Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is getting ready for a chess match with Arizona defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.
“Well, they’ve done a great job of playing to their system regardless of who’s been in there,” Ryan said. “They’re missing some of the guys that have been really productive for them in the past, but the guys that have filled in have played well within the scheme. They put pressure on you with the scheme.”
In Bowles’ first year in Arizona, the Cardinals had the NFL’s 6th ranked defense and No. 1 ranked run defense. They allowed the fewest rushing yards in team history for a 16-game season (1,351 yards), had 47.0 sacks (3rd in team history) and 30 takeaways (tied for 6th in NFL), including 20 interceptions (5th in NFL).
Currently, the Cardinals are giving 339.1 yards per game, which ranks tied for 2nd in the league. They are giving up 84.5 yards rushing per game (3rd) and 254.6 yards passing per game (25th).
They are giving up 17.7 points per game, which is tied for second and have a plus-10 turnover differential, which ranks third in the league.
Ryan threw three interception agianst the Cardinals last season.
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