Roddy White's fantasy owners don't want to hear it, but the Falcons need to get more receiving options for Matt Ryan this off-season. Michael Jenkins enjoyed a sneaky good year, but he's average. Harry Douglas seems to have hit the rookie wall. The tight ends and the running backs aren't much of a factor.
Kurt Warner makes a play out of the pocket. That's found money for the Cardinals.
Two weeks ago, the Cardinals were blasted by the Patriots in one of the most embarrasing performances by any team all season. The one positive of that day: Edgerrin James showed something with his five touches. It earned him more work the following week, and he's been a huge factor in Arizona's offense today. I'm not sure Tim Hightower would be picking up these first downs.
The Atlanta pass rush is letting them down. Where's John Abraham? Kurt Warner is making way too many plays after standing in the pocket for three seconds.
14-play touchdown drive from Arizona: so unlike everything they have been about this season. Arizona is now out-rushing Atlanta 75-54.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie has turned into a great, gutsy draft pick by the Arizona front office. His cousin also started out his career ridiculously hot, but has tailed off as offenses learned his tendencies. Huge three-and-out stop by the Atlanta defense, though, after the DRC INT.
Fourth Quarter
This game has changed gears every quarter, but that will be a difficult third quarter implosion for Atlanta to recover from. Matt Ryan has thrown 31 passes for 148 yards and two picks. Michael Turner is averaging under three yards-per-carry. It will be a tall task for them to score twice on their own this quarter. They probably need a big play on defense for a chance to win this game.
Predictable screen to J.J. Arrington, since that's all he ever does. They don't want him to pass protect.
That's two straight three-and-outs by the Arizona offense with a chance to put the game away. Atlanta's defense has done a nice job only allowing five catches combined to Boldin and Fitzgerald. Unfortunately, two of the grabs were touchdowns over 40 yards.
Matt Ryan has enjoyed the best season for a rookie quarterback that I've seen. But he's finally looked like a rookie towards the tail end, especially against the Rams and Cardinals the last two weeks. He's got to get rid of the ball before taking that safety. The Falcons offense hasn't done anything right after halftime.
Edgerrin James is averaging five yards-per-carry with high of ten yards on 15 carries. That's vintage Edge. Keeping the the chains moving with minimal flash.
You can't pin this second half on the Atlanta defense. They made Arizona work for their touchdown and stopped them three straight times after that.
Great job by Falcons coach Mike Smith to go for it on fourth-and-six with seven minutes left. Let your players try to win the game. What a time for Atlanta's initial first down of the second half.
Matt Ryan touchdown to Roddy White. Kudos also go to Mike Mularkey for his playcalling to cut the score to 30-24. Underrated job by him all year. That drive looked too easy.
Amazing confidence by the Cardinals to call three straight pass plays when they get the ball up six with only four minutes left. And these were medium range shots downfield. They connect on two, to Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston. The Falcons are wobbly.
Coverage by the Atlanta safeties and linebackers has been a buggaboo all season. Allowing a third-and-long to Stephen freaking Spach ends their season.
People may call this an upset, but the Cardinals were slightly favored by Vegas for a reason. They are a good home team, and they have a veteran quarterback. Atlanta was the better team during the regular season, but the better team doesn't always win.
Matt Ryan looked increasingly shaky the final few weeks of the season, and it carried over into the playoffs. No surprise there: it's amazing he held up so well for so long. The Falcons just weren't going to win a game where Michael Turner ran for 42 yards and they gave up two long touchdowns. That goes against what their team M.O. all season. Ryan didn't look good today, but this was a total team loss. Great learning experience for a young team that still has a few holes to fill.
This sets up a rematch for Arizona: they lost to Carolina and New York this season. They hung in there in both games, especially in Carolina. I don't think the Cardinals will put together another win, but I suspect the Panthers won't be disappointed if Minnesota dispatches Philly, sending the Cards to New York. If Carolina is vulnerable, it's through the air.
But that's looking ahead. It's debatable whether Arizona deserved a home playoff game, but this is a moment to savor for all the Buzzsaw fans out there. The Bidwells finally have a winner! Thanks for stopping by.
Comments
Whats up with the ref trying to stop #94 Smith from riding his teammate like a horse that might have been the funinest thing I have ever seen in an NFL game. GREAT!
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