Falcons Wire’s Matt Urben gives fans insight to the Cardinals’ Week 16 opponent — the Falcons.

The Arizona Cardinals‘ final home game of the season is on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. They kick off from State Farm Stadium at 4:05 p.m. ET, and the game airs on FOX.

The Cardinals last played the Falcons in 2023, beating them 25-23 at home in Kyler Murray’s first game back from a torn ACL.

This time around, it is Jacoby Brissett at quarterback for the Cardinals, while Kirk Cousins is at the helm for Atlanta after Michael Penix Jr. tore his ACL and saw his season end.

To help preview this game, Falcons Wire managing editor Matt Urben takes Cardinals fans behind enemy lines and answers a few questions about the Cardinals’ Week 16 opponent.

The Falcons’ 2025 season

What has happened with the Falcons this year?

Going back to Week 1, the Falcons have had issues in all three phases of the game. The team’s inconsistency on offense, lack of timely stops on defense, and constant special-teams blunders have caused another season to go to waste. Injuries haven’t exactly helped things, either. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. tore his ACL in Week 11 and wide receiver Drake London has been banged up all year.

The Atlanta offense and Kyle Pitts

What can we expect from the Atlanta offense this weekend? Can Kyle Pitts be “him” again?

Pitts has been on an incredible tear over the last three games (24 catches, 338 yards, 3 touchdowns), but Drake London’s return may put an end to this run in Week 16. London has missed the past month due to a PCL strain but still leads the team in receiving yards (810) this season. Nonetheless, Pitts has established himself as a reliable option for QB Kirk Cousins and should still be involved in the game plan.

The Atlanta defense

What do the Falcons do well and not so well defensively?

Defensively, the Falcons have been good at generating pressure. The team’s two rookie edge rushers have combined for 13.5 sacks this season, which is a welcome change from what we’ve seen over the last several years. The secondary has been good at times but inconsistent overall.  In general, the team has given up way too many big plays late in games. Plus, the Falcons’ run defense has average at best this season.

Big matchups

Which matchups will you be watching on Sunday?

The matchup to watch is Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell versus Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison. Terrell is one of the more underrated players in the entire league. Atlanta has ruled out No. 2 cornerback Mike Hughes for Sunday’s game, though, leaving undrafted free agent Cobee Bryant to fill in. With that in mind, Cardinals receiver Michael Wilson could be in for a big day.

Game picks

What is your prediction for the game? Who wins?

This is the kind of game that Atlanta has typically lost under head coach Raheem Morris. It depends on which Falcons team shows up on Sunday. Will it be the Falcons who beat the Buffalo Bills in prime time, or the Falcons who lost to the lowly New York Jets? I expect a close game with Atlanta doing just enough to escape with a narrow victory. Falcons 23, Cardinals 21

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