Atlanta Falcons blow out the Arizona Cardinals 41-7
The Atlanta Falcons rebounded from a loss in week one to rout the Arizona Cardinals 41-7 on Sunday. The Falcons shredded the Cardianals defence with a balanced attack led through the air by a likely candidate,
quarterback Matt Ryan, and a not-so-likely one on the ground, third-string running back Jason Snelling.
Snelling, who came into the game after injuries to starter Michael Turner and his backup, Jerious Norwood, finished with 24 carries for 129 yards and two TD's. He added five catches for 57 yards and another
touchdown for good measure.
Said Snelling after the game, "I'm a little tired."
Snelling played so well, that by the time Turner was ready to return, there was no need.
"That says a lot about the depth of our team," coach Mike Smith said. "He's just a darned good football player, not only running the football but catching the football."
Snelling wasn't the only Falcon to get his on Sunday. Ryan spread the ball all over the field, to the tune of 225 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. He hit six different recievers
"I could say I told you so," tight end Tony Gonzalez said. "We spread the ball around pretty good today, and that's what we needed. We needed to have that game today for our confidence, just to show everybody
what we can do."
Confidence is something the Cardinals will be hoping to regain. Positives were light on the ground for Arizona, whose only score came on an 80-yard run by Tim Hightower, the longest in Arizona's history.
That was about it. Derek Anderson reminded everyone how important Kurt Warner was to this offense, finishing with 161 yards passing with two interceptions and no touchdowns, while Hightower could only
manage 35 yards rushing before and after his big run. The defense also lost some big players in the off-season, and it showed in Atlanta.
Frustrations within the unit were obvious, on and off the field. Late in the game, Kerry Rhodes bumped an official while complaining a call and was ejected, while Darnell Docket had this to say of Snelling's
big game.
"Anybody can fill in like that if the tackling isn't there," Darnell Dockett told a reporter. "Even you could."
The Cardinals can take solace in a few things. A loss is a loss no matter what the score is, they still play in a division that is very winnable, and they get to play the Raiders next week.
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