I'm a hawks' viewer (there can't be any fans left) and they never hold a team under 100.
It's hard to envision the Cards winning. I think they will use the same defense as last time. If you stop Vick from running the Falcons are not that tough. However, the new option plays the Falcons have installed figure to totally confuse the Cards’ defense. Getting nearly a full game out of Dansby is critical. If Pace gets caught inside today, Vick will run for 200 yards personally. The Cards also need to put in Macklin, not Ware, if Green is not ready to play corner. Macklin is a little soft, but infinitely better than Ware. Vick will pick Ware apart.
Look for the Cards to play Wilson in the box all day. He will “spy” Vick, but like most of the Cards, he will overrun that option play repeatedly if he displays too much aggression. Winning the game will require patience and discipline. The Falcons’ misdirection offense works best against run-to-the-ball defenses, such as the one the Cards employ. The Cards’ defenders must be certain they are running to the ball and not to the fake. They must stay at home and show a major step forward in self control.
That said the Falcons have failed to put away opponents, so likely the Cards will be close.
Falcons 24
Cards 21
