BALTIMORE -- Arthur Smith stood at the lectern following yet another close loss in a season defined by them and appeared perturbed. Annoyed at officiating. Annoyed he was once again having to say the same things over and over again.
Talking about “getting over the hump.” About progression being made even though victories haven’t followed in a November and December where the Falcons have won just once after starting the season 4-4.
About needing to win, even though the playoffs in an awful NFC South are no longer a possibility. While all of this might seem like coachspeak and frustration -- the same frustration expressed by his players, too -- there’s also reality in it.