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Cardinals look to close strong

Dec 23, 2007 - 11:21 AM Atlanta (3-11) at Arizona (6-8) 4:05 pm EST

GLENDALE, Arizona (Ticker) -- Once again out of the playoff race, the Arizona Cardinals can now shoot for a rare .500 season.

The Cardinals hope to avoid a third straight loss Sunday, when they host the reeling Atlanta Falcons.

Since moving to the desert in 1988, the Cardinals have only finished at .500 or better twice - going 8-8 in 1994 and 9-7 four years later.

To break even this season, the Cardinals need wins over the Falcons and St. Louis Rams in their final two games, which is a distinct possibility since those teams are a combined 6-22.

After evening their record at 6-6, the Cardinals have allowed a combined 73 points the last two weeks in losses to the Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints.

Last week, Kurt Warner threw for three touchdowns as the Cards endured a 31-24 setback at New Orleans.

It has been a miserable season for the Falcons, who saw first-year coach Bobby Petrino walk away from the franchise last week to take the job at the University of Arkansas.

In their first game under interim coach Emmitt Thomas, the Falcons were lifeless, suffering a 37-3 drubbing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Atlanta has lost five straight games - all by double figures.

Showing their ineptitude, the Falcons only managed 133 total yards and five first downs against the Buccaneers.

Chris Redman, who was making his second start, completed a woeful 4-of-15 passes for 34 yards and two interceptions.