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TEXANS OFFENSE: OVERALL (10), RUSH (26), PASS (4), SCORING (10). TEXANS DEFENSE: OVERALL (13), RUSH (19), PASS (9), SCORING (11). FALCONS OFFENSE: OVERALL (24), RUSH (11), PASS (32), SCORING (T25).
Arthur Smith was forced to accept the ugly truth of “some tough lessons learned” from his Atlanta Falcons' lopsided loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Desmond Ridder was sacked seven times, the Falcons (2-1) moved past the Detroit 20 only once and Atlanta's running game was shut down. Too often, it wasn't just that the Falcons' offense was beaten.
EXPECTATIONS: Team owner Arthur Blank says this is year three of a three-year plan with coach Arthur Smith and added he expects an improvement from the seven-win finishes in each of Smith's first two years. There is pressure on second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder, in his first full season as the starter, to end the team's streak of five straight losing seasons.
It wasn't easy for A.J. Terrell to watch his Atlanta Falcons teammates enjoy their big plays on defense in last week's 19-3 preseason win over the Miami Dolphins when he and the other regulars couldn't join in the fun. Falcons starters were held out of the preseason opener but will have their first opportunity in Friday night's second preseason game against Cincinnati. Coach Arthur Smith says starters including quarterback Desmond Ridder are expected to play.
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Jeff Okudah is expected to return early this season after suffering a right ankle injury in Friday's practice. Falcons coach Arthur Smith said Saturday the team received “very positive news” on Okudah. “We think he has a great chance to be back in the early part of the season,” Smith said.