It is a conspiracy. The NFL wants the Falcons to win. It is a better story. Better ratings. Nobody likes the Cardinals.
Well, OK, I'll always rather like the Cardinals - the thing about first loves and all that, always a soft spot in my heart for them - but they're a moribund franchise with lousy ownership and one that belly-flopped into the playoffs this year. The longer the Big Red last in the postseason and the closer they get to a Super Bowl, I bet there will be some secret hand-wringing among the higher ups.