ATLANTA – There were two cases of déjà vu on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, neither of which were positive for the Cardinals.
Falcons running back Tevin Coleman had a dominant ground outing, looking more like Jamal Anderson of late-90s Dirty Bird lore than a member of the team's anemic 2018 attack. The other familiar scene was a sullen Cardinals locker room as the players once again searched for answers.
Atlanta was last in the NFL in rushing coming into the game but Coleman had 11 carries for 145 yards and a touchdown in the 40-14 win. The Falcons finished with 215 yards on the ground and averaged 8.0 yards per carry.
"When you see how they've been not able to run the ball, and then they come in here and that happens – it's very frustrating," linebacker Haason Reddick said. "We've got to rally back together and try to figure this thing out."
The Cardinals had some high-profile run defense issues earlier this season but ironed them out enough to enter the game in the middle of the pack in yards per carry allowed. They will drop back down after Coleman's dominant showing, which included an early 65-yard scamper, a 43-yard touchdown run and another long score that was called back for an illegal block.
The holes were big for Coleman and missed tackles also contributed. Defensive end Markus Golden was asked if effort could have played a role in the issues once the score became lopsided.
"That better not be it," Golden said. "It better not be anybody giving up or quitting. That ain't who we are. That ain't what we do."
The Cardinals were aware of Atlanta's previous ground struggles and were hoping to make them continue. Even though quarterback Matt Ryan has put up big numbers this season, the lack of a running game was a big reason why the Falcons entered with just four wins.
The plan to make the Falcons one-dimensional never materialized.
"They struggled the last couple of weeks running the football, and we knew what they were going to do in the passing game," coach Steve Wilks said. "We've got to do a much better job. All that starts with me."
While Wilks took responsibility for the blowout loss multiple times, Golden felt like it came down to execution.
"The coaches are coaching us up to do our job," Golden said. "We aren't getting out there and doing our job, finishing plays off like we need to. For the coaches, man. Those guys come in and put in a lot of work. We've got to do our job better. This run defense, this game, it's on us."
AMERSON, BARKSDALE SUFFER INJURIES
Cornerback David Amerson took a hit to the head early in the game and never returned. He is being evaluated for a possible concussion, Wilks said. Former third-round pick Brandon Williams took over as the No. 2 cornerback for the rest of the game.
Recently-signed cornerbacks Quinten Rollins and Dontae Johnson were both inactive. Wilks wanted to reserve comment on Williams' performance until after he watches the tape.
Right tackle Joe Barksdale left the game in the waning minutes, also with a possible concussion, Wilks said. Will Holden took his place the rest of the way.
Images from the Week 15 contest in Atlanta
FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, file photo, Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones (45) runs back to the bench after he returned an interception for touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Atlanta. When healthy, Jones is a big-time playmaker the Falcons defense has sorely lacked. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)
FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, file photo, Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks gestures during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta. Mired at the bottom of the NFL standings with two weeks to go in the season, the Cardinals go back to work on the practice field as they prepare to host te Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. (AP Photo/John Amis, File)
FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, file photo, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) warms up before the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta. Mired at the bottom of the NFL standings with two weeks to go in the season, the Cardinals go back to work on the practice field as they prepare to host te Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. (AP Photo/John Amis, File)
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Markus Golden (44) sacks Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman (26) breaks away from Arizona Cardinals free safety Antoine Bethea (41) as he scores on a pass from Matt Ryan during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) makes a catch as Atlanta Falcons defensive back Sharrod Neasman (41) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) is sacked by Atlanta Falcons defensive end Bruce Irvin (52) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
QB Mike Glennon passes in the fourth quarter against the Falcons
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) talk after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta. The Falcons won 40-14.
Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman (26) fends off Arizona Cardinals free safety Antoine Bethea (41) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman (26) leaps into the end zone as he scores on a pass from Matt Ryan during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Trent Sherfield (16) makes the catch against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Robert Alford (23) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Atlanta Falcons running back Ito Smith (25) runs against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Brian Poole (34) intercepts a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (12) is brought down by Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker (36) after a catch during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich (left) speaks with QB Mike Glennon (right)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Brian Poole (34) recovered a fumble as Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Korey Cunningham defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald unleashes an epic truck stop in the fourth quarter
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (97) prepares to cause a fumble against Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Atlanta Falcons running back Ito Smith (25) runs against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Marvin Hall (17) fends off Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker (36) after a catch during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Cardinals WR Trent Sherfield scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) falls into the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson on the punt return in the second half against the Falcons
Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman (26) runs as Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tre Boston (33) makes the tackle during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) works out of the pocket against Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tre Boston (33) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
RB David Johnson on a carry in the second half against the Falcons
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals defensive end Markus Golden (44) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) works in the pocket against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) makes a touchdown catch against Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Larry Fitzgerald
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) falls short of the goal line against Atlanta Falcons strong safety Damontae Kazee (27) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks speaks to field judge Rick Patterson (15) during the first half of an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
RB David Johnson with the 40-yard reception in the first quarter
Cardinals QB Josh Rosen is sacked
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones (45) runs back to the bench after he intercepted the ball and ran it in for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
DE Markus Golden sacks Falcons QB Matt Ryan
RB David Johnson crosses the goal line for a touchdown in the first quarter
WR Larry Fitzgerald with the catch
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals defensive end Markus Golden (44) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) makes a catch as Arizona Cardinals defensive back David Amerson (38) defends in the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) warms up before the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons , Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) warms up before the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Atlanta.
The Cardinals prepare to run out of the tunnel at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Cardinals fans in the stands before the game
Josh Rosen during pregame warm ups
RB David Johnson arrives for the game
CB Patrick Peterson arrives for the game
WR Larry Fitzgerald arrives for the game
Cardinals fans in the stands
