On the other hand, they're eleventh-best in points allowed per game with 20.3. The bend-but-don't-break style that Atlanta often finds itself employing will be as critical as ever on Saturday. The Falcons will give up points through the air; they have to find ways to give up as few as possible.
One of the ways they can accomplish this is by getting a strong pass rush to Warner. Warner, age 37, has proven when you can get to him, you can slow him down. He is however notoriously fast with his release so that's easier said than done.
Cardinals left tackle Mike Gandy will draw the assignment of blocking Abraham. Even if Abraham can come up with a big day, it still may not be enough to slow Warner down.
Of the seven games in which he was sacked two or more times, four were losses, which isn't enough evidence to conclude that sacking Warner is the total solution for the Falcons.
Pressure on Warner alone won't be enough. The Falcons secondary will have to hold their own against the receivers.
The corners will get help from the safeties since the assumption is that the running game will be ineffective. Atlanta will need to concentrate on making solid and sure tackles as quickly as the ball is caught. The idea of every player being a "ball hawk" is more important than ever on Saturday.
The Cardinals' top three receivers, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, and Steve Breaston each average 14.9, 11.7, and 13.1 yards per catch. That means they're making big plays and running after the catch. The Falcons will have to limit their ability to continue to run for extra yards after the catch.
The bottom line here is the Cardinals' passing offense is dangerous. Arizona scored the third-most points in the league. The top two in the league were the New Orleans Saints and the San Diego Chargers.
The Falcons played and defeated both teams (they split with the Saints, losing in the second match up of the season). They've proven they can handle the task of controlling a tough offense and now they'll have to go out and do it for a third time this season.
Start Fast and Take Some Shots Downfield
The Falcons are not ashamed of the fact that they want to run the ball.
In fact, they flaunt it, to the tune of 152 yards per game, second-best in the NFL. The Cardinals are a middle-of-the-pack 17th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed, with 110. However, they have faced six of the league's top nine rushing teams and lost all six games. So the Falcons should be able to run the ball—that's a given.
The Falcons do want to be balanced on offense though. Sure, running allows for clock control, but they still need to score points against this team. Atlanta will need to continue to start fast in the first quarter. They must start fast.
Arizona has scored 427 points this season, as mentioned before, third-most in the league. However, the points don't come in the first quarter. On the season the Cardinals have averaged four points in the first quarter.
Yes, you read that correctly: an average of four points in the first quarter. They explode over the course of the remainder of the game, which is the staunch opposite of what Atlanta does.
If Atlanta can take some shots down field to receivers Roddy White and Michael Jenkins and put some early fast points on the board, the cushion may be great enough for the remainder of the game.
If the Falcons can get into the red zone they should be able to find points. Arizona allowed 55 possessions inside the 20-yard line this season, seventh-most in the league. Of those 55 possessions, they allowed a touchdown 63 percent of the time, fifth-worst in the NFL.
Against the New York Giants and the Carolina Panthers (the two teams also in the top three in rushing), the Cardinals did a decent job of containing the running game, allowing 87 and 113 yards, respectively.
However, both teams were able to establish that portion of their offense, with 27 and 29 attempts each. In both games, the running game was respected and defended, but it opened up holes in the defense for the passing game.
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