Steelers vs. Falcons: Five Questions with the Enemy

Nov 30, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith cheers on his team after a field goal in the second quarter of their game against the Arizona Cardinals at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

What’s the confidence level for Falcons coach Mike Smith from fans? Should he be on the hot seat if the Falcons end up missing the playoffs?

Forget missing the playoffs – Mike Smith will be fired if the Falcons don’t reach the NFC Championship game. I have a great level of fondness for Smith, as he turned around a franchise during its darkest point in an already bleak history, but he and his staff have plateaued. Last year was easy to write off due to injuries but, even though the team is down 3 of its past 6 first rounders, there is no excuse for a failure to address the same issues we’ve faced his entire tenure. Falcons fans, for the most part, have moved on from the regime and are already writing a wish list for the offseason – we can only hope the front office feels the same way. The biggest concern amongst Falcons fans at the moment is that an unlikely playoff berth saves jobs, which I doubt will happen.