Atlanta gets a nine yard gain, to make it fourth and one. They take a time out, to discuss going for it, or kicking a field goal. So far, this is a great clock-eating drive for the Falcons. Elam kicks the field goal to put the Falcons on the board. Arizona leads 7-3.
Arizona needs to get some offense going this time, as the defense of Atlanta has stepped up to pressure Warner on almost every pass. Atlanta kicks off, and Arizona takes over on their own 27-yard line.
Warner's pass is batted down by a lineman. 2nd and 10. Boldin makes his first catch for a three yard gain.
Boldin catches a short pass and sprints 71 yards down the sideline for a touchdown. 14-3 Arizona over Atlanta. The defender took a bad angle and Boldin was gone, showing nice speed. His shoulder is hurt, but not his legs.
Arizona kicks off with 8:54 to go in the half. Atlanta takes over at around the 25-yard line. Ryan completes two more passes for a first down. That's nine completions in a row for Ryan.
Ryan throws across the field to Roddy White and he drops it. That was a 36-yard drop. Anther incompletion, and it's 3rd and 10. Ryan throws to Jenkins 21 yards for a first down. Ryan is pressured, but completes one to Jenkins.
Turner gets the ball, but he is stopped in the backfield again. 3rd and six. First down again, on an eight-yard gain to White. This time he is chased, and throws incomplete.
2nd and 10 on the Arizona 30. Another first down to Roddy White. His protection is holding up better now. Ryan runs for a short gain. 2nd and about 8. Turner runs it again for a short gain. 3rd and six.
Ryan throws again for a first down, on another long sustained drive. 1st and goal. Turner waltzes in for a touchdown, untouched. Arizona 14, Atlanta 10. That drive covered 77 yards on 14 plays, as the Falcons narrow the gap.
There's 2:55 left for Arizona to do something. Touchback for Arizona, 1st and 10 from the 20-yard line. Edgerrin James runs for no gain, 2nd and 10. Warner is rushed hard, who dumps it off, incomplete. On the next pass, the ball bounces off a Arizona receiver and it pops into an Atlanta player's hands. Interception!
Atlanta gets it on the 23-yard line of Arizona. Ryan completes a short pass, and that brings us to the two-minute warning.
That was a costly mistake for Arizona. The receiver did not seem to be looking for the ball and it bounced right off him, straight up into the air.
Turner runs the ball, close to a first down. yes, first down. Offsides defense, 1st and five. Ryan overthrows a wide-open receiver in the end zone. 2nd and 5. Atlanta takes a time out. Turner is stopped and its 3rd and 4. Ryan throws complete for a first down.
First and goal at the 3. Ryan throws for a touchdown to take the lead. Atlanta 17, Arizona 14. The turnovers are even now and it's a close game. Arizona will take it into the locker room and regroup.
Matt Ryan started off shaky, but has gotten hot, to give his team the lead. I think Arizona abandoned the run way too soon, and that has hurt them. No one expected them to run the ball, and it was working at first.
This game so far has had ebbs and flows for both teams and Atlanta seems to have the momentum as the second half begins.
Ryan hands the ball off to Turner, who is hit, the ball pops up in the air and Rolle grabs it, and races into the end zone for Arizona. Touchdown Cardinals to start the 2nd half. 21-17 with Arizona retaking the lead.
Turner is tackled in the backfield for a one yard loss, 2nd and 11. Ryan completes another one , but a hold negates that first down play.
2nd and 21 for Atlanta. Ryan being chased, throws it away, incomplete. Ryan was really under pressure that time. 3rd and 21. Another flag, delay of game, Falcons.
3rd and 25 from their own 5. Ryan throws down field incomplete. Atlanta punts from deep in their own end zone.
Atlanta hits the punt returner and that's another penalty on Atlanta. Arizona starts with very good field position. Atlanta is really shaky once again to start the second half.
Arizona goes back to the run with Edgerrin James and he gains five yards. Warner is blitzed and throws incomplete. 3rd and 5. Incomplete pass and Arizona tries a 51-yard field goal, which sails wide left, no good!
Atlanta dodged a bullet there for sure, and takes over the ball in decent field position.
Ryan and the Falcons go three-and-out this time and must kick it back to Arizona. The punt goes out of bounds for only a 31-yard kick. Arizona takes over on their own 24 yard line.
Arizona is running the ball again, as James runs twice for eight yards, 3rd and 2. Warner throws complete for a first down. James on the ground for two yards. He ran into his own man or that could have gone for more. Warner throws another completion.
We're going to send you the most entertaining Arizona Cardinals articles, videos, and podcasts from around the web.
6 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete