The Atlanta Falcons hold a 10-point lead at the break in their NFL clash against the Arizona Cardinals with the score at 20-10 in the Georgia Dome.
© Getty Images
The Falcons took the lead in the game as Steven Jackson reeled off a huge run for the home side, which took them down to the one-yard line. The Cardinals made a good stand on the first three plays, but Mike Smith's men got into the endzone when Matt Ryan found Levine Toilolo.
Atlanta thought that they had extended their advantage when Devin Hester returned a punt 60 yards for a touchdown, but he was flagged for a facemask penalty on punter Drew Butler. The visitors made another stand on the goalline, and forced a 20-yard field goal as Matt Bryant fired the ball through the posts.
Matters got even better for Smith's side when Dwight Lowery intercepted a pass from Drew Stanton, which allowed their offense back on the field and Ryan fired deep for Julio Jones, who made the catch for the touchdown on a 32-yard play over Patrick Peterson.
However, the Cardinals hit back in the second quarter when Ryan was intercepted by Rashad Johnson. The safety found a crease in the defense and ran the ball all the way back to the endzone for an 88-yard score.
Arizona chipped away at the Falcons' lead, bringing themselves within seven points as Stanton moved his side downfield and Chandler Catanzaro kicked a 44-yard field goal.
Just before the break, the Falcons restored a 10-point lead when Ryan led them into field-goal range and Bryant converted a 23-yard kick.
Simon Sinclair
