The Falcons lost track of Will Fuller on Sunday against the Texans, and he killed them with 14 catches for 217 yards and three touchdowns.
If they get misconfigured on the back end of the defense against the great Larry Fitzgerald, things will get ugly fast when the Falcons (1-4) seek to rebound against the Cardinals (1-3-1) at 4:05 p.m. Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Fitzgerald, 36, who’s in his 16th season, will be the X-Factor in this game. He’s an 11-time Pro Bowler and has been selected All-Pro once. He’s caught more than 100 passes in four seasons of his illustrious career that will certainly land him a jacket and a spot in Canton, Ohio.
While some focus on quarterback Kyler Murray and the Arizona Air Raid offense that Kliff Kingsbury has brought to the NFL, Falcons coach Dan Quinn is concerned about Fitzgerald.
“Larry (Fitzgerald) is still the catalyst for it in terms of receiver and where we’re at,” Quinn said. “(Christian) Kirk has always been a factor there a lot of times in the slot and can make a difference in that way. The interior part of that, the slots, the running back, the quarterback, they’ve got a lot of production out of those positions already this season.”
Falcons cornerback Isaiah Oliver was born in Goodyear, Arizona, and earned first-team All-State and All-Section honors as a senior at Brophy Prep in Phoenix, watched Fitzgerald as a youngster.
“I remember going to the Cardinals games and watching Larry Fitzgerald,” Oliver said. “He’s definitely a guy that’s been around a long time, does things the right way and plays at a high level every year. It will be cool to go against him.”
Fitzgerald leads the Cardinals with 29 receptions for 354 yards and two touchdowns. He still has his speed, as he’s broken free for a 54-yard gain and must be considered dangerous.
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