Falcons Beat Cardinals, and Raheem Morris Might’ve Just Secured His Future - While Jonathan Gannon’s Slips Away
Raheem Morris has spent the better part of this season under a microscope, with every Falcons win or loss fueling speculation about whether he’d still be on the sidelines in 2026. But after Atlanta's 26-19 win over the Arizona Cardinals, it feels like the temperature on that seat just dropped a few degrees. And for good reason - the Falcons didn’t just grab a win, they may have helped clarify the coaching picture for two franchises heading in very different directions.
Let’s start with Morris. Atlanta’s performance wasn’t perfect, but it was the kind of gritty, balanced showing that can help a coach make his case.
The Falcons leaned on their ground game, with Bijan Robinson erupting for 168 scrimmage yards and Tyler Allgeier adding 79 more on the ground. That one-two punch was too much for a Cardinals defense that’s struggled all season to stop the run - and honestly, struggled to stop much of anything.
This win doesn’t just move the Falcons forward in the standings; it also strengthens Morris’ argument for a third season at the helm. He’s kept this team competitive, and when the offense clicks like it did Sunday, you can see the vision starting to take shape.
But while Morris may have bought himself more time, the same can’t be said for Jonathan Gannon in Arizona.
The Cardinals have now dropped seven straight games, falling to 3-12 on the year. And while injuries - especially to key players like Kyler Murray and James Conner - have certainly played a role, the overall picture under Gannon hasn’t been encouraging. He’s now 15-34 as Arizona’s head coach, and the regression this season is hard to ignore.
This was supposed to be a year where the Cardinals, with a healthy Murray and a new weapon in Marvin Harrison Jr., took a step forward. Instead, they’ve stumbled. And for a coach who built his reputation on defense, it’s been especially disappointing to see that side of the ball fail to deliver.
Let’s look at the numbers. Arizona’s total defense rankings under Gannon:
- 2023: 25th
- 2024: 21st
- 2025: 26th
That’s not just a lack of progress - it’s a step backward. And while there are bright spots on the roster - Josh Sweat has made an impact since arriving in free agency, and there are young players with potential - the production hasn’t followed. The Cardinals gave up chunk plays all afternoon against Atlanta, with Robinson slicing through the front seven and Allgeier consistently moving the chains.
For a franchise that had a top-half defense in both 2020 and 2021, the drop-off under Gannon is glaring. And that’s where the frustration likely lies for ownership.
The offense may be inconsistent, but the defense was supposed to be this team’s identity. Instead, it’s been a liability.
That contrast was on full display Sunday. While Atlanta leaned into its strengths and executed a smart, physical game plan, Arizona looked like a team still searching for answers - and not finding many.
So yes, Raheem Morris has faced his share of criticism this season. But when you stack up what he’s done in Atlanta against what Gannon has done in Arizona, the difference is stark.
Morris has kept his team fighting. Gannon’s squad looks like it’s running out of steam.
And in a league that moves fast and demands results, that might be the difference between getting another year and getting shown the door.