A Very Falcoholic Discussion: Falcons At Cardinals

We need John Abraham to be able to play. I mean, really, really, really need him to play. The way he went out of the Rams game, it looked to me like he reinjured his groin. Nobody has said anything, and he hasn’t practiced yet this week. This worries me. I mean, really, really worries me. I know they said he was just resting in the second half, but I don’t buy it. With the offense that the Cardinals run, we can afford to not have Anderson in for run support, and Milloy wouldn’t be missed as much as last week. But not having Abe would be a disaster. Offensively, we shouldn’t be afraid to air it out a bit more on traditional run downs. WIth our reputation as a run first, run second, run some more type team, throwing on first down would be like stealing. I just hope we aren’t hamstrung by injuries for a game like this.

Arizona’s defensive shortcomings should allow us to score enough points to win IMO. What worries me is whether our defense shows up ready to play, they frequently looked awful against the Rams and Vikings. Warner and Co. will probably pass for a fair amount of yardage, and if Arizona (last in rushing yards) can run the ball on us, it might be a long day.

Our defensive injuries suck, but they are what they are. You never know what will happen, though. Sometimes in games like this, unheralded guys make the biggest plays. Chauncey Davis might not pop Warner’s head off like a grape, but I’ll watch just in case.

1. Warner will eat our secondary alive. But…
2. Our run offense will be titanic. I’m talking another 200+ yard game for Mr. Turner and at least 100yds returning for Norwood. It will be our running game and its ludicrus ToP stat that keeps Warner and his cronies from getting into the endzone enough to win the game.
3. The Secondary will produce at least one interception because…
4. Abe will pressure Warner all day and get to him at least once.
5. Ryan will show up, but don’t expect him to get the game ball. He’ll have servicable stats at game’s end.

Our run game will win this one. It’ll keep Warner off the field and our defense rested. The Cards won’t run on us much.

If we are mark’d to die, we are enow
To do our country loss; and if to live,
The fewer men, the greater share of honour.
God’s will! I pray thee, wish not one man more.
By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,
Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost;
It yearns me not if men my garments wear;
Such outward things dwell not in my desires.
But if it be a sin to covet honour,
I am the most offending soul alive.
(Billy Shakespeare’s “Henry V”)

I’m pulling for you. It would be nice to see a NFC South team dominate. Especially one as young and deserving as your Atlanta Falcons. Your fan base deserves this win, hopefully the football team can deliver it….

GOOD LUCK!

The Falcons are just a flat out better team than the Cardinals. They’ve played a tougher schedule, in a tougher division, and done more against good teams than Arizona.

If Abraham and the defense get sufficient pressure on Warner, this game shouldn’t be close. If he’s allowed time to operate… it could get difficult, but not impossible for you guys. That’s the key. Your offense will be able to do things against the Cardinals defense…. it’s going to come down to whether you can pressure Warner.

…pacing around their house like a caged animal? This last hour before the game drives me nuts!

Let’s go Falcons!

I just finished a 15 month combat tour in Iraq (got home 2 days ago, I’ve been waiting for this game for the last 3 weeks)

I guess you could compare this stress to war – very unpredictable… So many possibilities.