Atlanta matches up well against the Cardinals O-line. Our O-line has a problem run blocking, but it is a good pass blocking line. However, if we cannot run block, you guys will mix in enough blitzes to keep Warner from being able to set up the long passes. I'm not sure if you have enough of a pass rush to keep us out of the middle passing game, which is what kills a lot of teams. This is because of the yards after the catch ability of Boldin and Fitz. IT also sets up our run game better.
Key player to watch for: Levi Brown. Our right tackle has given up 11 sacks this year. He's very young and he's improving, but Deuce next to him has been struggling as well. If Levi holds up, it will be a very good day for the cardinals, if he does not, we'll have to rely heavily on short passes, which we excel at... but it makes our offense too one dimensional.
If we have a minimal running game, and it looks like we're going back to Edge so I expect we will, the next match up for the Falcons becomes your secondary. I do not expect corner play to keep the ball out of our receivers hands. With good pressure though, you can keep the passes shorter, so it comes down to your safeties abilities to keep the YAC to a minimum. Milloy might be up to the task, but he can only be on one side of the field at a time. I would expect to see him doubling Fitz a lot.
Player to Watch: Boldin. If Milloy is doubling Fitz's side of the field, look for Warner to go for Boldin on the short routes (5-10 yards) and try to turn them into 10-20s. If you are doubling or at least spying on Boldin, look for the opposite on the other side of the field.
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The other side of the field is a bit dicier for us. The good news is DRC (Dominique Rogers-Cromartie) (Spelling?) is quickly becoming a #1 corner for us. I'm not sure he's ready for single coverage with Roddy White. That is unfortunate, because it means Aaron Francisco will spend a good part of the game helping double White. It means Rod Hood better be able to go 1 on 1 with Jenkins. We'll need Adrian Wilson in the box to bring the extra pass rush and/or run blitz to keep Turner contained. We have done a very good job containing #1 running backs, even top tier backs all year as long as we keep coverage in the secondary tight. Against the Vikings we broke down and Jackson threw for 4 touch down passes and Peterson ran for a big day as did Taylor. However, everyone has an issue with the Vikings if they can throw for 4 TDs. Atlanta will see 7 or 8 in the box the entire game, they'll need to be able to short pass over it. Not everyone can as we can bring a lot of QB pressure when we stack... Wilson is incredible in the pass rush and Turner is the type of back that we tend to be able to stop.
Key player: Norwood. He's a powerful back, the type the Cardinals often have a problem with. Also: Matt Ryan... he's going to need to be able to make hot reads and get the ball out of his hands into his check down guy quickly. I wish he was looking a little less poised down the stretch, personally.
Cardinal player to watch: If we're getting to you, I think you are softer up the middle than you are on either edge. I'd still watch for a lot of edge pressure as that is how we like to blitz, but when the edge blitz comes we're going to need Gerald Hayes or Dockett or Dansby to find those gaps in the middle and go through the center to get straight at the QB/Turner.
Intangibles: The Cardinals have looked amazing this season in 11 or 12 games. We have looked awful this year in at least 4 contests (jets, eagles, vikings and patriots). It looked like the strutting from winning the division is over and we looked sharp against Seattle. If we can carry the home field strength I've seen in almost all of the home games in the last 2 years (minus the 49ers last year and the Vikings this year), we're a mean mean team to stop at home.
Good luck, but I'll be part of the homefield advantage, screaming my face off rooting for the Cardinals.
