Falcons vs. Cardinals review: A Bobby Massie sighting and Calais Campbell crushes it according to PFF

With authority, the Arizona Cardinals took down the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday, 27-13. The only reason the Falcons scored late in the contest to pull within two touchdowns is because of a terrible pass-interference penalty called on rookie defensive back Tyrann Mathieu -- that is how dominant the defense was.

Many Cardinals players showed dominance over Atlanta, but some unfortunately still struggled. Most who gave disappointing performances are the same players who disappoint every week, starters and backups, alike.

Here is how ProFootballFocus.com graded some key players from Sunday's beat-down of the Falcons.

Offense

LG Daryn Colledge (+2.8)

Almost weekly, this piece features left guard Daryn Colledge because of a high grade. Once again, he did not allow a single quarterback pressure, marking the third game this season he has pulled off that feat.

Colledge is one of five offensive guards to start eight games this season without allowing a sack. He is the fourth-rated guard overall, at a +8.9 grade, and is the No. 2 left guard directly behind Evan Mathis of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Against the Falcons, Colledge was a master at run-blocking, earning the bulk of his grade with a +2.1. He provided key blocks on two of Andre Ellington's longest runs, the 80-yard touchdown in the second quarter, and a 22-yard scamper just before Carson Palmer hit Teddy Williams deep downfield.

RT Bobby Massie (+1.2)

In his first action of the season, right tackle Bobby Massie played in relief of starter Eric Winston and played well. He earned a positive grade in both run- and pass-blocking and was on the field for two scoring drives -- the first touchdown drive that ended with a Palmer-to-Larry Fitzgerald connection and one that resulted in a Jay Feely field goal in the third quarter.

Massie played 22 of 56 snaps (39.3%) and earned a better grade than Winston did (-0.2), who played 34 of 56 snaps (60.7%).

C Lyle Sendlein (-3.2)

Veteran center Lyle Sendlein had a rare poor performance last Sunday. He allowed his first sack of the season and earned his lowest run-blocking grade of the season (-1.5).

He also had two penalties called on him, which is rare for Sendlein. The former undrafted free agent out of the University of Texas and Chaparral High School now has 17 penalties called on him in five-plus seasons -- three this season after just one in each of the past two seasons.

Defense

DE Calais Campbell (+6.4)

2013 has been an up-and-down season for defensive end Calais Campbell. He was way up last Sunday, but his +6.4 grade is not his highest of the season. That was a +6.7 effort during a Week 5 home victory against the Carolina Panthers.

Against the Falcons, Campbell notched five tackles, two tackles for loss and two batted passes as well as two hits and a sack of quarterback Matt Ryan.

What truly made his performance great, however, is this reaction out of pure frustration against Falcons backup center Joe Hawley:

For a soft-spoken teddy bear, Campbell is not one to fool with, clearly.

ILB Daryl Washington (+3.7)

Daryl Washington was all over the field last Sunday. Though he recorded only six tackles, he did more for his teammates by redirecting run plays and batting away passes (three, in fact) to keep Ryan and Co. at bay.

Washington also picked off Ryan in the third quarter. His interception began a string of three consecutive possessions that ended with a pick of the Pro Bowl quarterback.

Here is his play-of-the-game-nominated interception, in case you missed it:

CB Jerraud Powers (-4.7)

The sad thing about being the No. 2 cornerback this season for Jerraud Powers is that he is still the No. 2 cornerback. He had a decent game if not for Ryan thoroughly torching him in coverage.

His -5.2 grade in coverage is by far his worst of the season. In fact, it is by far the worst of his entire career.

Ryan targeted him 15 times and completed 10 of them for 114 yards. Atlanta receivers Drew Davis and Darius Johnson burned him multiple times, doing most of the damage. They combined for seven receptions for 93 yards against Powers.

At what point does coordinator Todd Bowles recognize Powers is the weak link in the secondary and go a different route, say, with Antoine Cason?

*****

Note: This Sunday, Nov. 3, at 3:00 p.m., head coach Bruce Arians will host the inaugural Putt Putt 4 Purpose charity event benefiting the Arians Family Foundation. It will be held at Golfland in Mesa and will feature Arians and a host of players, including Carson Palmer, Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu, Darnell Dockett and more.

A limited number of tickets are available to the public. To purchase, please email John Swidzinski at john@cmpr.net.