their performance. Smith and Ridder emphasised the need to start games more effectively, reduce turnovers, and regroup as a team. The lessons learned from their London clash with the Jaguars will serve as valuable experience as they strive to get back on the winning track.