FOOTBALL: Cards, Falcons riding backup QBs down stretch of frustrating seasons

Neither the Atlanta Falcons nor the Arizona Cardinals have lived up to expectations as the NFL season winds down.

When the teams meet Sunday in Glendale, Arizona, both will also be relying on quarterbacks they did not envision leading them at this stage of the campaign.

Atlanta (5-9) is being guided by veteran Kirk Cousins, who is making his sixth start of the season after rookie Michael Penix Jr. suffered a season-ending partially torn ACL on Nov. 16. The 37-year-old Cousins is playing out what could be his final games with the franchise as the Falcons prepare to miss the postseason for an eighth straight year.

“Any time you get the chance to play, it’s an opportunity,” Cousins said. “You feel like you need to play at a level that justifies you being out there. It’s a privilege to be on the field.”

Cousins delivered one of his best performances of the season on Dec. 11, throwing for 373 yards and three touchdowns to lead Atlanta to a 29-28 comeback victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Arizona (3-11), meanwhile, will again turn to Jacoby Brissett, who is expected to make his 10th start since Kyler Murray was sidelined with a foot injury. The 33-year-old Brissett has been a stabilizing presence for a Cardinals team enduring another difficult season.

“Brissett has been doing this for a long time in this league and is the ultimate pro,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris said. “He’s a really good football player and always has been.”

The Falcons have struggled historically on the road against Arizona, losing five straight games in Glendale, including a wild-card playoff matchup in January 2009. Atlanta is seeking its first road win in the series since Sept. 30, 2001.

Arizona will miss the postseason for the ninth time in the past 10 years and has recorded double-digit losses for the third time in four seasons. Amid uncertainty surrounding Murray’s future, Brissett is focused on ending the Cardinals’ six-game losing streak and securing their first home win since a five-point victory over the Carolina Panthers in Week 2.

“At some point, you just want it to stop,” Brissett said. “It gets hard, but you rely on the guys in the locker room and trust the process.”

A loss would match Arizona’s longest single-season skid since the team dropped seven straight games to close the 2022 season. Head coach Jonathan Gannon, who holds a 15-33 record in nearly three seasons, said he remains focused on the task at hand.

“There’s no pitch to ownership,” Gannon said. “I’m concentrating on Atlanta. It’s my job to evaluate what’s working and what’s not.”

Atlanta could receive a boost with the possible return of leading receiver Drake London, who has missed four games with a knee injury and is listed as day-to-day after limited practice participation. Cornerback Mike Hughes (ankle) and edge rusher Leonard Floyd (illness) did not practice Wednesday.

Arizona’s injury list remains lengthy. Left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. (knee) and safety Jalen Thompson (hamstring) have been ruled out, while cornerbacks Darren Hall (concussion) and Max Melton (heel) did not practice. Rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., sidelined the past two games with a heel injury, was limited in practice. -Field Level Media/Reuters