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In the heady days of August, when this Falcons team still looked like one that might push for an NFC South title in 2018, the Arizona game loomed as a potential trap for an overconfident team nearing the end of its season. We all knew Arizona was going to be brutally bad, yes, but we know the Falcons have fallen on their faces against lesser lights in past years.
Fast forward to Week 15 of the season and the Falcons are barely better than the Cardinals, if they are at all. Atlanta’s free falling and just lost 34-20 to a Packers team fresh off a loss to Arizona, with their much vaunted offense putting up exactly 20 points once in the last five games, the defense looking as shaky as ever, and the return of Deion Jones doing little more than making that failure look a little faster and more physical. Everything has gone exactly as it was supposed to for Arizona, but the good times never started rolling in Atlanta.
Yet this game sparks the same kind of worries as it did back in the summer. On one hand, a loss here would move the Falcons up in the draft order, which is all we can really hang our hats on at this point. On the other hand, losing to the Arizona Cardinals would be so brutal even in the midst of this awful streak that it might inspire the team to do something out of character and poopcan a coach or two just to send a message. It would be tough to stomach, is what I’m saying.
That’s why I don’t blame you if you’re not watching this one, but as is our custom, we want to equip you to do so. Here’s some key information for Sunday’s game.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Arizona Cardinals, Week 15
When: Sunday, December 16, 1 p.m. EST
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Channel: FOX
Radio: 92.9 The Game
Key Questions: Seriously, can this Atlanta offense get back on track against one of the league’s lesser defenses? Can their defense put the brakes on one of the NFL’s worst offenses? Will anyone actually show up to MBS to watch this game?
Opponent Site: Revenge of the Birds