Bouncing Back

Published Sep. 15, 2010 2:15 p.m. ET

foxsports

By John Manasso
FoxSportsSouth.com

As the Falcons regroup for an offensive performance in their season opener in which they failed to land in the end zone, they can take heart in several factors.

For one, the Arizona Cardinals' defense, while a 3-4 scheme like the Steelers' with some excellent players to be sure, is not the same caliber as Pittsburgh's. The Cardinals ranked 20th in the NFL in total defense last season (one spot, it should be noted, above the Falcons, although both teams allowed 20.3 points per game).

Last week, the Cardinals allowed 325 yards against St. Louis and rookie quarterback Sam Bradford, who was making his first NFL start. In fact, if safety Adrian Wilson (the NFC defensive player of the week with two interceptions and a sack) had not blocked the field goal, the Cardinals might be entering 0-1 like the Falcons.