The Falcons and Cardinals square off on Sunday and both teams will be looking for their second wins of the season. Atlanta (1-4) enters the game on a three-game losing streak while Arizona (1-3-1) is coming off its first win.
Last meeting
- Dec. 16, 2018: Falcons won, 40-14
How they stack up
- Falcons offense: 10th overall (No. 28 rush, No. 3 pass)
- Cardinals defense: 29th overall (No. 19 rush, No. 24 pass)
- Falcons defense: 23rd overall (No. 27 rush, No. 20 pass)
- Cardinals offense: 16th overall (No. 11 rush, No. 17 pass)
I asked AtlantaFalcons.com writers Kelsey Conway and Will McFadden to weigh in and what the Falcons will need to do in order to earn their second win of the season. I'll offer my key to victory at the end.
Kelsey Conway: The Falcons will beat the Cardinals if they don't turn the ball over on offense. I think the Falcons' offense will carry the team to a win over the Cardinals, but it starts with not giving Kyler Murray and Co. extra opportunities to make plays. The Cardinals haven't forced an interception yet this season and the Falcons shouldn't let themselves be the first team to let this happen. If the Falcons play turnover-free football and operate like they did in Houston offensively, I don't think the Cardinals have enough star power on offense to keep up.
Will McFadden: The offense takes charge. With the Falcons' backs against the wall after a 1-4 start, the team needs to find an identity. Everyone, myself included, has spent this week talking about the Cardinals' offense and how dynamic Kyler Murray is, but it's Atlanta's offense that could be the best unit in this game. We've seen this offense lead the Falcons to a victory plenty of times before, and Sunday would be a great time to do so again.
Tabeek's Take: I'm confident that the Falcons offense will score points in this one. That's why I think the key will be the Falcons' defense. They must contain, disrupt and pressure Kyler Murray all game long. You've heard the saying that the best pass coverage is a strong pass rush, and it's true. If the Falcons can generate pressure, that will help the back end of the defense immensely. The Cardinals will definitely take their shots in the passing game and the Falcons must do a better job of swarming to the football and tackling. Should Murray get out of the pocket and scramble (and he will), the Falcons must remain disciplined in coverage and, again, bring the ball carrier down at the point of contact.
What the Cardinals are saying about the Falcons
- You've Got Mail: Falcons Week
- Cardinals Brace For Julio Jones
- In-depth look at Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons running backs were hard at work with the rest of the team in the second practice of the week in Arizona. Take a look at their workout and more in this gallery, presented by Quikrete.
Atlanta Falcons running back Ito Smith #25 works during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman #24 in action during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons running back Ito Smith #25 works during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman #24 in action during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons running back Ito Smith #25 looks on during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons running back Kenjon Barner #38 in action during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons running back Ito Smith #25 makes a catch during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Deadrin Senat #94 looks on during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley #18 looks on during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage #83 makes a catch during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 looks on during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones #11 works during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Christian Blake #13 runs with the ball during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Christian Blake #13 makes a catch during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage #83 makes a catch during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage #83 runs the ball during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage #83 makes a catch during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Jamal Carter #35 in action during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Mohamed Sanu #12 runs with the ball during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Jamal Carter #35, outside linebacker De'Vondre Campbell #59 and linebacker Deion Jones #45 run between drills during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker De'Vondre Campbell #59 looks on during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 in action during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Adrian Clayborn #99 in action during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Adrian Clayborn #99 looks on during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
The offense runs bags during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley #18 looks on during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons punter Sam Irwin-Hill #9 in action during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage #83 looks on during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Ty Sambrailo #74 hydrates during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Jake Matthews #70 looks on during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley #18 looks on during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons offensive guard James Carpenter #77 looks on during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones #45 looks on outside linebacker De'Vondre Campbell #59 during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Lukayus McNeil #66 looks on during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley #18 works with wide receiver Julio Jones #11 during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Ty Sambrailo #74 leans on his helmet during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Kaleb McGary #76 works with offensive tackle Jake Matthews #70 during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Ty Sambrailo #74 warms up during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
The offensive line works with Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons safety Chris Cooper #34 runs the ladder during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Lukayus McNeil #66 looks on during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Jamal Carter #35 runs the ladder during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons players run the ladder during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons long snapper Josh Harris #47 and punter Sam Irwin-Hill #9 look on during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Ty Sambrailo #74 runs the ladder during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Jamal Carter #35 runs the ladder during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons running back Qadree Ollison #30 looks on during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Jamal Carter #35 gestures during practice. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Atlanta Falcons).
