ATLANTA — Bouncing back from one of their ugliest losses, the Atlanta Falcons recorded one of the best all-around performances of the season.

Wide receiver Julio Jones and kicker Matt Bryant enjoyed career days, leading the Falcons to an easy 29-18 win over the fading Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at the Georgia Dome.

Jones caught 10 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown, and Bryant made five field goals for the Falcons, who jumped out to a big lead and were never seriously challenged.

Atlanta coach Mike Smith came under fire last week for mismanaging a late-game situation in a last-second loss to the Cleveland Browns. Instead of folding, Smith’s team came out inspired against the Cardinals, who dropped their second game in a row since losing starting quarterback Carson Palmer to a knee injury.

The Falcons (5-7) are tied for first place with the New Orleans Saints in the downtrodden NFC South. Atlanta is heading into a defining three-game stretch: next Monday at the Green Bay Packers, Dec. 14 against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dec. 21 at New Orleans.

The Cardinals (9-3) still hold a one-game lead on the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West. They host the Kansas City Chiefs next week before finishing with three division games, two of which are on the road.

Quarterback Drew Stanton didn’t get the Cardinals’ offense into the end zone until late in the fourth quarter, after the outcome was decided. Stanton completed 24 of 39 passes for 294 yards, and he threw two interceptions against an Atlanta defense that entered the game ranked last in the NFL against the pass. Stanton’s touchdown pass went to running back Stepfan Taylor.

The Falcons forced three turnovers and held the Cardinals to 329 total yards, most coming in garbage time.

Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan threw touchdown passes to tight end Levine Toilolo and Jones in a first quarter that could have even been worse for Arizona.

Falcons kick returner Devin Hester had a 70-yard punt return for touchdown called back by an offensive facemask penalty on Hester that occurred in the end zone. That call was followed by an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Falcons special teams coach Keith Armstrong, pushing Atlanta back to the Arizona 32.

The Falcons ended up settling for a Bryant field goal that gave the Falcons a 10-0 lead, and they pushed the advantage to 17-0 on a 32-yard Jones touchdown catch.

Atlanta threatened to extend the margin on its first drive of the second quarter. However, Arizona safety Rashad Johnson jumped in front of a Ryan pass and returned it 88 yards for a touchdown that cut the lead to 17-7.

Ryan finished 30 of 41 for 361 yards and two touchdowns. Bryant kicked three field goals in the second half to cap the Falcons’ scoring, and veteran running back Steven Jackson had his best performance of season with 101 yards on 18 carries.

Jones’ 189 yards receiving were a career high, as were Bryant’s five field goals.

NOTES: Arizona CB Tyrann Mathieu (thumb) and RB Andre Ellington (hip) were injured in the first half and did not return. … Atlanta outgained Arizona 183-22 in the first quarter, 500-329 for the game. … Arizona WR Larry Fitzgerald missed his second consecutive game due to a strained MCL. … Atlanta WR Roddy White (ankle) and DT Paul Soliai (personal) were late scratches. … Atlanta WR Julio Jones went over 1,000 yards receiving for the season in the game. … Bryant made field goals of 20, 23, 21, 45 and 28 yards.