Arizona Cardinals (9-2) at Atlanta Falcons (4-7)

Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, at Georgia Dome, Atlanta – TV: FOX

*TV announcers: Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch, Pam Oliver

*Keys to the game: This is not going to be an old-school ground-and-pound slugfest. The Cardinals enter with the league’s 31st-ranked ground game at 78.4 yards per carry, while the Falcons are only a notch better at No. 26 (93.1), while faced with the daunting task of dealing with Arizona’s third-ranked run defense.

The Cardinals face a bit of a dilemma with RB Andre Ellington averaging a mere 3.3 yards per carry and little in the way of other options until recently signed Michael Bush gets up to speed. Forced to move the ball through the air, QB Drew Stanton has thrown three interceptions against no touchdowns in his past seven quarters. But the opportunity for a breakthrough game is there against the Falcons’ last-ranked pass defense – although much hinges on the availability of WR Larry Fitzgerald (knee).

Establishing the ground game is far more critical for the Falcons. QB Matt Ryan already struggles to stretch the field behind a makeshift offensive line, and the Cardinals bring an aggressive and creative blitzing team that racked up seven sacks last week – against a Seattle offense that knows Arizona’s scheme as well as any team in the league.

*Matchup to watch – Cardinals FS Rashad Johnson vs. Falcons QB Matt Ryan: Ryan has thrown nine interceptions in the past two meetings, with Johnson on the receiving end of three of those picks.

*Player spotlight – Falcons S William Moore: Moore is set to return after missing seven games due to a shoulder injury. He would replace second-year safety Kemal Ishmael, and Atlanta’s last-ranked defense would receive a big boost with Moore’s experience back in the lineup.

*Fast facts: Cardinals DE Calais Campbell has five sacks in his past three games, and is the first lineman in team history to have six-plus sacks in six different seasons. … The Falcons have allowed 100-plus rushing yards seven times this season, and 120-plus in four games.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

The Falcons won’t get much going against the Cardinals’ strong run defense, and Arizona’s exotic blitz packages magnify Atlanta’s issues up front – making for a welcomed post-game ice bath for Ryan.

*Our pick: Cardinals 26-16