5 things we learned from the Falcons’ victory against the Cardinals

The Falcons (6-9) will need to step it up when they face the powerful Rams (11-4) at 8:15 p.m. Dec. 29 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Here are the five things we learned from the victory over the lowly Cardinals (3-12), who have lost seven in a row:

1. Robinson continues to dazzle

Robinson amassed 171 yards from scrimmage and joined Jamal Anderson (1998) and William Andrews (1981 and 1983) as the only backs in franchise history to post more than 2,000 scrimmage yards in a season.

Anderson’s season helped power the Falcons to the Super Bowl.

Andrews’ 1981 team was 7-9 and finished in second place in the division and 7-9 in 1983, which left them in fourth place.

So, the yards are nice, but the offense needs more help in particular on third downs and in short-yardage situations.

“It was one of things where you kind of keep playing,” Robinson said. “A lot of things started opening up in the run game and the pass game as well.”

On his three-play touchdown drive, Robinson slipped by a linebacker and ran through the secondary for a 41-yard gain. He then powered off left tackle for 11 yards. The befuddled Cardinals left him open on a swing pass out to the right that he took the final 13 yards for a touchdown.

“He’s even more craftier in practice,” Pitts said. “Just to see him try different things is good to see. To play beside him is great. I’m very happy for him.”

2. Struggles continue on the offense line

How can the Falcons look so lethal on one drive, the three-play Bijan special, and then look so pitiful in short-yardage situations with the game on the line?

It’s the ghost of center Drew Dalman, who took less money to leave to sign with the Bears. He was a powerful run blocker in combination with guards Chris Lindstrom and Matthew Bergeron.

The Falcons’ interior was stuffed on the third-and-2. On fourth-and-inches, the Falcons ran into each other on a play that shouldn’t happen in the 15th game of the season.

Good luck to Dalman (and Grady Jarrett) and the Bears, who are headed to the playoffs for the first time since 2020.

3. Highs and lows in third-down situations remain

Cousins and the Falcons were doing well on third downs in the first half. They were 5-of-8 for a whopping 62.5%. They finished 7-of-14 (50%).

Converting on third downs has been an issue all season for the Falcons. The Falcons have been over 50% in only three games. They were 64.3% against the Colts for a season-high Oct. 12.

The Falcons have converted 33.3% of their third downs this season, which ranks tied for 29th in the NFL.

“I just know that we were able to move the ball effectively, get the ball into the red zone,” Morris said when asked about third downs. “The guys did a nice job, Kyle Pitts in particular. He was absolutely outstanding.”

4. Secondary depth needs to recover

The Falcons already were without cornerback Mike Hughes and nickel back Billy Bowman Jr.

The Falcons started undrafted rookie Cobee Bryant and ended the game with C.J. Henderson, who was signed from the practice squad Saturday, as the No. 1 corner.

A.J. Terrell left the game late, but he played 53 of 57 defensive snaps.

With quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Rams coming to town, the Falcons’ secondary will need to recover quickly.

Henderson, the ninth overall pick in the 2020 draft by Jacksonville, played 37 defensive snaps (65%). Bryant played 24 snaps (42%) before giving way to Henderson.

The Falcons did a good job of containing Cardinals tight end Trey McBride. He caught 4 of 8 targets for 27 yards.

“We definitely had a focus, and he’s definitely the game wrecker for this football team,” Morris said. “We wanted to go out there and really focus our energy on McBride, but that’s no excuse (giving up yards in the run game). We have got to play better in the run game, and we will.”

5. Wondering what could have been

The Falcons are in third place in the NFC South after winning two games.

The division was available for the taking again this season, but the Panthers, who beat the Falcons twice, have a one-game lead over the Bucs with two games to play.

After winning back-to-back games for the second time this season, the Falcons are left to wonder what could have been if they executed late in games against the 49ers, Colts, Panthers and Patriots.

If they’d split those games, they’d be tied with the Panthers at 8-7. If they swept those four games, they’d be 10-6 and getting ready for the playoffs.

“I think even in February you will think about that, too,” quarterback Kirk Cousins said. “Right now, (I’m) kind of more just in the here and now with this day. It is a good group though, too, at the same time where you felt like — it’s a resilient group. People aren’t pointing fingers.”

The Falcons had a chance to knock out the Cardinals, but they let them hang around.

“When you’re in the fourth quarter, and it’s not all perfect, everybody’s responding well,” Cousins said. “I remember even last week — I made a comment that was less than positive on the sideline, and (safety) Jessie Bates III came over and said, ‘Hey, keep your head (up). Stay positive.’ He wouldn’t let me go negative even though I wanted to.”

The Falcons will show up to battle the Rams and the Saints in an attempt to close this disjointed season on a high note.

“Jessie’s not going to let me go in the tank,” Cousins said. “You kind of felt that again (against the Cardinals) late in the game that someone’s going to make a play.”

Henderson saved them with the interception with 1:30 to play.