The Falcons are Gearing Up For the Cardinals
By David Neff
Sep 14, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Atlanta Falcons strong safety William Moore (25) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY SportIt would be a mistake not to say that the Cardinals know how to play against Matt Ryan. Of the 86 Int’s that Ryan has thrown in his career, Over 10% of them have been thrown in the last two games against the Cardinals. That’s not the recipe of success the Falcons should take on Sunday. Without a doubt, the ballhawking defense of the Cardinals will be looking to increase that number as they look to garner more of lead in the NFC West.
Bet on the Falcons if:
The team can limit the amount of turnover’s and possibly create a few of their own. Playing in the Georgia Dome usually means good things for the Falcons. That hasn’t been in the cards so far this year as the pass rush has missed John Abraham, the coaching decisions tends to cause massive hysteria and confusion in the Southeast, and the offensive line style of blocking can be equivalent to a turnstile. However, the Cardinals suffered a moral defeat against the Seahawks last week and could be looking over the shoulder than focusing on what’s ahead. Similar to how expectations that the Falcons had when playing against Teddy Bridgewater in Week Four. Antone Smith is out and we need a homerun hitter like, Devonta Freeman to showcase his talent. If the Falcons can play a good clock management game while limiting turnovers, then a win is very possible. Also let’s not forget that William Moore is active and ready to cause destruction this week.
Bet on the Cardinals if:
They maintain their dominance of a great strength of schedule. The Cardinals are suspect with Drew Stanton at quarterback. While the backup has performed admirably of a record 3-2 at the helm, he is only completing 53.6 percent of his passes. Including a 5-3 TD/INT ratio. The receivers however are legit with Brown, Fitzgerald, and Floyd all contributing to their punch. However, the talk of the Cardinals is the defense which should be licking their chops facing against the Falcons. Allowing only 85 yards per game on the ground, the Cardinals have found a way for their ballhawking nature to thrive with teams being forced to throw. Meanwhile, Andre Ellington posted 154 yards rushing the ball last time he faced the Falcons. So the gameplan for the Cardinals should be to run the ball with Ellington with expecting a Falcons defense that has 14 sacks on the year to continue to struggle.
Tip the scales to:
The Falcons making a late surge in a late field goal for the win. Of the two losses that the Cardinals have, both of them are with Drew Stanton at quarterback and both of them are on the road. Mike Smith knows he made a mistake last Sunday against the Browns which should have the Falcons at 5-6. Coaching for his job, I think Smith becomes aggressive and fired up to get this team the win.
Falcons: 20 Cardinals: 17