Falcons Visit Cardinals in Wild Card Weekend's 1st Matchup

The Arizona Cardinals host their first home playoff game since moving to the southwest and first since 1947 when they were the Chicago Cardinals. The Cardinals last playoff appearance was in 1998.

The Arizona Cardinals, which scored a franchise record 424 points, boasts a high-flying attack led by QB Kurt Warner and wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston.

The Atlanta Falcons are in the postseason for the first time since 2004.

The Falcons are led by rookie QB Matt Ryan and RB Michael Turner. The Falcons ended the season winning five of their last six, and eight of their last 10.

Atlanta Falcons (11-5) at Arizona Cardinals (9-7) - Saturday, NBC, 4:30 PM ET

Quarterback Matt Ryan, the Falcons first-round draft pick squares off against the 11-year NFL veteran quarterback Kurt Warner. Warner, if you remember was an undrafted free agent who was once bagging groceries and wound up Super Bowl XXXIV MVP.

"Everyone knows the story with Matt Ryan and what a remarkable one it is, but I can remember at the beginning of the season and the story was there's no way this offensive line can protect Matt Ryan. Matt Ryan is going to die in his rookie year." "I can remember hearing the stories about how bad they were, and yet when I put on the tape and watch them block for Michael Turner and for Jerious Norwood and for Matt Ryan, they're not the greatest players in the world, they're not all going to the Pro Bowl but as a team they're pretty good. This is a team that has collectively found a way to turn it around. It's what makes the NFL exciting."

-- NBC's Chris Collinsworth on Matt Ryan and the Falcons

Kurt Warner has started in seven career playoff games and has a 5-2 record as a starter.

This marks Kurt Warner's first playoff appearance in seven years, and first with the Cardinals. While with the Saint Louis Rams, Warner appeared in the playoffs in 1999, 2000 and 2001.

In 1999, after emerging from obscurity to win the NFL MVP award and lead the Rams to the playoffs. Warner led Saint Louis to a victory over the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV, and earned Super Bowl MVP honors.

Warner had the Rams back in the Super Bowl following the 2001 season, losing to the Patriots 20-17 on a game-winning field goal.

Warner's 1,063 yards passing during the 1999 playoffs are the most by a player in a single postseason in NFL history. He is one of only three quarterbacks to throw for at least 1,000 yards in a single postseason. Warner has passed for at least 365 yards in four postseason games, the most in NFL history. Warner's 92.3 career passer rating in the playoffs is the fifth highest total in history among QBs with at least 150 attempts.

Both direct highly ranked offensive units that could wind up dominating the game and propelling their team on to the next round.

The Falcons, behind one of the greatest off-season free agent acquisitions ever, Michael Turner, headlined the NFL's second best rushing attack (152.7 yards per game). Turner (No. 2 in NFL rushing with 1,699 yards) set a club record with 17 TDs (all rushing).

Kurt Warner led the NFL's second best passing game this year (292.1) by throwing to only the fifth teammate receiver threesome in history with 1,000 yards apiece -- Larry Fitzgerald (1,431), Anquan Boldin (1,038) and Steve Breaston (1,006).

"They like to throw the ball around the yard," understates Atlanta head coach MIKE SMITH.

Three of four NFC Pro Bowl receivers will be in action in the game: Boldin and Fitzgerald along with Atlanta's Roddy White.

The Cardinals won the NFC West behind a perfect 6-0 division record. The Cardinals last appearance in the playoffs was as a Wild Card team in 1998 when they beat the Cowboys 20-7 in Dallas before losing to Minnesota 41-21 during the divisional weekend.

The Cardinals face the Falcons who, at 11-5 under first year head coach Mike Smith, have made an impressive turnaround from last season's 4-12 finish. The Falcons are led by rookie quarterback Matt Ryan and the NFL's second rated rushing attack fueled by dynamic running backs Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood. The Falcons enter the game as a Wild Card coming from the NFC South.

The Cardinals and Falcons are two of the five 2008 NFC playoff teams that did not reach the postseason in 2007. The winner of this week's matchup will move on to the Divisional Playoffs next weekend.

NFL 2008 Regular Season Common Opponents

Although the Falcons and Cardinals did not play each other this season, they played against four common opponents -- The Vikings, Panthers, Eagles and Rams

The Falcons were 3-2 against common opponents defeating the Minnesota Vikings (12/21/2008 @Minnesota W 24-17), Saint Louis Rams (12/28/2008 31-27), splitting their series with the Carolina Panthers (9/28/2008 @Carolina L 9-24; 11/23/2008 W 45-28) and losing to the Philadelphia Eagles (10/26/2008 @Philadelphia Eagles L 14-27).

The Cardinals were 2-3 against common opponents sweeping the Saint Louis Rams (11/2/2008 @ St. Louis Rams 34-13; 12/7/2008 34-10), while losing to the Vikings (12/14/2008 L 14-35), Panthers (10/26/2008 @ Carolina Panthers L 23-27) and Eagles (11/27/2008 @Philadelphia Eagles L 20-48).

Series: Cardinals Advantage: 14-10

The Cardinals and Falcons meet for the 25th time this week and the first time in the postseason. The Cardinals hold a 14-10 advantage in the series and have won eight of 10 home games against Atlanta. However, the Falcons have won 4 of the past 5.

This week's game will mark the Falcons second trip to University of Phoenix Stadium, with Atlanta having visited in week 16 last season in a game the Cardinals won 30-27 in overtime. In that game, Arizona K Neil Rackers connects on 29-yard FG as time expired to tie the game, than a 31-yard FG with 9:30 remaining in OT for the Cardinals victory. The two teams combined for 842 total net yards, including 437 by Cardinals.

Arizona Cardinals 30, Atlanta Falcons 27 (OT)

December 23, 2007 -- University of Phoenix Stadium -- (64,159)

The Cardinals led Atlanta 24-14 through 3 quarters but allowed the visiting Falcons to score on their final 3 possessions of the 4th quarter (FG, TD, FG) to take a 27-24 with 1:38 to play. Arizona then rallied for a 29-yard game-tying field goal as regulation expired and a 31-yarder that won it on the first possession of OT. The win upped AZ to 7-8 while Atlanta dropped its 6th straight to fall to 3-12. WR Anquan Boldin starred for the Cards, finishing with 13 catches for 162 yards and 2 TDs. Kurt Warner completed a career-high 36 passes for 361 yards and 3 TDs and engineered the game-tying and winning drives late.

On their first drive of the game Falcons advanced to the AZ6 thanks in part to a 23-yard pass interference call against CB Rod Hood that took it to the 11. However, 3 plays later Hood picked off Chris Redman's 3rd down pass in the end zone to halt the drive. The Cards responded by moving 80 yards in 10 plays and ended the drive with a 4-yard Warner TD pass to Boldin, whose 3 catches accounted for 43 of the drive's 80 yards. The next Falcons possession saw them execute a successful fake punt when LB/up-back Travis Williams ran 37 yards to the AZ29.

Five plays later, rookie RB Jason Snelling scored on a 1-yard run to tie the game. In the 2nd quarter, the Cards came up with a key 4th down play of their own when they went for it on 4th-n-4 at the ATL28. Warner converted with a 7-yard pass to Boldin and 2 plays later the pair connected on a 13-yard TD pass. The 4th down catch was Boldin's 400th career reception and by reaching the plateau in his 67th career game, he became the fastest player in NFL history to do so. Arizona's 7-point lead was short-lived as Atlanta tied it on the next play from scrimmage when Redman connected with rookie WR Laurent Robinson deep down the middle on a 74-yard scoring pass. Arizona's Sean Morey returned the ensuing kickoff 40 yards to midfield and that set-up a 32-yard Neil Rackers FG. Just before halftime, Warner executed the 2:00 drill to perfection and ended the 53-yard drive with his 3rd TD pass of the day, a 4-yarder to RB J.J. Arrington with 16 ticks on the clock.

The 2nd half was scoreless until Morten Andersen hit a 23-yard FG with 8:52 left in the 4th, making it a 7-point game. After AZ went 3-n-out, Redman capped Atlanta's next drive with a 7-yard game-tying TD pass to TE Alge Crumpler. Another 3-n-out by the Cards gave it back to the Falcons at their own 41 with 3:00 to go. With 1:56 left, a pass interference call set Atlanta up with a 1st-n-goal at the 7. After 3 Warrick Dunn runs netted just 4 yards, Atlanta took the lead on Andersen's 21-yard FG. Arizona got the ball back at its own 26 with 1:38 to play, down 3 and out of timeouts. Warner then deftly moved the Cards 53 yards with completions to 4 different receivers and put the team in position for Rackers' 29-yard game-tying FG at 0:00. Arizona won the toss in OT and on the 2nd play of the extra period Warner hit Boldin with a 25-yard pass. Boldin had 3 catches for 34 yards on the drive but it was Larry Fitzgerald's 19-yarder that was the final completion before Rackers' game-winner.

Cardinals & Falcons in 2008 Comparison

 

NFL 2008 Week 17: Atlanta Falcons 31, Saint Louis Rams 27

(December 28, 2008 Georgia Dome - Atlanta, Georgia)

Running back Jerious Norwood took his time entering the Georgia Dome before Sunday's game against the Rams. He greeted security personnel and cruised to his parking space and into the locker room at a steady pace.

The speedy running back rushed for a pair of touchdowns, including a 45-yard game-winner, in a 31-27 victory over St. Louis. Norwood also rushed for an 8-yard score off a direct snap just before halftime, which was setup by his 92-yard kickoff return with 20 seconds to go in the second quarter.

Norwood split time with Pro Bowl running back Michael Turner (208 yards and a score). Norwood touched the ball just four times on offense but made every play count in a game that secured a No. 5 seed in the NFC Playoffs. Atlanta will travel to Arizona next week for a Wild Card game against the Cardinals.

The Rams (2-14) did not back away from the playoff-bound Falcons, pulling out a fake punt and an onside kick in the game. St. Louis led three times, including a 27-24 advantage with 6:39 left in the ball game. Running back Steven Jackson rushed for 161 yards and a pair of touchdowns and quarterback Marc Bulger added to a 91.9 rating with a 16-yard touchdown to Donnie Avery with less than a minute to play in the first half.

Atlanta scored three-straight touchdowns to take a 10-point lead in the third quarter but the Rams stormed back, running 24 plays in the fourth period before the Falcons defense closed out the game by forcing a turnover on downs.

Linebacker Michael Boley was credited with a team-high 11 tackles while Chauncey Davis, playing for an injured Jamaal Anderson, recorded a sack. Rookie Kroy Biermann and linebacker Stephen Nicholas also dropped Bulger for a loss in the game.

Offensively the Falcons weren't without mistakes.

Rookie quarterback Matt Ryan threw a pair of interceptions, one leading to a St. Louis score, and Turner had a 70-yard run nullified with a fumble at the Rams 4-yard line. That play was reviewed, but upheld. Still the Falcons combined to rush for 263 rushing yards -- the second-highest total of the season. Wide receiver Roddy White (three catches for 48 yards) also set the team single-season record for receiving yards (1,382). His 18-yard touchdown grab in the third quarter also gave the Falcons a 10-point lead.

The biggest plays went to Norwood, who appears fully healed from a rib injury that limited his explosiveness in the second half of the year. The Falcons will be with his services -- and speed -- for the "second" season, which starts in less than a week.

NFL 2008 Week 17: Arizona Cardinals 34, Seattle Seahawks 21

December 28, 2008 -- University of Phoenix Stadium (63,874)

After dropping a pair of one-sided contests following their week 14 win that clinched the NFC West title, the Cardinals entered the regular season finale vs. Seattle looking to regain some rhythm and momentum before the playoffs. They found it in the 2nd quarter thanks in large part to WR Larry Fitzgerald. Playing without fellow all-pro Anquan Boldin (shoulder), Fitzgerald caught a pair of TD passes and set up another with a 50-yard grab as part of another 100-yard outing. RB Edgerrin James saw his most action since early October and topped 100 rushing yards. The win gave the Cards a 9-7 mark -- its best since the '98 season -- and spoiled the final game of outgoing Seahawks head coach Mike Holmgren.

Seattle led 7-0 after one quarter thanks to a 1-yard T.J. Duckett run that capped a 12-play drive that began with a Warner fumble recovery. Early in the 2nd quarter, the Seahawks had a chance to make it 10-0 when they advanced to the AZ23 but Olindo Mare's 42-yard field goal try was wide left. On the next snap, Warner went deep to Fitzgerald and his 50-yard catch took it to the SEA18. That led a play later to Warner's 16-yard TD pass to WR Jerheme Urban. On the next Seahawk drive, Karlos Dansby forced a Maurice Morris fumble that CB Ralph Brown returned to the SEA12. Two plays later, Warner and Fitzgerald connected on a 5-yard TD pass. The Seahawks came right back and scored before halftime when Seneca Wallace threw a perfect 30-yard TD pass to WR Deion Branch that made it 14-14 at intermission.

After the team's traded punts to open the 3rd, Fitzgerald put the Cards up 21-14 on his 38-yard TD grab. After a Seattle 3-and-out, Warner capped a 68-yard drive with a 14-yard TD strike to Steve Breaston. It was Warner's 4th TD of the day, his most as a Cardinal and most since 2001 with the Rams. Branch and Wallace connected on a 2-yard TD pass on the next Seattle drive to make it 28-21. Matt Leinart then came on in relief of Warner and led FG drives on each of the next two possessions. CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie put the final dagger into the Seahawks with his INT in the final minute.

Atlanta Falcons (11-5)

• - The Falcons have won 11+ games for 4th time in team history (1980, 1998, 2004). Team's 11 wins are tied for most in season by rookie head coach (Smith) & rookie QB (MATT RYAN) duo (Baltimore, 2008). Falcons had 2 players selected to Pro Bowl: RB MICHAEL TURNER (1st) & WR RODDY WHITE (1st). Marked 2nd time in franchise history that team had 1,300-yard rusher & receiver (1981)
• - Ryan is 1 of 2 rookie QBs (JOE FLACCO) in NFL history to start 16 games & lead team to playoffs. Passed for 3,440 yards & is 2nd rookie in NFL history to pass for 3,000 yards (3,739, PEYTON MANNING, 1998). When Ryan has 100.0+ passer rating, team is 6-0
• - Rush offense ranked 2nd in NFL (152.7 yards per game). RB Turner ranked 2nd in NFL in rushing yards (1,699), scrimmage yards (1,740) & TDs (franchise-record 17). Led NFL with 84 rushing 1st downs & 45 runs of 10+ yards. Had 8 100-yard games, incl. 2 200-yard performances. Has 2 highest single-game rushing totals in team history (220 in Week 1 & 208 in Week 17). Has 11 rush TDs in past 8. When Turner has 8+ carries, his teams are 22-5 (.815). RB JERIOUS NORWOOD has 9 career TDs (7 rush, 2 rec.) & 5 have been 45+ yards. Had career-high 2 rush TDs last week
• - WR White set team record with 1,382 yards. Is 1st Falcon to record back-to-back 1,200-yard seasons. Had 7 100-yard games. In last game vs. Arz., White had 12 catches for 141 yards. Led NFL with 516 receiving yards on 3rd down. WR MICHAEL JENKINS recorded 2nd consecutive 50-catch season & had career-high 777 yards & 15.5 avg
• - DE JOHN ABRAHAM ranked 3rd in NFL with franchise-record 16.5 sacks. Has 84.0 sacks since 2000, 3rd most in NFL. Aims for 3rd playoff game in row with sack. LB KEITH BROOKING will play in 8th career playoff game. Has sack in 2 of past 3 postseason contests. Has recorded 100+ tackles in 8 consecutive years
• - K JASON ELAM has appeared in 14 playoff games. Had 129 points & has scored 100+ points in each of 1st 16 seasons to start career, longest in history.

Arizona Cardinals (9-7)

• - Cardinals host 1st playoff game since 1947 when team was in Chicago. Won 1st division title since 1975 when team was in St. Louis & clinched NFC East
• - This season Cardinals scored 427 points, most in franchise history (423, 1984). Under head coach Whisenhunt, Cardinals 12-4 (.750) at home. Team had 5 players selected to Pro Bowl: WRs ANQUAN BOLDIN (3rd) & LARRY FITZGERALD (3rd), ST SEAN MOREY (1st), QB KURT WARNER (4th) & S ADRIAN WILSON (2nd)
• - QB Warner has passed for 365+ yards in 4 postseason games, most in NFL history. Holds record for most passing yards in single postseason when he passed for 1,063 yards in 1999 with StL. Is 7-1 (.875) in career vs. Falcons with 21 TDs vs. 6 INTs & 117.0 passer rating. Has 3+ TDs in 6 of those 8. In starts with 15+ att. & 100.0+ rating (incl. playoffs), his teams are 36-3 (.923). Has 5-2 (.714) postseason record
• - RB TIM HIGHTOWER tied for lead among NFL rookies with 10 rush TDs & set club rookie record. Hightower (10) & WRs Fitzgerald (12) & Boldin (11) are 7th trio since 1970 to each score 10+ TDs in season. RB EDGERRIN JAMES has 5 rush TDs in past 5 playoff games
• - Fitzgerald (96), Boldin (89) & STEVE BREASTON (77) are 2nd WR trio in NFL history to record 75+ receptions in season (1989 Washington). Cardinals led NFL with 13 100-yard receiving games -- Fitzgerald (7), Boldin (3) & Breaston (3). Club is 5th team in NFL history with 3 1,000-yard receivers in season -- Fitzgerald (1,431), Boldin (1,038) & Breaston (1,006). In last game vs. Atl., Boldin had 13 catches for 162 yards & 2 TDs
• - S Wilson is 1 of 3 active safeties with 18+ INTs (18) & 18+ sacks (18.5). Aims for 3rd in row vs. Falcons with INT. In last meeting, had 99-yard INT-TD, longest INT-TD in franchise history. Rookie CB DOMINIQUE RODGERS-CROMARTIE tied mark this year (99 yards vs. StL, 12/7/08). Has 4 INTs in past 7. S ANTREL ROLLE has returned 4 of his 8 career INTs for TD for 50.0 pct. rate, best in NFL history among players with 4+ INT-TDs. LB KARLOS DANSBY led team with career-high 126 tackles, his 3rd consecutive 100-tackle season
• - ST Morey has played in 11 playoff games, most on team.

PREDICTION: Atlanta Falcons 35, Arizona Cardinals 21

Anticipate the first playoff game of the weekend to be exciting and loaded with plenty of offense.

The Cardinals are capable of winning this game, but they would need to shed their below average play towards the end of the season.

Since hosting the Giants (11/23/2008), the Cardinals are 2-4 defeating the Rams and Seahawks while losing to the Giants (37-29), Eagles (48-20), Vikings (35-14) and Patriots (47-7) and outscored 167 to 70 in the process. Six of the Cardinals wins come within NFC West, clearly the weakest division in the NFL this season. Collectively, their division rivals posted a 13-35 record. Their other 3 wins came against the Dolphins, Bills and Cowboys but that was early in the season.

The Falcons on the other hand are 7-3 since their bye week (10/19/2008) losing to the Eagles (27-14) and Saints (29-25) on the road and the Broncos (24-20) at home. The Falcons were only 3-3 in the NFC South, but their division finished the 2008 season as the NFL's best collectively compiling a 40-24 record.

Statistically, the Cardinals and Falcons are about equal. But don't be fooled by statistics as the Falcons and Cardinals have played against a different level of competition.

For the Cardinals to win, they would need near-perfect play from Kurt Warner and their trio of outstanding receivers plus the Falcons offense to experience playoff jitters and turn the ball over a few times.

"You're going to see Atlanta try and pound the football at Arizona and Arizona of course with Kurt Warner and their great wide receivers throwing it all over the park in perfect weather."

-- NBC Analyst Chris Collinsworth.

Related

NFL 2008 PLAYOFFS RANKINGS

Once teams are ranked for the playoffs, positions do not change:

American Football Conference

1. Tennessee Titans (AFC South Division champion)

2. Pittsburgh Steelers (AFC North Division champion)

3. Miami Dolphins (AFC East Division champion)

4. San Diego Chargers (AFC West Division champion)

5. Indianapolis Colts

6. Baltimore Ravens

National Football Conference

1. New York Giants (NFC East Division champion)

2. Carolina Panthers (NFC South Division champion)

3. Minnesota Vikings (NFC North Division champion)

4. Arizona Cardinals (NFC West Division champion)

5. Atlanta Falcons

6. Philadelphia Eagles

NFL 2008 PLAYOFFS WILD CARD WEEKEND SCHEDULE

Saturday, January 3

NFC: Atlanta Falcons at Arizona Cardinals, 4:30 PM ET (NBC)

AFC: Indianapolis Colts at San Diego Chargers, 8:00 PM ET (NBC)

Sunday, January 4

AFC: Baltimore Ravens at Miami Dolphins, 1:00 PM ET (CBS)

NFC: Philadelphia Eagles at Minnesota Vikings, 4:30 PM ET (FOX)

 

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Falcons Visit Cardinals in Wild Card Weekend's 1st Matchup - NFL 2008 Playoffs