Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons: Live updates, score, analysis in NFL Week 17

Another late score doomed the Cardinals.

For the third time in a little over a month, a score in the closing seconds of regulation for the opponent changed the Cardinals fate, from what was a possible win to another crushing loss. That's six in a row after a 20-19 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

Younghoe Koo's short field goal, after the Cardinals couldn't stop the Falcons from driving down the field to get in position to win down by two points, ended another frustrating day for Arizona.

The Los Angeles Chargers scored a touchdown and won the game with a two-point conversion in the final seconds. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers forced overtime after the Cardinals led by 10 in the fourth quarter and won the game. And Sunday, the Falcons wore down the Cardinals' defense in the end and won at home.

Quarterback David Blough, in his first start since joining the team a little more than two weeks ago, was 24 for 40 for 222 yards with a touchdown. The Cardinals had more players go down with injuries, most notably running backs James Conner.

One more game to play at San Francisco next week. And then this season is mercifully over.

Prater-bomb from 57

The Cardinals faced a fourth-and-long with under six minutes to play and the ball at the Atlanta 39. They turned to Matt Prater, one of the NFL's best kickers from long distance in league history, and Prater delivered from 57 yards to give the Cardinals a 19-17 lead.

Can the Cardinals hang on?

Falcons re-take lead, Conner out for now

The Falcons finished a 41-yard drive with a field goal to take 17-16 lead, after stopping the Cardinals on downs. It could have been worse for Arizona, as Atlanta had a touchdown but rookie Christian Matthew somehow forced Cordarelle Patterson to lose the ball in the end zone as he hit the ground after the catch.

Of more concern, James Conner is out of the game with a shin injury, and Corey Clement, who couldn't get that aforementioned fourth down conversion, is in at running back.

Prater wide left

The Cardinals missed a chance to take bigger lead when Greg Dortch stumbled and couldn't catch up to David Blough's pass for him on third down. Then Matt Prater, who'd made three field goals already Sunday, missed wide left from 43 yards. Could have been a five-point lead for the Cardinals at least, but their defense has played well in the second half.

Still 16-14, Cardinals on top, 4:01 to go in the third.

Looking at a replay, low snap from new long snapper Hunter Bradley, who is in his first game only a few days after being signed to the practice squad and being elevated to active roster on Saturday. It's been a rough day for Bradley, who appeared to miss a block when the Falcons blocked a punt earlier in the game.

Prater is 3-for-3

Matt Prater added a 36-yard field goal, his second from that distance and third of the game, to give the Cardinals a 16-14 lead with nine minutes left in the third quarter.

The Cardinals were helped by a 40-yard pass interference penalty that got them into the red zone. The Cardinals have their third lead of the game.

Prater is 21 of 23 on field goals this season.

Watt gets another sack

Cardinals defensive lineman J.J. Watt reached 10.5 sacks on the season with a third quarter sack, and it is the sixth 10-sack season of his career. The veteran seems to be going out playing his best football as his career nears an end.

Not much more to be said about Watt other than he is still giving it everything he has even though he has already announced he is leaving the game at the end of the season.

End of the half

The Cardinals Matt Prater kicked a 36-yard field goal to end the first half. Arizona trails the Atlanta Falcons 14-13.

The final two minutes of the game saw the Falcons capitalize on a blocked punt to score a touchdown before allowing the Cardinals to drive 62 yards to set up the field goal.

David Blough, starting at quarterback for the Cardinals is 15-for-20 passing for 117 yards and a touchdown. James Conner has 10 carries for 48 yards. Tight end Trey McBride has four catches for 34 yards, including his first career touchdown. Blough has completed passes to seven different receivers.

Atlanta quarterback Desmond Ridder is 12-for-14 passing for 97 yards.

Failed conversion and a blocked punt

The Falcons went for it on fourth-and-2 from the Arizona 9 and came up short. The play put pressure on the Cardinals, who didn't rise to the challenge.

A three-and-out set up a punt by the Cardinals. However, the Andy Lee punt was blocked by Atlanta and recovered for the Falcons by Richie Grant.

One play later, the Falcons had a 14-10 lead after Cordarrelle Patterson ran 5 yards into the end zone.

Score: Falcons 14, Cardinals 10 (1:47 second)

Fumble and stumble

Atlanta quarterback Desmond Ridder fumbled on first down and the Cardinals capitalized.

Leki Fotu recovered the ball for the Cardinals at the Atlanta 8.

Two short plays later — a 4-yard run by James Conner and a catch by tight end Trey McBride — Arizona was in the end zone.

McBride didn't make it look pretty, as he stumbled in for the score, but it got the job done.

The touchdown was the first of McBride's career..

Score: Cardinals 10, Falcons 7 (10:00 second)

Falcons take the lead

The Atlanta Falcons converted a fourth-and-1 at the Arizona 19 and a play later found the end zone when Tyler Allegeier ran for 5 yards.

The touchdown finished the Falcons first possession of the game and gave them a 7-3 lead over the Arizona Cardinals.

Both teams scored on their only drives of the game with the Cardinals getting a field goal in the first.

Score: Falcons 7, Cardinals 3 (13:38 second)

Quick first quarter

The Arizona Cardinals saw a promising opening drive turn into a field goal. But that proved to be the highlight of the first quarter

The Cardinals picked up five first downs before the drive stalled at the Atlanta 20. Matt Prater kicked a 38-yard field goal.

David Blough, starting at quarterback for the Cardinals, was 5-for-7 passing for 53 yards on the drive. His primary targets were receivers Marquise "Hollywood" Brown and Greg Dortch and tight end Trey McBride.

The quarter ended with the Falcons driving.

Score: Cardinals 3, Falcons 0

Inactives

Arizona Cardinals vs. Atlanta Falcons odds

The Arizona Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons play on Sunday in a game on the NFL Week 17 schedule.

What do the odds say about the game?

The Falcons are a 3.5-point favorite, according to Tipico Sportsbook.

The Falcons are -190 on the moneyline in the game.

The Cardinals are +160.

The over/under for the game is set at 41 points.

Pregame reading

Sean Payton next team odds: Arizona Cardinals favored to land ex-New Orleans Saints coach

More:Arizona Cardinals predicted to land top pick in 2023 NFL draft

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons: Live updates, score, analysis