The Bow Tie Chronicles: Falcons eliminated from the NFC playoffs

Falcons fall short on the road: Several missed scoring opportunites spelled doom for the Falcons Saturday in their 17-9 loss to the Ravens in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Falcons head coach Arthur Smith watches from the sideline during Saturday's game against the Ravens in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder runs for yardage during Saturday's game against the Ravens in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder drops back to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder hands off to running back Cordarrelle Patterson during Saturday's game against the Ravens in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews is tackled during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Baltimore Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins (27) carries against Atlanta Falcons safety Richie Grant (27) during the first half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley (2) passes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier is tackled by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith (18) during the first half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier is tackled by Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Travis Jones (98) during the first half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley (2) scrambles during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards (35) carries for a gain during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) tries to pull in a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Baltimore Ravens place kicker Justin Tucker (9) kicks a field goal during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) carries during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, left, greets Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith after an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Baltimore. The Ravens won 17-9. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank walks on the field at the end of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Baltimore. The Ravens won 17-9. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

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Credit: AP Photo/Julio Cortez

Falcons fall short on the road: Several missed scoring opportunites spelled doom for the Falcons Saturday in their 17-9 loss to the Ravens in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

Dec 25, 2022

In the 378th episode of The Bow Tie Chronicles podcast, host D. Orlando Ledbetter discusses the 17-9 loss Saturday to the Baltimore Ravens, in the coldest game ever played in the city. The Falcons started off slowly and could never get back into the game in the face of some questionable officiating. The Falcons dropped to 5-10 and have lost six of their past seven games. Also, the Falcons appear headed for a high pick in the 2023 NFL draft.

About the Author

D. Orlando Ledbetter

Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

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