Cardinals vs. Falcons preview: Stats, history, connections and milestones

The Arizona Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons play one another in a matchup between two first place teams. You could also look at it as a 9-2 team facing a 4-7 team on the road. It is both.

Let's look at the matchup and see what we can find.

Stats:

Atlanta scores a little more than the Cardinals this season. Arizona averages 21.8 points per game, which is good for 18th in the league. Atlanta averages 23.8 points, which is 12th.

In terms of yards, Atlanta gains over 362 per game, good for 12th overall. Arizona gains over 321 per game, which is 25th. On the ground, Arizona is 31st, gaining under 79 yards per game. Atlanta isn't much better, gaining just over 93, which is 26th. Through the air. Arizona gains over 242 yards, which is 15th. The Falcons throw for almost 270, which is seventh overall.

Defensively, Arizona is second in points allowed, giving up an average of just under 18 points per game. The Falcons are 22nd, giving up 22 per game. Arizona allows only about 84 yards per game on the ground. That is third-best in the NFL. Atlanta gives up almost 126, which is 24th. Atlanta is dead last in passing defense, giving up over 284 yards per game. Arizona is 25th against the pass, allowing over 254 yards.

Overall, Arizona's defense allows 339 yards per game -- 11th overall. Atlanta gives up almost 410 -- last in the league.

Arizona is +10 with turnovers. Atlanta is +4.

History:

Arizona leads the all-time series 15-12, but is 6-10 in Atlanta. They played for the first time in 1966. Arizona beat Atlanta in Arizona last season 27-13.  Arizona has not won in Atlanta since 1994.

Connections:

Arizona has no former Falcons players. Atlanta has cornerback Javier Arenas. He was Arizona's primary kick returner last season.

Milestones:

Andre Ellington's only 100-yard rushing game came against Atlanta last season. He could do it for a second time against Atlanta's 24th-ranked rush defense.

If Alex Okafor gets a sack, he will have done so in four straight games. It would be the fifth-longest streak in team history.

Larry Fitzgerald is still looking for touchdown reception number 90. If he gets 59 receiving yards, he would pass Derrick Mason and Hines Ward on the all-time list, putting him 22nd all time.

If Rashad Johnson picks off a pass, it would be the third straight game against the Falcons he would have an interception. It would also set a career high for a season. He has three so far.

A John Brown touchdown reception would give him six on the season. He would join Anquan Boldin and Gern Nagler as the only rookies to have six TD catches in the first 12 games of the season.

A win would give the Cardinals their 10th of the season. It would only be the eighth time in team history to reach that. It would be the third time since coming to Arizona and the first time since 1975-76 getting 10 wins in two consecutive seasons.