Atlanta Vs. Arizona Preview: 10 Biggest Questions
Fresh off a grueling overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Atlanta Falcons return to the friendly confines of the Georgia Dome to face the Arizona Cardinals. These teams haven't met since Arizona beat Atlanta in the Wild Card Playoff Game 30-24 in 2009. Also, the last time Arizona came to the Dome they beat Atlanta in 2007, so the Falcons will be looking for payback.
This is a different Arizona squad than when these two teams last met. Pro Bowl quarterback Kurt Warner is no longer behind center as well as WR Anquan Boldin. However, these Cardinals have a new identity under coach Ken Whisenhunt and are coming off a win against St. Louis last week.
The Falcons know that they must play better, especially on offense, and we're going to take a look at the 10 Biggest Questions in our preview of Atlanta vs. Arizona!
1) Will Matt Ryan Make More Plays Downfield?
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Matty Ice threw 44 times last week against a stellar Pittsburgh Steeler defense, and may have to do more of the same against Arizona. Ryan has struggled against 3-4 defenses, and that's exactly the kind of defense he will face yet again this Sunday. He will need to be on the lookout for OLB Joey Porter and safety Adrian Wilson, who usually gets his number called on blitz packages.
Ryan will need to be more aggressive in throwing the ball to players other than Roddy White, whom he targeted 23 times last Sunday, resulting in 13 catches. Also, Atlanta only made one play above 20 yards, and that won't get it done against any defense in the NFL.
There will be games in which Ryan can't rely on the running game and will need to put the offense on his back. This may be one of those games.
2) How Will Jonathan Babineaux Play in His Return?
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Jonathan Babineaux returns from a one-game suspension just in time to attack the Cardinals' offensive line. Although the Falcons front four played well against Pittsburgh (Rashard Mendenhall's game winning TD notwithstanding) they still missed his ability to penetrate the line and create even more havoc. Placing him alongside Kroy Biermann will make Atlanta's defense even more formidable.
The Cardinals did not have much luck protecting QB Derek Anderson last week, as he was frequently visited by the St. Louis Rams defense in the backfield. Look for more of the same this Sunday, making it difficult for Anderson to get the ball downfield.
3) Who Is The X-Factor For Arizona?
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For spacing purposes, let's just name him DR-C ok?
Now that we have that established, DR-C will be the biggest weapon Arizona has on defense against the Falcons. Even though Porter may have the mouth and Wilson makes the INTs, if DR-C is able to win the matchup against Roddy White, Atlanta may still have problems reaching the end zone. DR-C is a gambler out in the secondary, but can make big plays when necessary. This will be a great matchup to watch, and White must win this battle if Atlanta is to win on Sunday.
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4) How Will Atlanta Cover Larry Fitzgerald?
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He gave the Falcons secondary fits in the playoff game a few years ago, and has become one of the NFL's most dominant receivers since. Even though he is still recovering from injury, Fitzgerald at even 80% is better than most receivers at 100%, and Atlanta cannot take that lightly.
More than likely Dunta Robinson will match up with Fitzgerald, as Dunta usually goes up against the opponent's best receiver, so it will be interesting to see if they will require double coverage. Although Atlanta catches a break with WR Early Doucet out, they cannot sleep on guys such as Steve Breaston, who had a career high 132 yards against St. Louis. They may be forced to use double coverage on Breaston and hope the front four can get pressure on Anderson by themselves.
5) Can Atlanta Finally Figure out The 3-4 Defense?
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Offensive Coordinator Mike Mularkey came under fire for his conservative play calling against Pittsburgh, and faces yet another 3-4 defense. Perhaps they need to play some simulated games in Madden in order to figure out how to counteract the defensive alignment, because something isn't working out in real life.
If Mularkey insists on playing it safe and not throw the ball downfield, at least take advantage of the talent by throwing the ball in short distances to more than just Roddy White. This will be a perfect opportunity for them to use Jerious Norwood in the slot or even on swing out passes. Sometimes a short pass play is as good as a run. It gets the speedy Norwood in the open field, where he can do some damage and gets the ball down the field.
6) Who Is The X-Factor For Atlanta?
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Harry Douglas is the number two receiver while Michael Jenkins recovers from injury, and if Atlanta wants to avoid being upset at home, they must be able to get the ball to players other than Roddy White. Douglas only saw the ball a few times last week, but they must get back to having him playing in end around runs and slant passes. Even if he has to play the possession receiver route on third downs, it will make Atlanta's offense more versatile against an improving Cardinals pass rush.
7) How Will Derek Anderson Perfrom?
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Derek Anderson is now the man in Arizona, and took a beating last week but still led Arizona to victory last Sunday in his Cardinals debut.
The Falcons cannot take him lightly, as he has weapons that he never had in Cleveland, and was still a threat to reach the end zone. The longer he stays on his feet the more dangerous he, and the Cardinals offense becomes.
However, I don't think that is going to be the case if Atlanta can get to him with their front four. I also expect to see Sean Witherspoon make an impact on Sunday in his home debut.
8) Will The Running Game Recover?
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For a team that prides itself on the running game, 19 rushes for 42 yards won't cut it. Atlanta must be able to get more out of both Michael Turner and Jason Snelling if they want to defeat Arizona.
The Falcons' offensive line must also be able to create open holes as they were barraged consistently against Pittsburgh last week. The Steelers' defense is one thing, but the Cardinals aren't much different since they basically have the same kind of setup. I believe that if Turner isn't getting the yards early in the game to make the offense convert more first downs, then they need to switch up and give Snelling more opportunities to run.
This will be up to the front five to open holes, and for Turner to exploit them. I predict both will happen.
9) Will Atlanta Sleep on Arizona's Running Game?
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While everyone and their mother will be concentrating on Larry Fitzgerald, the Falcons had better not forget that Arizona has talent in their own running game as well. Even though Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower may not command the spotlight, they can give defenses fits if teams decide to stay in nickel packages or not bring up an extra defender.
This is where having William Moore starting at safety may help. He can become that extra player on blitzes and run plays that will reduce the chances of the Cardinals' running backs from getting huge yards, and thus set up the passing attack.
Great teams know how to stop their opponents' greatest strengths but also minimize their weaknesses.
10) Who Will Win: Atlanta or Arizona?
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Atlanta is coming home a beaten but determined team. Arizona is on the road for a second consecutive week and will be facing a raucous Georgia Dome crowd.
Atlanta will also have their full compliment of defensive line starters as well as William Moore in the secondary. If Kurt Warner was still playing I would pick Arizona in a close one, but I expect the Falcons will come out pumped before the home crowd and Turner will find the end zone.
It will be close for a half but I predict Atlanta to wear out the Arizona defense en route to victory.
Final Score: Falcons 24, Arizona 13
Join me for the Falcons Live Blog on Sunday here at Bleacher Report! Also, please join us after the game for postgame analysis on "The Dungeon" radio show at 7pm Sunday. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/dungeonsociety
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