It’s been just three weeks since the Atlanta Falcons relinquished the lead of the NFC South with a last-minute home loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but it might as well be a lifetime.

In the days that followed Atlanta’s loss, coach Arthur Smith came under intense scrutiny. Soon thereafter, ESPN reported Smith’s job was safe – barring a “late-season collapse.”

The Falcons lost their next game, 9-7, to the Carolina Panthers, who entered with a 1-12 record and have lost each of their last two contests, including a 26-0 drubbing by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. It’s worth noting Jacksonville hadn’t won since November.

It was then reported Smith needed “strong performances” with his team sitting at 6-8 … and delivered exactly that the next week.

Atlanta bounced back from its embarrassing road defeat with its largest margin of victory under Smith, taking a 29-10 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in the home finale.

Talk subsided, if only just, as Smith’s odds of returning appeared to increase – and NFL Network confirmed as such this past Saturday night, stating Smith’s departure would be a “surprise” … but with the catch of Atlanta delivering “solid performances” in its last two games.

Hours later, Smith’s Falcons took their biggest loss of the season, a 37-17 loss on the road against the Chicago Bears (7-9), trailing by double figures for the final 34 minutes of Sunday’s game.

So, now what?

Is Smith coaching for his job next Sunday against the New Orleans Saints?

Falcons owner Arthur Blank was requested for comment following the loss to Chicago but chose not to speak with reporters.