That day in Atlanta in 2014, Julio Jones had 10 catches for 189 yards, and while they all weren’t while Patrick Peterson had Jones in coverage, the vast majority were.
“That was the worst game I ever played,” Peterson said. “We came into the locker room, and we lost by (double digits), and I told the guys, ‘I let you down.’ Because if he didn’t have that big game, if he didn’t go off the way he went off, I believe the game would have been much more manageable for us to win.
“From that point on, I was like, ‘Man, something has got to change.’ I told myself that can’t happen again.”
As the Cardinals prepare to go back to Atlanta this weekend, Peterson has stayed true to his self-promise.
According to Pro Football Focus, Peterson has not allowed 80 or more yards in 68 straight games, including the playoffs. That streak started the week after the Julio bomb. It’s also the longest such streak in the 13 years PFF has broken down such data.
It also includes the last time Peterson covered Jones, when the Cardinals visited the Falcons in 2016 and Jones was held to four catches for 35 yards. In fact, Peterson has had more games in which he has allowed nine receiving yards or less (20) in that time frame than he has allowed 40 yards or more (17). That includes 11 instances in which he has allowed zero yards (or negative-one yard, in one game).
Teams don’t throw at Peterson often, especially the last couple of years, and that has helped his streak.
“I don’t get many opportunities,” Peterson said. “It’s not hard to keep that number low.”
That won’t be a problem Sunday. Jones sat out practice Wednesday with foot and calf injuries, and missed Thursday with an illness, but he is expected to play Sunday.
If the Cardinals had a stronger lineup at the other cornerback – they have started three different players there this season and it will again be a priority going into the offseason – Peterson might have been used a little differently.
“For the most part, Pat has gone to the other team’s star receiver,” Holcomb said. “Naturally, when we got here, Pat played on the left side all spring (in the offseason) because we wanted him to get used to playing all the different coverage concepts.”
But the idea of doing anything but shadowing the other team’s No. 1 guy brings a raised eyebrow and “next question,” from Peterson.
“I put it in my notes Tuesday: ‘The best versus the best,’ ” Peterson said. “These are the matchups I live and thrive on. This is why you play the game, why Hall of Famers are Hall of Famers, why greats are greats. Because they look forward to this type of matchup.”
NO COACHING FOR FITZGERALD
Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald was again deflecting talk about his potential retirement Thursday, saying he will make a decision after the season.
He did make it clear he will not be going into coaching.
“Heck no,” Fitzgerald said. “Never. Never.”
It wouldn’t be the pay, which would be significantly lower than his current salary. It would be the hours coaches have to put in. Fitzgerald said he wants to be able to be with his family and take part in various business opportunities.
“I get bored easily,” he said.
JOHNSON RETURNS TO PRACTICE
Running back David Johnson (quadriceps) returned to practice on a limited basis Thursday. Wilks said Wednesday he expects Johnson to play against the Falcons. Safety Budda Baker (knee) also returned to practice limited. Wide receiver Chad Williams (hamstring) remained sidelined.
Also limited were guard Oday Aboushi (knee) and linebacker Deone Bucannon (chest).
For the Falcons, Jones (foot/calf/illness), tight end Austin Hooper (knee/ankle) and defensive tackle Terrell McClain (toe) remained sidelined, with Falcons coach Dan Quinn ruling McClain out for Sunday. Linebacker Deion Jones (foot), defensive tackle Grady Jerrett (groin/shoulder) and tight end Logan Paulsen (knee/ankle) were limited.
Images from past matchups between the Cardinals and this week's opponent, the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Scott Campbell (10) hands off during a 34 - 21 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Nov. 29, 1987 at Atlanta Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta.
Phoenix Cardinals quarterback Gary Hogeboom (5) breaks up field between Atlanta's Jessie Tuggle (58) and Tim Green (99) to pick up a first down, Oct. 23, 1989 in Tempe, Ariz. The Cardinals defeated Atlanta 34-20.
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Deion Sanders looks towards the stands from the field during a timeout against the Phoenix Cardinals in the Falcons' last game of the season at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Jan. 2, 1994.
Arizona Cardinals defensive backs Kwamie Lassiter (42) and Brent Alexander (46) gang tackle Atlanta Falcons quarterback Chris Chandler (12) in December 1997 in Tempe, Az.
Atlanta Falcons' Byron Hanspard (24) falls into the endzone for a touchdown despite the efforts of Arizona Cardinals' Mark Maddox (53) and Ronald McKinnon (57) in the third quarter at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Sunday, Dec. 26, 1999. The Cardinals called for a replay since Hanspard came down without the ball, but the touchdown was upheld, as it was ruled that the ball crossed the plane of the goal line before he came down.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Bryant Johnson (80) gets first half yardage under pressure from Atlanta Falcons cornerback Jason Webster (36) at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2004.
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Kevin Mathis (23) breaks up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) in the end zone during second half play at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2004.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick (7) is brought down by Arizona Cardinals end Peppi Zellner (94), left, and end Calvin Pace (97) during first half play at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2004.
Atlanta Falcons fullback Justin Griffith (33) is brought down by Arizona Cardinals cornerback David Macklin (27), left, and end Kyle Vanden Bosch (93) during first half play at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2004.
Arizona Cardinals running back Emmitt Smith (22) is tied up by the Atlanta Falcons defense including linebacker Chris Draft (54), second from right, and safety Scott Bryan (24), right, during second half play at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2004.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) is brought down by Atlanta Falcons linebacker Keith Brooking (56) and safety Lawyer Milloy (36) in the football game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2006.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick takes it to a first-half first and ten on the keeper under pressure from Arizona Cardinals safety Robert Griffith (34) during the football game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2006.
Arizona Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson (24) takes off on his 99-yard touchdown run after picking off a first-half Atlanta Falcons' Michael Vick pass during the football game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2006.
Arizona Cardinals' Edgerrin James (32) runs past Atlanta Falcons' Michael Boley (59) in the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007, in Glendale, Ariz.
Atlanta Falcons defensive end John Abraham gets a hand on the facemask of Arizona Cardinals running back Edgerrin James, left, during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 30-27 in overtime.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin, right, stiff-arms Atlanta Falcons safety Chris Crocker as Boldin runs along the sideline after making a reception in the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 30-27 in overtime.
Arizona Cardinals' Anquan Boldin (81) celebrates his touchdown with teammate Reggie Wells (74) as Atlanta Falcons' Michael Boley (59) and Lawyer Milloy (36) look away during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, top, tries to dive for the first down marker after making a catch as Atlanta Falcons cornerback Domonique Foxworth, bottom, makes the tackle during the fourth quarter of an NFL wild-card playoff football game on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009 in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals defeated the Falcons 30-24.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) throws a pass as Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) defends during the second quarter of an NFL wild-card playoff football game on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009 in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner is pressured by Atlanta Falcons' Lawyer Millory, left, during the first quarter of an NFC wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009 in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals' Karlos Dansby loses his helmet while tackling Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner during the second quarter of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009 in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 30-24.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt gets doused by his players during the fourth quarter of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Atlanta Falcons Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009 in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 30-24.
Arizona Cardinals defensive end Antonio Smith, center, sacks Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) in the end zone for a safety as Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Todd Weiner, right, applies a late block during the fourth quarter of an NFL wild-card playoff football game on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009 in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals defeated the Falcons 30-24.
Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez (88) catches the ball as Arizona Cardinals' Adrian Wilson (24) defends in the first half of their NFL football game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010.
Atlanta Falcons running back Ovie Mughelli, center, is stopped by Arizona Cardinals defenders Paris Lenon (51) and Adrian Wilson (24) in the second half of their NFL football game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Clark Haggans in the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010, in Atlanta.
Arizona Cardinals running back LaRod Stephens-Howling (36) runs as Atlanta Falcons free safety Thomas DeCoud (28) misses the tackle during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012, in Atlanta.
Arizona Cardinals running back William Powell (33) is tackled by Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Vance Walker (99) during an NFL football game, Sunday, November 18, 2012, in Atlanta. The Falcons won 23-19.
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Stephen Nicholas (54) tackles Arizona Cardinals quarterback Ryan Lindley (14) for a sack as Arizona Cardinals fullback Anthony Sherman (35) blocks during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012, in Atlanta.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) makes his 800th career catch as Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant (21) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Daryl Washington (58) celebrates his interception against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer, left, throws as Atlanta Falcons defensive end Osi Umenyiora defends during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) looks to run against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Harry Douglas (83) runs into Arizona Cardinals middle linebacker Larry Foote (50) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014, in Atlanta.
Arizona Cardinals nose tackle Dan Williams (92) applies pressure to Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014, in Atlanta.
Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) is it by Arizona Cardinals strong safety Deone Bucannon (36) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014, in Atlanta.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) makes a one-handed catch against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Brian Poole (34) during the first of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, in Atlanta.
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) runs near Atlanta Falcons cornerback Jalen Collins (32) during the first of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, in Atlanta.
Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) runs against Arizona Cardinals cornerback Marcus Cooper (41) during the second of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, in Atlanta.
