GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Atlanta Falcons (6-9) picked up their second consecutive victory on Sunday, holding off the Arizona Cardinals (3-12) for a hard-fought 26-19 road win at State Farm Stadium.
Despite falling behind 10-0 early, Atlanta rallied behind strong performances from Kirk Cousins, Bijan Robinson, and Kyle Pitts to improve to 6-9 on the season.
Falcons Come Back To Beat Arizona
While playoff hopes are long gone, the Falcons showed resilience and flashed potential heading into the final weeks. Here are five key takeaways from the victory over the Cards.
1. Bijan Robinson Makes Franchise History in His Home State
Bijan Robinson put on a show in Arizona, his home state, racking up over 170 yards from scrimmage (including a touchdown reception) to surpass 2,000 yards from scrimmage for the season. This milestone makes him just the third Falcon ever to hit that mark, joining legends William Andrews (1981 and 1983) and Jamal Anderson (1998).
Robinson’s explosive plays, including big runs and catches, were the engine of the offense. He’s proving week after week why he’s one of the most dynamic backs in the league — and a building block for the future.
2. Kirk Cousins Bounces Back with Multi-TD Performance
After some uneven stretches this season, Kirk Cousins delivered when it mattered most, throwing for two touchdowns and adding a rushing score on a QB sneak. He went 21-of-35 despite an early interception that put Atlanta in a hole.
Cousins spread the ball effectively, connecting with his playmakers and managing the game in the second half. This kind of veteran poise is exactly what the Falcons need as they evaluate the quarterback position moving forward.
3. Kyle Pitts Is Heating Up at the Perfect Time
Tight end Kyle Pitts continued his recent surge, hauling in key catches — including a touchdown — and converting multiple third downs. Pitts was a matchup nightmare for the Cardinals, and his chemistry with Cousins is clicking.
With four TD catches in the last two games, Pitts is reminding everyone of his elite potential. If he finishes the season strong, it could silence some of the trade rumors and solidify him as a core piece.
4. Defense Steps Up in Crunch Time
The Falcons’ defense bent but didn’t break, limiting Arizona’s high-powered tight end Trey McBride to just a handful of catches and forcing missed field goals from the Cardinals. Rookie Brandon Dorlus notched a big sack, and the unit as a whole pressured backup QB Jacoby Brissett.
The game-sealer came from cornerback C.J. Henderson, who picked off Brissett late in the fourth quarter to ice the win — his first interception since 2022. In a season full of defensive struggles, these opportunistic plays are encouraging signs.
5. Third-Down Efficiency and Red-Zone Execution Win Games
Atlanta entered the game ranked near the bottom in third-down conversions but flipped the script, going 7-of-14 (a season-high 50%). Much of that success came through Pitts and the passing game.
The Falcons also went 3-for-3 in the red zone, while Arizona struggled mightily inside the 20. Small details like these turned a potential loss into a victory, showing growth under head coach Raheem Morris even in a lost season.
The Falcons return home for a Monday night matchup against the surging Los Angeles Rams in Week 17. With pride on the line, Atlanta will look to build on this momentum and spoil some playoff hopes. Rise Up!
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