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Pre-Game Thread - Atlanta Falcons at Arizona Cardinals (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Jeff Pasquino
- Start date
Tibetan Sherpa
Footballguy
Let's go Dirty Birds! Turner/Norwood need to go crazy and our secondary has to play lights out, but I can see Atlanta winning this.
PatrickT
Footballguy
Eagerly awaiting a date/time for this game. Praying for Sunday, as I'll be on a plane for 4 hours on Saturday.
Interesting matchup. Cards figure to score 24 minimum. We couldn't stop holt/avery, I don't know how the hell we're gonna slow down Fitz/Boldin. Good news for us is that we can hopefully run the ball down their throats and keep that O off the field, and we don't have to be overly concerned with the run game. We better play a damn sight better than we have the last three weeks.
Ryan has really slipped off his game the last few weeks, hope it's not enough to lose the ROY to Flacco.
Interesting matchup. Cards figure to score 24 minimum. We couldn't stop holt/avery, I don't know how the hell we're gonna slow down Fitz/Boldin. Good news for us is that we can hopefully run the ball down their throats and keep that O off the field, and we don't have to be overly concerned with the run game. We better play a damn sight better than we have the last three weeks.
Ryan has really slipped off his game the last few weeks, hope it's not enough to lose the ROY to Flacco.
The Man with the Plan
Footballguy
Good offenses. Bad defenses. Playoff shootout in the making. Hopefully Boldin will be healthy for this matchup.
Jeff Pasquino
Footballguy
Early line:
ATL -2.5
O/U 50-50.5
ATL -2.5
O/U 50-50.5
3 hour lunch
Footballguy
Intriguing matchup. Everyone has the MN and NE ganes on their mind when it comes to Arizona, but they are still dangerous. I thought the spread would be more of a pick 'em, so I guess I'll go with the Cards. Should be lots of points for both teams.
Inspiration
Footballguy
This Cardinals got extremely lucky here drawing the Falcons for this matchup, as they are likely the only team they have a legitimate shot of beating. The biggest difference I see is that the Falcons at least have a chance at making some noise if they can get past this game; if the Cardinals manage to pull it out, they will get blown out on the road whether they go to Carolina or New York.
I actually think this will be the best game of the weekend. I like Atlanta, but this has a 38-35 whoever gets the ball last wins kind of look to it.
2 things: Don't underestimate Warner's playoff experience and don't underestimate the Cards being a much better team at home. Again, I like Atlanta, but this is the toughest game to pick in my opinion.
2 things: Don't underestimate Warner's playoff experience and don't underestimate the Cards being a much better team at home. Again, I like Atlanta, but this is the toughest game to pick in my opinion.
David Yudkin
Footballguy
Cardinals are the only team to ever allow 35 points five times in a season and still make the playoffs.
Chase Stuart
Footballguy
Since moving to Arizona, the Cardinals have had a habit of fading late in the years. Nothing seems to be disproving that theory this year. Atlanta's got the better offense and the better defense. The Cardinals can't exploit the Falcons Achilles heel, and Matt Ryan should throw for 300/3 against this defense.
Atlanta 38, Arizona 24.
Atlanta 38, Arizona 24.
Mark Wimer
Moderator
Unfortunately, Matt Ryan has faded during Dec. too - his performance in this game is going to be the difference (either way) in my opinion. Turner and Norwood will score multiple TDs for Atlanta, and Warner/Fitzgerald/Boldin/Breaston will also put up several TDs - if Matt Ryan can connect for more TDs than interceptions, then I think the Falcons walk away with a 3+ point win. If Ryan goes 11/25-ish for 145-ish yards, 1 TD and 2 or more interceptions, then I think the Cardinals' offense scores enough points off of the turnovers to over-balance the scales.Secondarily, Edgerrin James' level of desire to perform well in a playoff game will be a possible plus for the Cardinals (assuming he is "up" for this game and gets handed the ball). I don't see James as a deciding factor for the Cardinals (their passing attack is too good and the Atlanta secondary too suspect) but he is a wild card here that could help move the sticks between the 20's and get the Cards in good position for field goals at the end of the first and second half. My .02.In the end, I think Ryan throws a lot of safe passes and maybe 1 TD with 0 picks due to a basic passing attack, and the Falcons win 31-27.
Chase Stuart
Footballguy
I don't disagree that Ryan's faded, but I think he's found the perfect cure -- the Arizona D.The NFC West QBs are awful. Outside of them, the other 10 teams have thrown 28 passing touchdowns and 2 interceptions against the Cardinals this year. That's 28 touchdowns against 2 interceptions. TWENTY EIGHT TOUCHDOWNS AGAINST TWO INTERCEPTIONS.
That's the most pathetic stat I've ever seen for a playoff team. Wow.
rzrback77
Footballguy
I looked a little at this and these numbers tell quite a story. In the five games that Arizona played on the East Coast (actually four trips as they stayed for two games on one trip), the Cardinals played @ Redskins, @ Jets, @ Panthers, @ Eagles, and @ Patriots. In those five games the Cards offense had 11 TD passes and threw 9 ints. On the other hand, their defense gave up 17 TD passes and had ony one int. That includes the 6 TD game by Favre and 4 TD passes by McNabb.However at home, their offense produced 17 TD passes against only 5 ints whereas the opposing teams threw 16 TD passes and 6 ints. Their home record was 6-2 while they lost all five of those East Coast games.
If this game was at Atlanta, i don't think the Cards have a shot, but at home, I expect them to win.
Chase Stuart
Footballguy
Arizona is good at home in the first half of the year. Their last two home games against non-NFCW QBs saw Tarvaris Jackson and Eli Manning throw 7 TDs and 0 INTs (both Cardinals losses). This is a bad pass defense, and I don't see how the Falcons don't shred them. This should be a shoot out.
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simmonjm
Footballguy
I know its crazy but I think the Cardinals win because Ryan wont be able to keep up with Warner. Traveling to Carolina the following week assuming no snow or significant winds, I think the Cards could win. Then imagine that either Philly or Minnesota wins instead of the Giants and Cards are at home or in a dome and I like their chances. As crazy as it sounds. I will take your answers off air thanks for taking my call.
Chase Stuart
Footballguy
Some team rankings:
PassO RushO PtsO TDO PassD RushD PtsD TDD O Avg D Avg Tm AvgAtlanta Falcons 4 8 10 11 21 28 11 20 8.25 20.00 14.13Arizona Cardinals 5 29 4 3 25 12 28 31 10.25 24.00 17.13Atlanta appears to be the better team, but more importantly, they match up very well. Atlanta's big weakness is their rush defense, which is Arizona's biggest weakness. What happens when a team with no running game goes up against a sieve? :headsplode:Conversely, the Cardinals achilles heel is their pass D; Atlanta's strength is passing offense. I think Atlanta's passing game vs. Arizona's pass D is a bigger mismatch than Arizona's passing offense vs. Atlanta's passing defense. Obviously Atlanta's rushing offense against Arizona's rush defense is a bigger favors Atlanta more than Arizona's run O vs. Atlanta's run D.
Arizona has home field going for them, but that's about it. Only hope is some turnovers or for Warner to get very hot. I think Atlanta wants to play the ball control offense card, but it will be interesting to see how they control themselves facing a terrible pass defense. I think the Falcons beat the Cards at their own game.
PassO RushO PtsO TDO PassD RushD PtsD TDD O Avg D Avg Tm AvgAtlanta Falcons 4 8 10 11 21 28 11 20 8.25 20.00 14.13Arizona Cardinals 5 29 4 3 25 12 28 31 10.25 24.00 17.13Atlanta appears to be the better team, but more importantly, they match up very well. Atlanta's big weakness is their rush defense, which is Arizona's biggest weakness. What happens when a team with no running game goes up against a sieve? :headsplode:Conversely, the Cardinals achilles heel is their pass D; Atlanta's strength is passing offense. I think Atlanta's passing game vs. Arizona's pass D is a bigger mismatch than Arizona's passing offense vs. Atlanta's passing defense. Obviously Atlanta's rushing offense against Arizona's rush defense is a bigger favors Atlanta more than Arizona's run O vs. Atlanta's run D.
Arizona has home field going for them, but that's about it. Only hope is some turnovers or for Warner to get very hot. I think Atlanta wants to play the ball control offense card, but it will be interesting to see how they control themselves facing a terrible pass defense. I think the Falcons beat the Cards at their own game.
Falcons won a shootout against the Panthers last month. I don't think it's that they can't, it's just the focus on the run game means they tend to avoid it.
PatrickT
Footballguy
Panthers aren't as explosive as Arizona, IMO. But, Ari isn't as consistent because of a heavy reliance on the pass game. They get just a little bit out of rhythm, and they can lay a huge egg but, by the same token, if everything's clicking, really tough to stop.
The Man with the Plan
Footballguy
That game wasn't really a shootout with back and forth scoring. The Falcons went up by more than 2 touchdowns, let the Panthers back into the game and eventually ran them out of the building. Atlanta was always in control of that game. If this team tries to trade touchdowns with the Arizona Cardinals more than likely they will lose.
Ghost Rider
Footballguy
Everyone is picking the Falcons in this game, so that means the Cardinals will probably win.
And as crappy as the Cardinals have looked at times over the last month, keep in mind that, in a game that could have gotten them a first round bye (had Carolina lost), the Falcons struggled mightily to beat the pathetic Rams last Sunday...at home. Just something to think about.
And as crappy as the Cardinals have looked at times over the last month, keep in mind that, in a game that could have gotten them a first round bye (had Carolina lost), the Falcons struggled mightily to beat the pathetic Rams last Sunday...at home. Just something to think about.
PatrickT
Footballguy
Been thinking about it a lot, unfortunately. Hope Ryan returns to form for Arizona. We also had Milloy out for that game, and he's bigger in the run game than most people, myself included, realized.
Chase Stuart
Footballguy
With that pass defense, the Cardinals better be afraid to trade touchdowns with anyone.
Captain Hook
Footballguy
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OC Zed
Footballguy
Seriously, what's the issue? They have sold out every regular season home game since they moved into the new stadium and suddenly they cannot fill it for the playoffs?That's some serious Weak Sauce.
cstu
Footballguy
Playoff games, schlayoff games. It's all about the regular season in AZ, baby!
flapgreen
Footballguy
Wow. Edge's display of selfishness is as bad as I've witnessed in a long time. Way to be a team player, Edge.
"I can't go through this again," James told ESPN. "I didn't come here to block. I'm not an offensive lineman."
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs2008...tory?id=3805610
"I can't go through this again," James told ESPN. "I didn't come here to block. I'm not an offensive lineman."
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs2008...tory?id=3805610
Ok... the Cardinals:
Beat the Dolphins, another playoff team.
Lost to Carolina, by a measily 4 points.
Lost to the Giants, by 8 after a last second field goal... and the dropping of the easiest onside kick ever.
Blown out by Philly. >_<
Blown out by Minnesota.
When the team had something to play for, they were kicking ###. I look for the Cardinals to return to previous form.
EDIT: Oh and another Edge quote, ""I'm here to try to make plays and try to get this team moving forward."
Beat the Dolphins, another playoff team.
Lost to Carolina, by a measily 4 points.
Lost to the Giants, by 8 after a last second field goal... and the dropping of the easiest onside kick ever.
Blown out by Philly. >_<
Blown out by Minnesota.
When the team had something to play for, they were kicking ###. I look for the Cardinals to return to previous form.
EDIT: Oh and another Edge quote, ""I'm here to try to make plays and try to get this team moving forward."
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Gopher State
Footballguy
High scoring game with Elam kicking the game winning FG for Falcons.
Jeff Pasquino
Footballguy
Game thread is up....... unpinning this.
FFCardsFan
Footballguy
hahah good call on the falcons fellas. "you cant just turn it on for the playoffs" ..."31-14 falcons"..."with that pass defense the cards should be afraid to trade touchdowns with anyone"..."the cards are back to being the cards".... haha i love it.
