The Atlanta Falcons kept pace atop the NFC South with an impressive 29-18 win over the NFC West-leading Arizona Cardinals. Our takeaways:
- The Falcons have made a bad habit of blowing games this season, but they closed nicely against a Cardinals team that entered action at 9-2. This didn't feel like a fluke, either. The Falcons were the better team from the kickoff onward, showing great balance on offense while making life miserable for Drew Stanton.
- Hard truth time: The Cardinals are not a Super Bowl contender with Stanton at quarterback. Arizona has one offensive touchdown in 10 quarters, and their replacement for Carson Palmer is the main reason why. Stanton threw twointerceptions on Sunday and was lucky not to throw a few more. Bruce Arians has been relentless in his praise and defense of Stanton, but production is all that matters.
- Be careful what you wish for, Patrick Peterson. The Cardinals cornerback said last week that he wanted Julio Jones in one-on-one coverage. On Sunday, Peterson was torched by Jones, who racked up 10 receptions for a career-high 189 yards and a touchdown. Peterson can say he's the game's best cornerback all he wants: We've never seen Richard Sherman or Darrelle Revis dominated like this.
- Stanton wasn't helped by the fact that Arizona was playing short-handed on offense. Larry Fitzgerald missed his second consecutive game with a knee injury. Running back Andre Ellington injured his hip in the first half and did not return. When you don't have your best quarterback, running back or wide receiver on the field, scoring points isn't easy.
- Nobody runs on the Cardinals' defense -- nobody but Steven Jackson. The veteran running back turned back the clock with his first 100-yard game of the season (his first 100-yard game since Nov. 25, 2012). Jackson is the first Falcons rusher to surpass 100 yards in 35 games. That is not a typo.
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