FLOWERY BRANCH — After the win over the 49ers, Falcons coach Arthur Smith had a beer with the offensive linemen at the restaurant near the team’s locker room in the bowels of Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

“It was great,” Smith said Monday.

The idea was hatched at the walk-through Saturday at the stadium.

The linemen wanted to know if they could go in the restaurant and have beers.

“So, I ran it up the flagpole, and they said ‘yes, sure,’” Smith said. “Then, the game ended. We won and ran for 100 yards, so we went in there and had a beer.”

The Falcons had to win and get more than 100 yards rushing for the beer party. The Falcons rushed 40 times for 168 yards and won 28-14 over the heavily favored 49ers.

“I got it cleared,” Smith said. “Credit to them, it was led by them. I was very organic. I thought it was fun. I don’t know if I’m going to get fined or what, I really don’t care.”

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The Bow Tie Chronicles

Atlanta Falcons 2022 schedule

Sept. 11: Saints 27, Falcons 26

Sept. 18: Rams 31, Falcons 27

Sept. 25 Falcons 27, Seahawks 23

Oct. 2 Falcons 23, Browns 20

Oct. 9 Buccaneers 21, Falcons 15

Oct. 16 Falcons 28, 49ers 14

Oct. 23 at Cincinnati, 1 p.m.

Oct. 30 vs. Carolina, 1 p.m.

Nov. 6 vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 1 p.m.

Nov. 10 at Carolina, 8:15 p.m.

Nov. 20 vs. Chicago, 1 p.m.

Nov. 27 at Washington, 1 p.m.

Dec. 4 vs. Pittsburgh, 1 p.m.

BYE WEEK

Dec. 18 at New Orleans, TBD

Dec. 24 at Baltimore, 1 p.m.

Jan. 1 vs. Arizona, 1 p.m.

Jan. 8 vs. Tampa Bay, TBD

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