Falcons 23 - Cardnials 19

FALCONS 23 - CARDINALS 19
Though not their finest hour of the season, the 9-1 Falcons held on to beat their NFC foe Arizona Cardinals.

Matt Ryan was under constant pressure, particularly from between the tackles.  This eliminated any type of pocket protection and contributed, in part, to his career worst 5 interception performance.

John Abraham, the Predator, was hungry and made mincemeat on the edges against the Cardinals over matched offensive line.  He pressured, harassed and tormented both Arizona quarterbacks all day which helped minimize an already punchless Cardinal passing attack.

 While some Falcons fans may have felt bad after this one, the Cardinals (especially their QB Tandem) felt much worse.

JULIO JONES AND HIS TENDER ANKLE - CAUSE FOR CONCERN?
Attention Coach Smith:  HOLSTER THAT CHALLENGE FLAG
On Sunday, many fans were introduced to a wrinkle in the NFL's challenge rules which state that:
1.  ALL TURNOVERS WILL BE REVIEWED BY THE BOOTH;
2.  IF  A COACH THROWS THE CHALLENGE FLAG BEFORE THE BOOTH REVIEW IS INITIATED, IT SHALL BE A 15 YARD UNSPORTSMEN LIKE CONDUCT PENALTY; AND
3.  NO REVIEW SHALL TAKE PLACE.   
  Apparently, Coach Smith learned these rules for the first time as well.
THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM
Averaging just under 2 yards a carry over the last 8 quarters, Mike Turner has been anything but "the Burner."  Although he was able to punch it in from one yard yesterday, the O-Line celebrated that TD like a pack of 13 year old girls with Justin Bieber tickets.  Not exactly what we would expect from the 9-1 Falcons offense, but this is what it has come to....

 Do we really miss "SPOON" that much?!

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