ATLANTA -- Taylor Gabriel plays as if hes got something to prove.No surprise there.Hes one of the smallest guys on the field and couldnt even keep a job with the winless Cleveland Browns.Landing firmly on his feet in Atlanta, Gabriel turned a couple of short passes into long touchdowns that sparked the Falcons to a 38-19 victory Sunday over the plummeting Arizona Cardinals.The 5-foot-8, 165-pound Gabriel was cut by the Browns just before the season. That motivated him even more after he was claimed off waivers by the Falcons.Im shorter than all you guys here, he told reporters gathered around his locker, so I have to play with a chip on my shoulder. I have to play bigger than I am. I have to go out there and show people what I can do on a week-to-week basis.Gabriel scored on plays of 35 and 25 yards that showed off his speed. His second score , with just under 9 minutes remaining, finished off the Cardinals, who began the season touted as a Super Bowl contender but have been one of the NFLs most disappointing teams.I felt like they were running in slow motion, Gabriel quipped.The Falcons (7-4) began the day leading the NFC South and moved a step closer to their first playoff berth since 2012.We recognize the opportunity we have at hand, coach Dan Quinn said.The Cardinals (4-6-1) have lost two straight and three of their past four, putting them in danger of missing the playoffs after reaching the NFC championship game last season.Coach Bruce Arians was on the sideline after falling ill and being briefly hospitalized early in the week, but it did little to inspire his team.Theres not much you can take positive from this game, Arizonas Larry Fitzgerald said.Arizona got off to a strong start, burning the Falcons for eight plays of at least 13 yards on its first two possessions for a 10-7 lead.The Falcons surged ahead late in the first half when Matt Ryan tossed a screen pass to Gabriel, who picked up a couple of key blocks and outran everyone else to the end zone for his first score.Arizona cut it to 17-13 when Chris Catanzaro hit a 54-yard field goal on the final play of the half, the Cardinals taking advantage of an interception off a bobbled pass by Atlanta star Julio Jones.The Cardinals never got any closer.Tevin Colemans 2-yard touchdown run capped a 13-play, 77-yard drive that extended Atlantas lead to 24-13 late in the third quarter.Then it was Gabriel with the clinching score. He took another quick pass in the flat, sped down the left sideline and reached the pylon with a soaring dive.It was the kind of play that helped the Falcons counter Arizonas attacking defense, which came in ranked No. 1 in yards allowed.We felt his presence. We certainly felt his speed, Quinn said. When the other team wants to pressure and play aggressive, thats one of the weapons you use. Man, did he come up big for us.The Falcons finished with 360 yards, the most given up by the Cardinals since Week 1. No one has scored more points on Arizona this season.KEANUS HITAfter being fined for a vicious hit in Atlantas previous game, rookie safety Keanu Neal could be taking another blow to his wallet.Neal was penalized in the fourth quarter for unnecessary roughness against Fitzgerald.It looked as though both players lowered their helmets before making contact, but it was Neal picking up the flag.Neal was fined $24,309 for his helmet-to-helmet blow on Philadelphia receiver Jordan Matthews.INJURY REPORTArizona lost backup receiver John Brown to a hamstring injury, while Falcons defensive end Adrian Clayborn went down with a knee injury.Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer was taken to the X-ray room at the Georgia Dome after the game, but it was apparently just a precautionary measure. He met with reporters at his locker and didnt mention any problems.Cornerback Patrick Peterson played the game with a sore left knee. He was called for two pass interference penalties trying to defend Jones, both of which contributed to scores.I dont know what the diagnosis is right now, but I cant put too much pressure on it, Peterson said.UP NEXTCardinals: Return home to face Washington next Sunday.Falcons: Host the Kansas City Chiefs, the only team remaining on Atlantas schedule with a winning record.---Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963 . His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/paul-newberry .---For more NFL coverage: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFLNikola Mirotic Jersey . But by the time the game started, the Toronto Raptors forward felt even worse. And, for three quarters, it showed as Gay shot a woeful three-for-13 from the field. Zylan Cheatham Jersey . Denis Coderre, the former federal MP who was elected mayor on Nov. 3, has drawn the ire of some Montreal Canadiens. During last nights game he tweeted: "Hello? Can we get a one-way ticket to (minor-league) Hamilton for David Desharnais please. https://www.pelicanslockerroom.com/Lonzo-Ball-City-Edition-Jersey/ .com) - The Calgary Flames aim to bounce back from their first regulation home loss of the campaign on Friday night when they host a Detroit Red Wings club that they swept in three meetings a season ago. Brandon Ingram Jersey . Ryan Garbutt had a goal and two assists as Dallas snapped a six-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. Zion Williamson Jersey . Its the second straight game Bell has scored in extra time for Kelowna, which beat the Brandon Wheat Kings 6-5 on Friday, and he now has four game-winning goals on the season. LARAMIE, Wyo. -- Alan Herndon scored 15 points on 6-for-10 shooting Monday night to lead Wyoming past Division II Colorado Christian 67-60.Trailing by three in the second half, Wyoming (6-2) got a 3-pointer from Jeremy Lieberman to spark a 12-0 run that made it 48-39 and put the Cowboys on top for good. Herndon and Jason McManamen also had 3-pointers in the breakaway run.McManamen finished with 10 points and Justin James had nine points with seven rebounds for the Cowboys.Colorado Christian ttook the lead in the opening half during a 7-0 spurt capped with Brett Bradys jumper, making it 20-16 with 6:30 left.ddddddddddddWyoming tied it at 22-all but the Cougars edged back with Isaiah Hansons free throws and held a narrow lead into the second half.Ty McGee led Colorado Christian with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Jacob Taylor added 10 points for the Cougars. ' ' '