So Much For Introductions....

I was planning on my first post here to be recap of Atlanta's victory over Arizona last Saturday, but since life has decided to sucker slap me again I'll resign to using an argument I had with a friend over who was the better team Sunday. Here is the lazy cut n' paste:



"First off, damn right I'm a homer! I must say that this game reminded me very much of the Denver game in week 11. In both games Atlanta's offense stagnated for long periods of time against an inferior defense and the pass defense disappeared against a robust passing attack. This victory for Arizona was much more of a matchup win than outright being better. The 30 points Arizona scored was the most Atlanta allowed all season and the only time they allowed 30 or more all year. The difference making play in this game was the fumble return to open the second half. It was a freak play that rattled an otherwise steady team. I think there were a few series of the Falcons trying to hit a big play to swing momentum back in their favor and instead they fell flat. I believe that Atlanta is still the superior team. By team I mean a group of individuals working together cohesively to achieve a common goal. The most telling information for this argument can be found in the turnover margin and win/loss records. Here is a comparison of the two teams while winning losing and tying in the turnover battle each week:


ATLANTA 11-5 overall/ -3 turnover ratio
- Turnover record- 5-8-3
- Winning turnover battle- 5-0
- losing turnover battle- 4-4
- tying turnover battle- 2-1


ARIZONA 9-7 overall/ 0 turnover ratio
- Turnover record- 7-8-1
- Winning turnover battle- 7-0
- losing turnover battle- 1-7
- tying turnover battle- 1-0


As you can see, both teams fare very well when the margin is in their favor, going a combined 12-0. the big difference shows when the margin is unfavorable or even, with ATL at 6-5 and ARZ at 2-7. Of Atlanta's 6 wins in this situation, 4 came in the final 6 games of the season with a combined 10-1 turnover margin, including 3-0 to San Diego, 3-1 to Tampa and 3-0 to St. Louis. Arizona's 2 wins in this situation were a win against Miami and the overtime win against Dallas (with a blocked punt for a score). These numbers tell me that the Cards can win when things go their way, but falter when adversity strikes. Atlanta shows resiliency and overcomes these difficulties. 6 of Arizona's losses were by a TD or more with 4 games with a 20+ point margin of defeat. Atlanta lost only 3 games by a TD or more with the largest margin of defeat being 15 points. This hints at a pattern of accepting defeat on the Cardinals part and tenacity on the Falcons behalf. This year Arizona and Atlanta each had 5 games against current playoff teams. Arizona was 1-4 and Atlanta was 3-2. Still, Atlanta lost and Arizona gets to be the sacrificial lamb in Charlotte next week instead, where home field advantage truly lives and breathes. Enjoy your day in the sun Arizona. just remember that you had to move to the desert just to become the most important Cardinals in your own town."