GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Even on a pair of teams that have been eliminated from the NFL playoff race, there are standout performances to admire.

Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride and Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson will try to extend their superb seasons when the two teams meet in the desert on Sunday. The Cardinals (3-11) have dropped six straight while the Falcons (5-9) are coming off a win against the Buccaneers heading into the matchup.

McBride, a fourth-year player, has caught 105 passes for 1,071 yards and 10 touchdowns in all 14 games for Arizona. He’s hauled in at least five passes in 16 straight games dating back to last season, breaking the league record for tight ends that was previously held by Kansas City’s Travis Kelce, who had a 15-game streak.

Falcons coach Raheem Morris said McBride’s passion for the game really shows on tape.

“He loves it. He plays it that way,” Morris said. “He can block. He can be the focal point in the passing game. He does it all. He’s a really good football player. Got a lot of respect for him.”

On the other side of the field, Robinson needs just 142 combined rushing and receiving yards to become the third player in Falcons history to record 2,000 yards from scrimmage. He would join Jamal Anderson (1998) and William Andrews (1981 and 1983) in rare franchise company.

“He’s special,” Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said. “You’re watching games and it seems like it’s a highlight reel. He’s a really good back. He’s one of the best ones out there. I don’t compare players, but this would be one of the better ones we face in the run and pass game.”

Robinson has rushed for 1,174 yards and six touchdowns while also catching 64 passes for 684 yards and two touchdowns. His 132.7 scrimmage yards per game leads the NFL.

Big production from Pitts

Tight end Kyle Pitts’ inability to provide consistent production has been a source of frustration since he was the No. 4 overall draft pick in 2021. Pitts is still only 25 and he showed last week against Tampa Bay why so many observers believe he has such a high upside.

Pitts had 11 catches for 166 yards and three touchdowns against the Buccaneers and on Wednesday was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week.

He became the first tight end since Shannon Sharpe in 1996, and the fourth all-time, with at least 10 receptions, 150 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns in a game. Kellen Winslow and Todd Christensen each reached those standards in 1983 games.

Morris described Pitts’ role against Tampa Bay as the team’s No. 1 wideout. The challenge against the Cardinals may be for Pitts to retain a lead role if top wide receiver Drake London returns after missing four games with a knee injury. London returned to practice Wednesday but was listed as limited.

Before his injury, London was Atlanta’s dominant receiver. Despite missing four games, his 60 catches for 810 yards and six touchdowns still lead Atlanta’s wide receivers. His receiving yards still lead all players on the team.

Defensive doldrums

Arizona has given up at least 40 points four times during the team’s six-game losing streak, including in last week’s 40-20 loss to the Houston Texans. Gannon, who was defensive coordinator for the Eagles before he came to the desert, said the group’s biggest problem is a lack of consistency from play to play.

“I think just execution throughout 60 minutes collectively because it’s kind of hit or miss,” Gannon said. “When we’re on, we’re on and when we’re off, we’re off. One guy can’t be off.”

Gannon said the team’s offense and special teams have fed into the problem, with a handful of ill-timed turnovers and short drives that have kept the defense on the field for long stretches.

“I’m not defending the point thing, but complementary football goes into that too when you’re giving up that many points, so I think just as a team we have to do better,” the coach said.