CARDINALS (4-5-1) VS. FALCONS (6-4)
SUNDAY, 1 P.M. ET, GEORGIA DOME, ATLANTA uTV: FOX, DIRECTV 709
Announcers: Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch, Pam Oliver
About the Cardinals: A disappointing season hit a new low in a 30-24 loss at Minnesota. The Vikings were limited to 217 total yards but scored touchdowns on a 104-yard kickoff return and a 100-yard interception return. Its playoff hopes fading, Arizona is 1-3 on the road and heads east hoping QB
is OK after taking a pounding from the Vikings. Unofficially, the Vikings were credited with 23 QB hits on 42 dropbacks. Palmer was sacked four times, threw two interceptions and finished with a 63.3 passer rating. Head coach status also was unclear after a hospitalization early in the week.
About the Falcons: A bye week should be sufficient time to review, flush and move on from a disheartening loss at Philadelphia in Week 10. How the Falcons respond from that 24-15 beatdown could well determine how they finish. “We are far from panic time,” veteran DE said. Still, they might be feeling a sense of urgency with Arizona and Kansas City at home the next two weeks and divisional foe Tampa Bay (5-5) suddenly within a game. The Eagles provided a blueprint for success, pounding the ball on offense and getting after QB on defense. “We’ve got a tough outfit,” coach
said. “We know what we stand for as a club.”
All eyes will be on two of the game’s elite players — a bona fide shutdown corner against the league’s top receiver in yards Cornerback Patrick Peterson, above, goes up against leading receiver Julio Jones.
gained (1,105).
Player to watch: Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald. Though playing through ankle and knee injuries, this ageless slot receiver continues to put up Pro Bowl numbers (74 receptions, 749 yards, five TDs) and remains a staple in Arizona’s passing game.
Consecutive games this season in which Cardinals RB
has amassed at least 100 yards
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
from scrimmage, including Sunday’s loss at Minnesota (160 yards, two TDs). That’s the longest streak in the NFL since 2005 (Edgerrin James — first 13 games with Indianapolis).
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Game on: Once in command of the NFC South, the Falcons have come back to the pack. Last year, Atlanta dropped four of its last six games to finish 8-8 and miss the playoffs for the third consecutive season. The Falcons are 6-4 again but this time have four of their last six games at home. How will they respond? Ryan must continue to play at an elite level, which he didn’t in Week 10.
2. Answer the bell: Now three games behind streaking Seattle (7-2-1) in the NFC West, the Cardinals have to rediscover their mojo, and it starts with Palmer and a patchwork offensive line. The offensive pieces are there with receivers Floyd and TE Gresham and, of course, Johnson.
3. Walking wounded: The Falcons are expected to get two key players back — RB (hamstring) and CB (shoulder). A healthy Cole
give Atlanta man and RB a solid one-two punch. TE (IR/shoulder) has been replaced in the lineup by and rookie
Arizona DB (shoulder) should be return to the lineup after being scratched at Minnesota. He’ll come in handy against the Falcons’ receivers, especially Jones and Brian Allee-Walsh