The Arizona Cardinals’ Week 10 opponent at home are the Atlanta Falcons, who come into this weekend having lost two in a row and sitting at 4-5.
The Falcons have not beaten the Cardinals in Arizona since 2001 but have won four of the last five meetings.
To give us some insight from “behind enemy lines,” Falcons Wire managing editor Matt Urben answers some questions and makes some predictions for the game.
Check them out below.
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Taylor Heinicke
What does Taylor Heinicke offer that is different than Desmond Ridder?
Heinicke seems to go through his progressions a little faster than Ridder and has a better feel for how to move in the pocket. He also takes more downfield risks, which can be both a good thing and a bad thing. Ridder has led some clutch drives late in games, but he has shown a lack of awareness at times. Basically, Heinicke’s just a veteran who gives the team a slightly better chance at winning.
Best and worst on offense, defense
On both sides of the ball, what do the Falcons do best and do worst?
On offense, the Falcons are still a run-first team, although Heinicke has opened things up a little bit in the passing game. Rookie RB Bijan Robinson has lived up to the hype thus far. For some reason, though, this team goes through long stretches of looking absolutely lost. Route concepts don’t always seem to make sense and things often feel more difficult than they should.
Defensively, Atlanta’s secondary has gone from a weakness to a strength with safety Jessie Bates leading the charge. Jeff Okudah and A.J. Terrell have been a formidable duo at cornerback. However, the defense has given up some big plays to overshadow otherwise good performances.
Bad team or good team?
On a spectrum from bad to good as a team, where do the Falcons fall and why?
The Falcons can’t be considered a good team at this point, but they’re not quite bad either. At 4-5, the team is on pace for a third straight 7-9 season under head coach Arthur Smith. With all the pieces in place to be an offensive juggernaut, the Falcons continue to but just below average on that side of the ball. I’d say the defense is above average but not good.
Matchups
Which matchups are you excited for? Which ones worry you the most?
I’m excited to see how Atlanta’s linebackers attack Cardinals QB Kyler Murray. Nate Landman and Kaden Elliss have been solid but the defense struggled to slow Vikings QB Josh Dobbs anytime he left the pocket in Week 9. Murray is obviously an even greater threat with his legs and it will be interesting to see how the Falcons respond after allowing Dobbs to beat them last weekend.
Predictions
