Embattled Falcons coach Arthur Smith has three games to show team owner he shoul

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FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP)  Arthur Smith's is uncertain with two straight lo ses severely damaging the team's playoff  Brian Roberts Jersey hopes and costing quarterback Desmond Ridder his starting job for the second time this season.Falcons owner Arthur Blank said hell wait until after the regular season to make a decision on Smiths status for 2024.The Falcons (6-8) likely must win their final three regular-season games, including Sunday's final home game against Indianapolis, to preserve their playoff hopes. Atlanta would still need help from other teams to finish on top of the woeful NFC South and make the playoffs for the first time since 2017.Smith, who was 7-10 in each of his first two seasons, is 20-28 overall into his third season. There was of the coach following last week's ugly to a Carolina Panthers team that had the league's worst record. The Falcons have fallen to third place in the division, one game behind Tampa Bay and New Orleans.ADVERTISEMENT  Blank acknowledged in an interview with Georgia Public Television on Tuesday the 6-8 record has not been the kind of season we expected, but said he wasn't ready to make a decision on Smith.We're committed Paul O'Neill Jersey  to coach Smith, Blank said. We're going to play the last three games. We're in them to win them and we'll let the season play out and go from there. ... At the end of the year we'll a se s where we are.Blank said he never placed a mandate on Smith to make the playoffs this season.The requirement was we have a more competitive team this year, a winning team this year, Blank said. It's been mixed, quite honestly.Smith said Wednesday he accepts the criticism and pre sure as part of the job.We all know what we signed up for, Smith said. That Randy Johnson Jersey s why I love this game. You want to be in pro football and you want to be judged. If you dont want to do that and you just want to be comfortable, thats not what this is."Smith said he has been so fortunate to have consistent support from Blank.One thing we have here in Atlanta is unbelievable culture and taking this job I could not have a better mentor and bo s, Smith said of Blank. Ive watched from afar and all you try to build with any leadership team is consistency and thats all weve ever had here. Hes been an unbelievable mentor and when youre in pro football your job is to put yourself out there. Your job is to win."Nobody is going to be more frustrated than myself or put more pre sure, which  DJ LeMahieu Jersey I want. Thats what you embrace. I love the challenge.Smith this week following the second-year quarterback's crucial interception in the red zone late in the lo s to the Panthers. Taylor Heinicke will start against the Colts, and his primary goal will be to protect the ball.We have yet to put four quarters together where its all clean, Heinicke said Wednesday.Ridder has thrown 10 touchdown pa ses with 10 interceptions and 11  Johnny Damon Jersey fumbles.Ridder was removed from on Nov. 1. Following two lo ses with Heinicke, Smith reinstated Ridder as the starter.Smith said Wednesday he originally planned for Ridder to finish out the season but was forced to seek more stability at the position with Heinicke.Youve got to be willing to adapt, Smith said. I dont want to keep switching week to week.  We feel right now with where were at Taylor gives us our best chance and we have to adapt. So thats where were going to go.___AP NFL: