The Atlanta Falcons retained the lead in the NFC South on Sunday and sent the Arizona Cardinals to their second straight loss in the process.
The Atlanta Falcons finally beat someone outside of the NFC South.
Matt Ryan threw for 361 yards and two touchdowns and Steven Jackson had 101 yards on the ground as the Falcons (5-7) retained their lead in the much-maligned NFC South with a 29-18 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Arizona (9-3) lost their second straight game after a 9-1 start.
Atlanta had been 0-7 in non-divisional games before Sunday.
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Arizona retained the top spot in the NFC despite the loss.
The Falcons jumped on the Cardinals, scoring 17 unanswered points in the first quarter. Levine Toilolo caught a 1-yard touchdown pass from Ryan to open the scoring.
Matt Bryant booted a 20-yard field goal to make it 10-0 and on Arizona’s next possession, Drew Stanton was picked off by Dwight Lowery. One play later, Ryan threw deep down the left side for a 32-yard touchdown to Julio Jones.
Arizona came back, getting an 88-yard touchdown on an interception return from Rashad Johnson. Chandler Catanzaro kicked a 44-yard field goal late in the half to make it 17-10, but Ryan got the Falcons into position for a 23-yard boot from Bryant at the gun.
Bryant kicked three more field goals in the second half as Atlanta opened a 29-10 lead.
Stanton did connect for a 3-yard touchdown pass to Stepfan Taylor with 1:05 to go, but Harry Douglas scooped up the onside kick attempt and two kneel-downs by Ryan killed the clock.
Stanton finished 24-for-39 for 294 yards, but was picked off twice. The Cardinals had three turnovers on the day.
Jones had a huge day with 189 yards and a touchdown on 10 catches and Douglas finished with 116 yards on nine receptions.
The Falcons will visit the Packers next Monday night, while Arizona goes home to host the Kansas City Chiefs.
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