Cards confident

GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Arizona Cardinals have consecutive home playoff victories – 61 years apart.

Kurt Warner opened with a 42-yard touchdown pass to Larry Fitzgerald and connected with Anquan Boldin on a 71-yard scoring play as the Cardinals beat Atlanta 30-24 Saturday before a raucous, towel-waving crowd.

It was the franchise’s first home playoff game since the then-Chicago Cardinals beat Philadelphia to win the NFL championship in 1947.

“A lot of people coming into this game said we were the worst playoff team ever to get in,” Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt said. “I think we rallied around that.”

Atlanta rookie Matt Ryan was intercepted twice, was tackled in the end zone for a safety and fumbled the ball away on a botched handoff. That fumble was returned 27 yards by Antrel Rolle 52 seconds into the second half to put Arizona ahead for good.

Everyone knew the Cardinals could pass, but a stout defense and effective running game were a bonus.

“You have to really give credit first to their defense,” Falcons guard Harvey Dahl said. “They did an outstanding job. They were flying all over the place.”

Atlanta’s 60 yards rushing represented a season low.

“We couldn’t run the ball,” Falcons wide receiver Roddy White said. “We had to throw it around a little bit more than we’re used to. Things like that kind of put us behind the 8-ball.”

Arizona’s Edgerrin James outgained Atlanta’s Michael Turner, the NFL’s No. 2 rusher.

“They controlled the line of scrimmage,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said of the Cardinals’ defense.

James, who has made it known he will not be back with the Cardinals next season, carried 16 times for 73 yards. Turner, who rushed for 1,699 yards in the regular season, had 42 yards in 18 attempts.

Warner, in the playoffs for the first time since leading St. Louis to a second Super Bowl in 2001, was 19 of 32, 13 for 17 in the second half, for 271 yards. He was intercepted once.

“I hope this gives us a lot of confidence,” Warner said. “I knew we thought we could win this game. Hopefully, we can parlay this into some more confidence and know we can win wherever we have to go.”

Arizona will play at either the New York Giants or Carolina Panthers next weekend. Arizona has played both teams this season, losing 27-23 at Carolina on Oct. 26, and 37-29 at home to the Giants on Nov. 23.

Ryan, the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, completed 26 of 40 passes for 199 yards and two scores.

“I think you have to remember what we did as a team this year and we did some things well,” Ryan said. “We made some strides as a team as the year went on. But you have to use this as motivation. You don’t want to be here.”

The Cardinals went 9-7 to win a weak NFC West and make the playoffs for the first time in a decade. After clinching the division, they were blown out by Minnesota and New England before finishing the regular season with a win over Seattle.

Atlanta (11-5) finished a game behind Carolina in the tough NFC South and came in a winner of five of its last six. But from the start Arizona showed that, at least on this afternoon, it belonged in the postseason.

“A lot of people in Atlanta were giving us no chance,” Arizona safety Adrian Wilson said. “There was a lot of talk in the paper from them about how it was a blessing for them to come out here – but it’s not sweet out here.”

Cardinals 30, Falcons 24

Atlanta	0	17	0	7	–	24
Arizona	7	7	14	2	–	30

Ari – Fitzgerald 42 pass from Warner (Rackers kick)

Atl – FG Elam 30

Ari – Boldin 71 pass from Warner (Rackers kick)

Atl – Turner 7 run (Elam kick)

Atl – Peelle 2 pass from Ryan (Elam kick)

Ari – Rolle 27 fumble return (Rackers kick)

Ari – Hightower 4 run (Rackers kick)

Ari – Saftey, Ryan sacked by A.Smith in end zone

Atl – White 5 pass from Ryan (Elam kick)

	Atl	Ari
First downs	20	15
Total Net Yards	250	357
Rushes-yards	24-60	28-86
Passing	190	271
Punt Returns	3-31	2-(-1)
Kickoff Returns	2-54	5-86
Interceptions Ret.	1-0	2-3
Comp-Att-Int	26-40-2	19-32-1
Sacked-Yards Lost	3-9	0-0
Punts	5-42.4	6-39.8
Fumbles-Lost	2-1	0-0
Penalties-Yards	6-52	6-47
Time of Possession	29:58	30:02

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING – Atlanta, Turner 18-42, Norwood 2-12, Ryan 4-6. Arizona, James 16-73, Hightower 6-23, Warner 4-0, Arrington 1-(minus 2), Breaston 1-(minus 8).

PASSING – Atlanta, Ryan 26-40-2-199. Arizona, Warner 19-32-1-271.

RECEIVING – Atlanta, White 11-84, Jenkins 5-51, Peelle 3-11, Finneran 2-11, Pollard 2-7, Norwood 1-28, Turner 1-7, Douglas 1-0. Arizona, Fitgerald 6-101, Spach 3-34, Boldin 2-72, Breaston 2-39, Urban 2-7, James 1-9, Patrick 1-8, T.Smith 1-4, Arrington 1-(minus 3).