Falcons 2022 record: 6-10 ( T-Last in NFC South)
Opponent: Arizona Cardinals
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
Final Score: Falcons 20 – Cardinals 19
Notable Falcons Performances:
QB Desmond Ridder – 19/26 (73%) for 169 YDs, 90.1 passer rating
RB Tyler Allgeier – 20 carries for 83 YDs, 1 TD
RB Cordarrelle Patterson – 9 carries for 42 YDs, 1 TD, 6 REC for 42 YDs
CB Isaiah Oliver – 9 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 2 passes defensed, 1 QB hit
Notable Cardinals Performances:
QB David Blough – 24/40 (60%) for 222 YDs, 1 TD
RB James Conner – 16 carries for 79 YDs
TE Trey McBride – 7 REC for 78 YDs, 1 TD
WR Marquise Brown – 6 REC for 61 YDs
Next Opponent Preview:
Sunday, January 8 – vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Time TBD; Listen locally WTGZ Tiger 95.9 FM)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2022 record: 8-8
Previous Opponent: Carolina Panthers (W, 30-24)
Series History – Atlanta trails series 28-30
Takeaways:
Although the Falcons no longer have a chance to make the playoffs, there is still a lot to play for. Rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder has shown improvement week to week and continues to make a case that he can be the franchise quarterback of the future. This week he showed poise by leading the offense down the field and set the Falcons up for a game winning field goal. It will be interesting to see what this team will look like with a completely healthy offense featuring Kyle Pitts, who Ridder has yet to play a down with. Tyler Allgeier is continuing to show he can be the lead back moving forward in this offense as he accumulated almost 100 total yards for the third straight game. For the last game of the season, the Falcons will try to finish strong against a Bucs team that has locked themselves into the playoffs after winning the division yesterday against the Panthers. a win will give the Falcons the 9th spot in the 2022 NFL Draft, and a loss will have them in the 6th spot.
