Falcons - Cardinals: Final score predictions from The Falcoholic staff

This week, hopes run a little higher than last week, which isn’t saying much but isn’t saying nothing. Here’s our predictions.

Falcons 34 - Cardinals 31

Why should you believe in the Falcons this week? It has a lot to do with the state of the Cardinals, a team lacking talent at many key positions and dealing with injuries at many more. We know Arizona is going to pass all over the Falcons—every team has, more or less—but their weaknesses on defense and Atlanta’s extremely overdue turnover luck gives me hope they can pull out a close win. - Dave Choate

Falcons 27 - Cardinals 28

A rookie QB. A rookie head coach. A franchise that is rebuilding. This should be a recipe for a Falcons win, but my faith has crumbled. The offensive line has struggled and guys like Terrell Suggs and Chandler Jones are salivating over the thought of squaring up against rookie Kaleb McGary. Our defensive secondary makes chumps into all-stars now. Kyler Murray is destined to have a career game, simply because he’s facing this putrid defense. The offense will struggle to those 27 and it still won’t be enough. Dan Quinn will rocket into the bye week with a record that will make Arthur Blank strongly contemplate firing him mid-way through the season. Prepare for a long, long season folks. - David Walker

Falcons 31 - Cardinals 28

The only reason I’m picking the Falcons to win this game is because it’s arguably the easiest remaining game on their schedule. When you look at the recent weeks, the opposing teams’ secondary wide receiver seems to excel against us, to watch out for Christian Kirk. Larry Fitzgerald will likely get his, but Kirk could have a breakout game. Also, I think the Falcons talented offense will score enough despite the playcalling to tie the game. Insert Matt Bryant to win the game. - Evan Birchfield

Falcons 21 - Cardinals 24

I can’t trust any part of this team. In fact, if you are streaming quarterbacks in fantasy, you probably already claimed Kyler Murray based on how the defense can elevate any pass thrower into a potential hall of fame player. The Falcons are on the road and may be short a player like Desmond Trufant. I want to say this is the week they finally turn it around but that window closed weeks ago. Everything is too dysfunctional to expect Atlanta to win, even against the rebuilding Cardinals. - Matt Chambers