FALCONS FLIGHT: Battle of the birds in Week 2 at the Dome

Coming off a 15-9 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Falcons return home on Sunday with the pressure of needing a win to avoid a tough 0-2 start to the season.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Arizona Cardinals come to town with a chance to being their 2010 campaign 2-0. The Cardinals traveled to St. Louis last weekend for an NFC West clash and edged the Rams 17-13.

Having sorted out its QB quandry during the offseason by waiving former first-round pick Matt Leinart, Arizona gave Derek Anderson control of the offense. He did not disappoint. Anderson completed 22 of 41 passes for 297 yards and one touchdown without throwing an interception. His lone scoring strike, a 21-yarder to Larry Fitzgerald midway through the fourth quarter, proved to be the game-winner.

With running back Beanie Wells sidelined, the Cardinals mustered barely more than 100 yards rushing behind Tim Hightower and LaRod Stephens-Howling. Fitzgerald caught only two passes aside from the late touchdown, but Steve Breaston stepped up to the tune of seven receptions for 132 yards.

Head coach Ken Whisenhunt, who played for Georgia Tech and was drafted by the Falcons in 1985, expects improvement in Week 2–especially from Anderson and Fitzgerald. “We understand that there is going to be, I don’t want to say timing issues, but some growing issues with that he really hasn’t any time with Larry,” Whisenhunt said of his quarterback. “We have been spoiled the last two and a half years because Kurt (Warner) and Larry had I don’t know how many reps together and had a good feel for that…and that will come.”

Arizona–as always–can be dangerous on offense, but its defense remains a question mark. The team runs a 3-4 scheme and with outside linebackers Joey Porter and Clark Haggans especially skilled against the run, Arizona’s ‘D’ can be susceptible to an air attack. Sam Bradford passed for 255 yards in Week 1, but the Cardinals benefited from rookie mistakes and forced him onto three interceptions. Matt Ryan, in his third year and surrounded by veterans including Michael Turner, Roddy White, and Tony Gonzalez, likely won’t be as generous.

Injuries: Fitzgerald is listed as probable with a minor knee issue, but he participated fully in practice this week and will play–almost certainly at 100 percent. The news is not as good for fellow wide receiver Early Doucet, who is out with a groin injury. Wells (questionable with a knee problem) is listed as questionable and could miss his second straight contest. At best, the former Ohio State Buckeye will be extremely limited.

Last meeting with Falcons: Arizona and Atlanta squared off in the first round of the 2008 playoffs. The Cardinals, enjoying home-field advantage, pulled out a 30-24 victory. The two teams did not play each other last year, when Arizona captured another NFC West crown at 10-6 and Atlanta missed the playoffs at 9-7.