The Atlanta Falcons will play in their fourth road game of the season against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 6. Both teams have just one win this season, but the Falcons weren't expected to be in the position that they're currently in.
In the first five weeks of the season, Atlanta boasts an abysmal 1-4 record. Due to their struggles, the Falcons are sitting by their lonesome in last place in the NFC South.
You would think that an offense with Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Devonta Freeman, Mohamed Sanu, and Calvin Ridley would be able to score points with ease. Even Austin Hooper has become one of the most productive tight ends in the NFL this season.
On the contrary, the Falcons offense is the 20th ranked scoring offense (20.4 points per game) in the NFL in their first five games. Luckily for them, they will face a Cardinals defense that has allowed the fifth-most points per game in the NFL (27.6 points per game).
With that in mind, here are four reasons why the Falcons will defeat the Cardinals in Week 6.
4. Devonta Freeman will finally get into a groove on the ground
One of the most significant issues for the Falcons offense this season has been their inability to run the ball effectively. Presently, Atlanta has the 28th ranked rushing offense (67.6 yards per game) in the NFL this season.
As a result, Devonta Freeman's play on the field has suffered this season as he returned from an injury that held him out for 14 games in 2018. This season, Freeman has rushed for 187 yards on 58 attempts (3.2 yards per attempt) and zero touchdowns.
However, this week, Freeman should be able to have his way with Arizona's downtrodden run defense. The Cardinals have allowed a whopping 138.8 rushing yards per game (27th in the NFL) to begin the season. Expect the Falcons featured back to finally get into a groove as the offense has success pounding the rock.
3. The Falcons defense will be able to get pressure on Kyler Murray
Over the past couple of seasons, Atlanta has had trouble accumulating pressure on the quarterback as a defense. This year hasn't been any different, with Dan Quinn's group being tied with the Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos with just five sacks this season (worst in the NFL).
At the least, Quinn will have a chance to increase those numbers against an awful offensive line of the Cardinals in Week 6. Throughout this season, Arizona has given up 21 sacks on Kyler Murray (third-most in the NFL).
Every team besides the Cincinnati Bengals has been able to bring Murray down at least three times. After having just five sacks in five games, they should be able to make the rookie quarterback uncomfortable in the pocket.
2. No one is stopping Julio Jones
To begin the season, the Cardinals have been without Patrick Peterson and Robert Alford in their secondary. Peterson is serving the last game of his six-game suspension this Sunday while Alford remains on injured reserve until at least the second half of the season.
In light of that, no one in Arizona's secondary will be able to cover Julio Jones. Jones has had two straight games of fewer than five receptions and 60 yards this season.
Therefore, the All-Pro wideout is going to play motivated on Sunday versus a Cardinals defense that is susceptible to the pass in 2019. Jones is poised to have one of his memorable 200-yard performances on Sunday.
1. This game could become a shootout
Both of these teams have a combined record of 2-7-1 this season, and they both have bottom-of-the-barrel defenses. Considering that, there's a decent chance we get an absolute shootout between two teams who are longing to get their second win of the season.
As good as Murray has been for the Cardinals, the Falcons offense has much more to work with if this game turns into a high-scoring affair. Due to that, Atlanta gets the nod in this game, with the score being around 38-30 at the end of four quarters.
The Falcons aren't entirely out of the playoff race, but a loss in Week 6 would all but end their season. With that in mind, Ryan and company are going to take care of business on the road against the Cardinals this Sunday.
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