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The Largest Selection of Wholesale Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Products in Atlanta

When it comes to trying new, exciting cuisine, few foods hit the spot like a deliciously fresh Mediterranean meal. However, we know that it can be very difficult to find authentic Mediterranean grocery wholesalers in Atlanta, GA. Having lived in metro Atlanta for years, we realized that our customers needed an easy way to find quality wholesale Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food in bulk. That is why we created Nazareth Grocery Mediterranean Market - to give everyone a chance to enjoy tasty, healthy food, desserts, and authentic Mediterranean gifts at wholesale prices.

Founded in 2009, Nazareth Grocery has become one of Atlanta's leading international wholesale grocery stores. We are very proud to serve our customers and do everything in our power to give them the largest selection of high-quality wholesale goods available.

If you're looking for the freshest, most delicious Middle Eastern wholesale products and ingredients, you will find them here at the best prices in the state. We encourage you to swing by our store in Marietta to see our selection for yourself. We think that you will be impressed!

The Nazareth Difference

At Nazareth Grocery Mediterranean Market, our mission is simple: bring you and your family the largest selection of wholesale Mediterranean products in Atlanta. When coupled with our helpful, friendly staff and authentic Middle Eastern atmosphere, it's easy to see why we are the top Middle Eastern grocery wholesaler in Atlanta, GA. We're proud to carry just about every kind of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern product that you can think of, from prepared meals and hookahs to fine seasonings and sweets. We're here for our customers and want each one of them to have a unique, one-of-a-kind experience when they shop with us.

Our loyal customers love our selection of the following wholesale foods and gifts:

  • Fresh Breads
  • OlivesOlives
  • HummusHummus
  • CheesesCheeses
  • SaucesSauces
  • Savory-FoodsSavory Foods
  • DessertsDesserts
  • DrinksDrinks
  • HookahsHookahs
  • TobaccoTobacco
  • SaucesGifts
  • Much More!Much More!

Our Service Areas

Most Popular Wholesale Mediterranean Foods

There is so much more to Mediterranean food than pizza and pasta. The perfect climate combined with delicious foods and amazing wine makes the Mediterranean incredibly irresistible. That's why our customers absolutely love to buy this kind of cuisine in bulk. Every country in this region has its own set of specialties and delicacies, each with its own flavors and styles of preparation.

Mediterranean countries include:

  • France
  • Greece
  • Italy
  • Turkey
  • Syria
  • Egypt
  • Israel
  • Libya
  • Morocco
  • Tunisia
  • Spain
Mediterranean Grocery Atlanta, GA

So, when it comes to the most popular wholesale Mediterranean products in Atlanta,
what are we talking about?

 Mediterranean Supermarkets Atlanta, GA

Feta Cheese

Feta cheese is a classic Mediterranean dairy product that is often enjoyed on its own, in Greek salads, on bread, or mixed with zucchini. Depending on where the feta is sourced and produced, the cheese can be made from cow, sheep, or goat milk, or even a combination of the three. Regardless of the animal it comes from, this delicious cheese is a crowd favorite.

 Mediterranean Grocery Store Atlanta, GA

Baba Ganoush

This Levantine dish is one of the most well-known Mediterranean dishes to eat in the United States. It typically comes in the form of a dip, served with pita or another kind of dipping bread. Commonly served before dinner as an appetizer of sorts, it usually features tahini, eggplant, garlic, spices, and sometimes yogurt. This tasty cuisine works great as a spread on a sandwich, or you can even eat it with a spoon, all on its own.

 Middle Eastern Grocery Atlanta, GA

Baklava

If you have never tried authentic baklava before, get ready to have your mind blown. This dessert is a traditional Mediterranean food that will have your taste buds craving more and more. Once you open a box of baklava from our Mediterranean grocery wholesaler in Atlanta, GA, you won't want to stop eating! Baklava is made with layers of thin filo dough, which is layered together, filled with chopped nuts (think pistachios), and sealed with honey or syrup. Baklava is so good that its origins are debated, leaving many wondering which country invented the dessert. Everyone from the Turks to the Greeks and even Middle Easterners hold unique takes on baklava. Try each one to discover your favorite!

Most Popular Wholesale Middle Eastern Foods

Fresh, healthy, aromatic, rich: it's no wonder that the popularity of Middle Eastern cuisine and products has skyrocketed in the United States. This genre of cuisine features a large variety of foods, from Halvah to Labneh. If there were one common theme throughout all Middle Eastern food, it would be the bright, vibrant herbs and spices that are used. These flavorings help create rich, complex flavors that foodies fawn over. Typically, Middle Eastern food is piled high for all to eat, with enough food for an entire republic to put down.

 Mediterranean Food Stores Atlanta, GA

Tabbouleh

This refreshing, healthy dish is chock-full of greens, herbs, tomatoes, and bulgur (or cracked wheat), creating a memorable, bold flavor. This dish may be eaten on its own or paired with a shawarma sandwich or helping of falafel. It's best to buy your ingredients in bulk to make this dish because it tastes best freshly made with family around to enjoy. Just be sure to bring a toothpick to the tabbouleh party - you're almost certain to have some leafy greens stuck in your teeth after eating.

 Middle Eastern Market Atlanta, GA

Shawarma

We mentioned shawarma above, and for good reason - this dish is enjoyed by men and women around the world, and of course, right here in the U.S. Except for falafel, this might be the most popular Middle Eastern food item in history. Shawarma is kind of like a Greek gyro, with slow-roasted meat stuffed in laffa with veggies and sauce. The blend of spices and the smoky meat mix together to create a tangy, meaty flavor that you will want to keep eating for hours. For western-style shawarma, try using beef or chicken. For a more traditional meal, try using lamb from our Middle Eastern grocery distributor in Atlanta, GA.

 Greek Grocery Store Atlanta, GA

Hummus

Traditionally used as a dip meant for fresh pita, hummus is a combo of chickpeas, garlic, and tahini, blended together until silky, smooth, and creamy. You can find hummus in just about any appetizer section of a Middle Eastern restaurant menu. That's because it's considered a staple of Middle Eastern food that can be enjoyed by itself, as a spread, or with fresh-baked pita bread. Hummus is also very healthy, making it a no-brainer purchase from our grocery store.

Benefits of Eating a Mediterranean Diet

If there's one diet that is most well-known for its health benefits, it has got to be the Mediterranean diet. In 2019, U.S. News & World Report listed the Mediterranean diet as No. 1 on its best over diet list. This incredible diet has been cited to help with weight loss, brain health, heart health, diabetes prevention, and cancer prevention.

Whether you already love Mediterranean food or you're looking to make some positive changes in your life, this "diet" is for you. Eating cuisine like Greek food, Persian food, Turkish food, and Italian food is healthy and tastes great. Even better than that? At Nazareth Wholesale Grocery, we have many staples of the Mediterranean diet for sale in bulk so that you can stock up on your favorites at the best prices around.

So, what exactly is the Mediterranean diet?

It is a way of eating that incorporates traditional Greek, Italian, and other Mediterranean cultures' foods. These foods are often plant-based and make up the foundation of the diet, along with olive oil. Fish, seafood, dairy, and poultry are also included in moderation. Red meat and sweets are only eaten in moderation, not in abundance. Mediterranean food includes many forms of nuts, fruits, vegetables, fish, seeds, and more. Of course, you can find at them all at our wholesale Mediterranean grocery store!

Here are just a few of the many benefits of eating a healthy Mediterranean diet:

Reduced Risk of Heart Disease

Reduced Risk
of Heart Disease

Many studies have been conducted on this diet, many of which report that Mediterranean food is excellent for your heart. Some of the most promising evidence comes from a randomized clinical trial published in 2013. For about five years, researchers followed 7,000 men and women around the country of Spain. These people had type 2 diabetes or were at a high risk for cardiovascular disease. Participants in the study who ate an unrestricted Mediterranean diet with nuts and extra-virgin olive oil were shown to have a 30% lower risk of heart events.

Reduced Risk of Stroke for Women

Reduced Risk
of Stroke for Women

In addition to the heart-healthy benefits of a Mediterranean diet, studies have shown that eating healthy Mediterranean and Middle Eastern foods can reduce the chances of stroke in women. The study was conducted in the U.K., which included women between the ages of 40 and 77. Women who stuck to the Mediterranean diet showed a lower risk of having a stroke - especially women who were at high risk of having one.

Benefits of Eating a Mediterranean Diet

First and foremost, purchase your Mediterranean and Middle Eastern wholesale foods from Nazareth Grocery - we're always updating our inventory! Getting started on this healthy, delicious diet is easy.

Try these tips:

Try these tips

1.

Instead of unhealthy sweets like candy and ice cream, try eating fresh fruit instead. It's refreshing, tasty, and often packed with great vitamins and nutrients.

2.

Try eating fish twice a week, in lieu of red meat. Fish is much healthier and doesn't have the unfortunate side effects of red meat, like inflammation.

3.

Try planning out your meals using beans, whole grains, and veggies. Don't start with meats and sweets.

4.

They're tasty, but try to avoid processed foods completely.

5.

Instead of using butter to flavor your food, use extra virgin olive oil instead. Olive oil contains healthy fats and tastes great too.

6.

Try to get more exercise and get out of the house. The Mediterranean lifestyle is an active one, best enjoyed in the beautiful sunshine when possible.

Why Buy Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Products Wholesale?

Buying wholesale and retail are quite different. When you buy products from a wholesaler, you're essentially buying from the middleman between a retail establishment and the manufacturer. Wholesale purchases are almost always made in bulk. Because of that, buyers pay a discounted price. That's great for normal buyers and great for business owners, who can sell those products to profit. This higher price is called the retail price, and it is what traditional customers pay when they enter a retail store.

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 Middle Eastern Store Atlanta, GA

Latest News in Atlanta, GA

Castellanos runs for 2 TDs to lead resurgent Boston College past Georgia Tech, 38-23

ATLANTA (AP) Thomas Castellanos led an impressive Georgia homecoming for three key Boston College players and then proclaimed the Eagles are back as a team to be respected in the Atlantic Coast Conference.Castellanos ran for 128 yards and two touchdowns, including a 43-yard score on a fourth-down scamper in the fourth quarter, and resurgent Boston College beat ...

ATLANTA (AP) Thomas Castellanos led an impressive Georgia homecoming for three key Boston College players and then proclaimed the Eagles are back as a team to be respected in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Castellanos ran for 128 yards and two touchdowns, including a 43-yard score on a fourth-down scamper in the fourth quarter, and resurgent Boston College beat Georgia Tech 38-23 on Saturday.

Boston College (4-3, 2-2 ACC) has won three straight following a 1-3 start.

“I will say this, we’re turning this thing around,” Castellanos said. “Boston College football is back. We’re no longer the laughing stock of the ACC. We’ve got this thing going.”

Boston College has matched its conference win totals of each of the last two seasons and topped its overall win total of 2022, when it finished 3-9.

The Eagles took control after trailing 23-17 through three quarters. Boston College ran for 153 of its 308 yards in the final quarter while outscoring Georgia Tech (3-4, 2-2) 21-0.

Georgia Tech coach Brent Key said the fourth-quarter turnaround was “a telltale sign of what the issues are.”

The Eagles led 24-23 before Castellanos skipped through the line on a fourth-and-1 run and beat Ahmari Harvey to the goal line, pushing the lead to eight points.

Amari Jackson’s 33-yard interception return for a touchdown gave Boston College its first lead.

Kye Robichaux ran for 165 yards and two touchdowns for the Eagles.

Georgia Tech lost despite quarterback Haynes King running for 150 yards, including a 71-yard scoring run. King threw three interceptions, including two in the fourth quarter, while completing 14 of 32 passes for 204 yards and a touchdown.

“Untimely interceptions, and there’s too many of them,” Key said. “We can’t turn the ball over like that.”

Castellanos, from from Waycross, Georgia, had the upper hand in the matchup of dual-threat quarterbacks. Castellanos began the day tied for the nation's lead among quarterbacks with seven rushing touchdowns, including four in a 27-24 win over Army on Oct. 7. He had a 12-yard scoring run in the second quarter and completed 17 of 29 passes for 255 yards with an interception.

“It felt great, it felt like a home game for me,” Castellanos said.

Jackson, from McDonough, Georgia near Atlanta, stepped in front of Georgia Tech wide receiver Dominick Blaylock and caught the pass from Haynes King against his hip with his left hand before running down the sideline for the score and a 10-7 lead.

“To do it in front of my people, my family, it was amazing,” Jackson said.

Robichaux is from Columbus, Georgia.

“They all kind of ran up to see their families after the game,” said Boston College coach Jeff Hafley. “... That’s so awesome to see.”

Castellanos had four carries on a 13-play, 75-yard touchdown drive late in the first half. Castellanos ran for 11 yards on a fourth-and-1 play from the Georgia Tech 23 before scoring on a 12-yard run. The quarterback took one step back before cutting through the Yellow Jackets' defense on the touchdown run for a 17-10 halftime lead.

THE TAKEAWAY

Boston College: With running back Pat Garwo held out with a leg injury, Robichaux, a Western Kentucky transfer, moved into a lead role with his big game. Robichaux helped put the game away with a 57-yard gain and 3-yard scoring run midway through the fourth quarter. “It was an emphasis we’ve been working on, finish games strong,” he said.

Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets ranked last in the ACC and 128th in the nation with their average of 214.3 yards rushing allowed per game but were not overwhelmed by the Eagles' ground game, which ranked second in the league, until late in the game. It was a disappointing finish for the defense after Andrew Thacker, who had been Georgia Tech’s defensive coordinator since 2019, was demoted on Oct. 1 following an embarrassing 38-27 loss to Bowling Green. Kevin Sherrer took over control of the defense.

INJURIES

Georgia Tech had two defensive backs, strong safety LaMiles Brooks and cornerback Kenan Johnson, leave the game on Boston College's long touchdown drive late in the first half. Johnson was escorted to the locker room with an apparent arm/shoulder injury.

HOME BLUES

It was the fourth straight ACC home loss for Georgia Tech, which fell to 5-12 in its last 16 home conference games. Tech hasn’t had a winning home record since 2018. The Yellow Jackets have alternated wins and losses this season, failing to win or lose consecutive games.

UP NEXT

Boston College: Takes a break from its ACC schedule when it plays host to Connecticut next Saturday.

Georgia Tech: Hosts No. 10 North Carolina on Saturday, needing an upset to extend its two-game winning streak in the series.

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AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll

Copyright 2023 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.

Braves News: Offseason questions, Hall of Fame elections, and more

As expected, news of the Atlanta Braves was running thin on Friday as the National and American League Championship Series continued. News will ramp up again in the coming weeks, though, with the announcement of Hank Aaron, Golden Glove, and MVP award winners. For now, these are the news and notes we’ve got:The Braves have quite a few offseason questions to answer, like Charlie Morton’s future, Eddie Rosario’s role, and more. Find out more in...

As expected, news of the Atlanta Braves was running thin on Friday as the National and American League Championship Series continued. News will ramp up again in the coming weeks, though, with the announcement of Hank Aaron, Golden Glove, and MVP award winners. For now, these are the news and notes we’ve got:

The Braves have quite a few offseason questions to answer, like Charlie Morton’s future, Eddie Rosario’s role, and more. Find out more in the latest episode of Battery Power TV.

Former Braves Cito Gaston and Davey Johnson were each nominated for the 2024 Hall of Fame Class.

MLB News:

The Arizona Diamondbacks evened up the National League Championship Series with a 6-5 comeback win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Houston Astros took a 3-2 lead in the American League Championship Series after defeating the Texas Rangers 5-4.

The Boston Red Sox have continued their managerial search with former San Francisco Giants skipper Gabe Kapler. The Giants are also on a managerial search after recently firing Kapler.

This Day in Braves History: Braves ask NL for permission to move to Atlanta

1964 - After just 11 years in Milwaukee, the Braves’ Board of Directors votes to ask the National League for permission to move to Atlanta. Milwaukee County officials sue to block the move.1996 - Greg Maddux of the Atlanta Braves holds the New York Yankees to six hits in eight innings and Fred McGriff drives in three runs in a 4-0 win in Game 2 of the ...

1964 - After just 11 years in Milwaukee, the Braves’ Board of Directors votes to ask the National League for permission to move to Atlanta. Milwaukee County officials sue to block the move.

1996 - Greg Maddux of the Atlanta Braves holds the New York Yankees to six hits in eight innings and Fred McGriff drives in three runs in a 4-0 win in Game 2 of the World Series.

2001 - Randy Johnson and the Arizona Diamondbacks defeat the Atlanta Braves, 3-2, to win the National League Championship Series and reach the World Series for the first time in their history. Arizona gets to the Series faster than any expansion team in history, doing so in the fourth year of its existence. Erubiel Durazo’s pinch-hit two-run home run is the key blow. Craig Counsell is named the NLCS MVP.

2021 - The Dodgers stay alive by winning Game 5 of the NLCS, 11-2, over the Braves. The Braves take a 2-0 lead in the first on a homer by Freddie Freeman against opener Joe Kelly, but it’s all Dodgers after that as A.J. Pollock and Chris Taylor give them the lead with homers in the second against Max Fried. Pollock will hit another one later on, and Taylor will end up with three long balls as the two combine to drive in 10 of the 11 runs.

1959 - The Players Association approves two All-Star Games in 1960, to be held at Kansas City’s Municipal Stadium and New York’s Yankee Stadium. The players would like to have them played within four days of each other

2007 - The Boston Red Sox defeat Cleveland, 11-2, in Game 7 of the ALCS to reach the World Series where they will face the Colorado Rockies. They had trailed Cleveland 3-1 before mounting a comeback. Josh Beckett is the ALCS MVP after winning Games 1 and 5 of the Series. Before the game began, Paul Byrd of the Indians acknowledged using Human Growth Hormone for four years, creating a media frenzy. Byrd said he stopped buying it once Major League Baseball banned it and that he had a doctor’s permission to use it to treat a pituitary gland condition.

2014 - The Giants take Game 1 of the World Series, 7-1, over the Royals. A two-run homer by Hunter Pence off James Shields fuels a three-run first inning, while Madison Bumgarner gives up only one run on three hits in seven innings. The loss ends Kansas City’s streak of 11 consecutive wins in the postseason, dating back to the 1985 World Series.

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Matt Ryan unsure about Desmond Ridder’s Falcons future

While fans have been arguing aggressively about Desmond Ridder’s future in Atlanta, the Falcons’ longtime franchise quarterback hasn’t seen enough to know where things will land. Matt Ryan may have spent his time as a quarterback guarded at press conferences, but he was surprisingly open ...

While fans have been arguing aggressively about Desmond Ridder’s future in Atlanta, the Falcons’ longtime franchise quarterback hasn’t seen enough to know where things will land. Matt Ryan may have spent his time as a quarterback guarded at press conferences, but he was surprisingly open in an interview with Jeff Schultz of The Athletic. In fact, the most interesting thing may be that Matt Ryan gave some interesting quotes.

Ryan weighed in on the most important question facing the Falcons today: Is Desmond Ridder good? The back and forth has been consistent since Atlanta’s first loss in Week 3. It ultimately boils down into whether Ridder is currently doing enough as a young quarterback. Young quarterbacks usually encounter hurdles making the transition to the pros, but it is tough this early to identify if those are career-defining problems or simply growing pains.

Before getting into Ridder’s future, Ryan echoes a sentiment many fans had last year: things would be clearer if Ridder had more opportunity last year. Arthur Smith hung onto Marcus Mariota weeks, if not months, after it was clear he wasn’t able to play the position at a high level. Perhaps it was in part to give Ridder more time to develop on the bench. However, there is no way to effectively evaluate a rookie quarterback after only four games. That decision, as well as not playing meaningful snaps during preseason, certainly impacted where Ridder is today.

For the positive, Ryan doesn’t see a lot of physical limitations with Ridder.

“[Ridder] can make all the throws. He can throw the ball down the field. He can throw the ball intermediate. Honestly, where he needs to clean things up are the shortest ones. That comes with knowing how to throw with a little bit of touch. Not every throw needs to be a fastball.”

This is actually somewhat common for quarterbacks with strong arms, as the slightly older fans may recall Mike Vick launching the football downfield with the same kind of velocity he deployed on checkdowns. For Ridder, that’s a good spot to look for progress.

Outside of the physical, Ryan discussed more of the mental aspects of playing quarterback. He went into a few specifics where Ridder can improve, such as, at times, Ridder seems sped up. From a higher level, Ryan is really just looking to see improvements from Ridder.

The biggest thing is to not make the same mistakes over and over. Towards the end of that year, I was still making mistakes but they were new mistakes — that’s what you’re looking for.

While it has been mentioned here recently, despite Ryan’s eventual growth into the franchise’s best quarterback, he had a rocky start. There were plenty of bad plays, interceptions, and a particularly rocky sophomore season. Ryan was questioned as the franchise quarterback up to, and even after, his first record-breaking contract extension. Expect the ups and downs from any quarterback, especially the younger ones.

Perhaps most importantly, Ryan thinks we should have an answer on Ridder soon. Ryan is looking to see that improvement — or the new mistakes — in around the next six weeks. While moving to the team’s fourth starting quarterback in four years isn’t a usual path of success in the NFL, Ryan astutely points out that the front office needs to worry about their own jobs. If the front office and coaching staff isn’t comfortable betting their jobs on Ridder’s continued improvement, they’ll need to find a replacement... and fast.

That doesn’t give Ridder much time, and is a bit more of a sign of the times. Trey Lance barely suited up for San Francisco. Zach Wilson, who replaced another top-drafted quarterback in Sam Darnold, was replaced after only two seasons. The era of quarterbacks getting 3-5 years to prove they’ve got what it takes is long gone.

Going through this new quarterback carousel is a fresh reminder why quarterback is the toughest position to find in the NFL. Fans should hope to be off of the carousel by the time December rolls around.

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Falcons are on the clock to fix disconnect between Desmond Ridder, Arthur Smith

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – Desmond Ridder was the picture of NFL growing pains as he talked about turning the page on a disastrous ending last weekend while, well, looking ahead to a chance to make a claim on first place.Ridder, the green Atlanta Falcons quarterback, is coming off the first three-interception game of his young NFL career. That left a lot of explaining for his media session before Wednesday’s practice."You try to obviously learn from the mistakes that were made … but you don&rsq...

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – Desmond Ridder was the picture of NFL growing pains as he talked about turning the page on a disastrous ending last weekend while, well, looking ahead to a chance to make a claim on first place.

Ridder, the green Atlanta Falcons quarterback, is coming off the first three-interception game of his young NFL career. That left a lot of explaining for his media session before Wednesday’s practice.

"You try to obviously learn from the mistakes that were made … but you don’t dwell on those interceptions," said Ridder, whose next chance to make amends comes on Sunday at Tampa Bay (3-2) in a matchup that will determine the lead in the NFC South.

Survive long enough as an NFL quarterback and there will be weeks like this. Heat like this, with hot-take analysts suggesting the quarterback take a seat on the bench. The Falcons (3-3) lost an eight-point game against Washington after two of their final three drives ended with picks by the second-year quarterback. The other possession was rather ugly, too; the ball was turned over on downs that included a sack and two incompletions.

Talking turnovers, Ridder, 24, insisted there wasn’t a connecting thread. Was it accuracy or the play design? Bad decisions or bad routes?

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

"There were a couple things on each, where I could’ve made a better read, we could’ve ran a better route, or miscommunication," he said. "Or all three. So, there’s little parts in that entire game – not only with myself but with the whole offense. It’s got to be all 11 guys working on the same page."

In rolling with a young quarterback, the Falcons knew there would be some turbulence along the way with this learning curve. Ridder is surrounded by a strong cast of supporting weapons including first-round picks Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts and Drake London. And the defense has improved, allowing them to stay in games.

Yet as natural as it is for the quarterback to attract scrutiny, the crunch-time meltdown on Sunday – which included glaring clock management issues on top of the picks – wasn’t all on Ridder. Arthur Smith, the Falcons coach and play-caller, has fingerprints on this, too.

The Falcons’ operational process during the final minutes was a mess. On at least three occasions, the play-clock nearly ran out as Ridder prepared to call for the snaps. Atlanta probably uses as many personnel packages as any team in the league, which can help create matchup advantages but also requires frequent substitutions. And the unit uses an extensive amount of pre-snap motion, which can also chew up time.

In any event, this stuck out as the issues piled up on Sunday. During one sequence, the flow was so sloppy that after Ridder spiked the football to kill the clock, the Falcons still had to use a timeout as the 25-second play-clock was about to expire.

Asked about the operational issues, Smith fired back with arithmetic.

"Two-thousand plays the last two years," Smith said. "Things happen. They are all different. I wouldn’t call that some catastrophic trend. Now they shouldn’t happen. But they’re all different, why they happened. You identify the problem. But you take three plays out of 2,360…"

But still. It’s what happened lately. The mishaps on Sunday came with the game on the line.

"We can play this game all day," defended Smith, in his third season at the helm. "What about Houston? What about New York?"

In Week 5, the Falcons used a 10-play, 56-yard drive to beat the Texans 21-19 with a Younghoe Koo field goal as time expired. In Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers, they executed a 12-play, 66-yard drive for Koo’s game-winning field goal with just under a minute on the clock. The New York game referenced was Smith’s first victory as Falcons coach, in Week 3 in 2021, when his team beat the Giants as then-quarterback Matt Ryan directed a seven-play, 56-yard drive that culminated with a Koo field goal as time expired.

"We’ve won a lot of games handling those situations," Smith added. "Obviously, we didn’t do it last week. We’ve got to get it fixed. This isn’t a trend, a runaway story. Acknowledge what happened. Fix it…Those things happened. That’s not the only reason we lost the game."

Smith pointed to the turnovers, maintaining that NFL teams this season have won just 6% of the games when committing three turnovers.

"Go back to Houston, and those guys executed pretty damn good," Smith said.

Ridder didn’t dispute the mishaps with the operational flow, which typically include the process of getting the play-call from the sideline in addition to the substitutions. He summed it up as a matter of paying better attention to detail, yet he also acknowledged the challenges with communication….especially as the play-clock winds down.

"It makes you speed things up faster," Ridder said. "That’s something we don’t want to do. It goes back to communication. Everybody knowing where they’re supposed to be…just the details with those plays."

Two of Ridder’s teammates, Pitts and London, commended their quarterback for keeping a calm demeanor amid the late-game chaos.

"He’s even-keeled," Pitts said. "When stuff is getting out of control, that’s not when you want to crumble. He’s good at keeping his composure."

Now Ridder – and the rest of his unit – will have to prove capable of growing from the hard lessons.

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