To help quarterback Drew Stanton, the Cardinals know they must improve their rushing offense.
They’ll try to get things moving against linebacker Paul Worrilow and the Falcons’ run defense, which will be on the hot seat at 4:05 p.m. Sunday in the Georgia Dome.
The Falcons gave up 162 yards last week to the Cleveland Browns and are giving up 125.8 yards rushing per game, which ranked 24th in the 32-team NFL.
The Falcons have given up more than 100 yards in seven games this season and more than 120 yards in four games.
Last season, Arizona running back Andre Ellington rushed for 154 yards on 15 carries in a 27-13 victory over the Falcons. Last week, Seattle held Ellington to 24 yards on 10 carries and Stanton, who’s playing for the injured Carson Palmer, was ineffective.
Also, the Cardinals could play without their top receiving weapon, star wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who was out last week with a sprained knee.
The Cardinals signed running back Michael Bush last week, but the Falcons anticipate a heavy dose of Ellington, a former Clemson standout.
“It’s going to be important to keep him under control,” Worrilow said. “He’s a guy that can take one to the house real quick on us.”
Ellington has rushed for 648 yards on 196 carries (3.3 yards per carry) and has three rushing touchdowns. He’s the 12th leading rusher in the league and has the Falcons’ attention.
“He’s a big threat,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said.
Smaller backs such as Ellington (5-foot-9, 199 pounds) have caused the Falcons problems this season running outside the tackles.
