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Warner inspires Cards to victory
Source: Agencies |
January 5, 2009, Monday
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VETERAN quarterback Kurt Warner threw two touchdown passes before orchestrating an Arizona Cardinals comeback and a gripping 30-24 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in their NFC wildcard playoff on Saturday in Phoenix, Arizona.
NFC West champions Arizona raced into an early 14-3 lead but trailed 17-14 at halftime before taking control with 14 unanswered points in the third quarter.
Despite having lost four of their last six games in the regular season, the Cardinals held off Atlanta's much-vaunted rushing offense with running back Edgerrin James outgaining Michael Turner, the league's No.2 rusher.
Competing in their first playoff game at home in 61 years in front of a highly enthusiastic, capacity crowd at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, the Cardinals outscored the Atlanta Falcons by four touchdowns to three.
"I hope this gives us a lot of confidence," a beaming Warner said after completing 19 of 32 passes for 271 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
"I knew we believed we could win this game. I hope we can parlay this into some more confidence and believe we can go wherever we have to go and win."
The Cardinals will next meet either the New York Giants or the Carolina Panthers away next weekend.
"In the playoffs, you've gotta go on the road and you've gotta win wherever they put you," said the 37-year-old Warner, back in the Pro Bowl for the first time since the 2001 season.
The Cardinals opened the scoring with a superb touchdown early in the first quarter, receiver Larry Fitzgerald leaping salmon-like in the end zone to grab a 42-yard pass from Warner. Neil Rackers converted to put Arizona 7-0 ahead.
Jason Elam kicked a 30-yard field goal for the Falcons to cut the deficit to 7-3, but Warner delivered a short pass to his left to connect with receiver Anquan Boldin on a 71-yard touchdown.
Dominating possession and territory, the Cardinals stretched their advantage to 28-17 after running back Tim Hightower scored on a four-yard run into the left corner of the end zone.
NFC West champions Arizona raced into an early 14-3 lead but trailed 17-14 at halftime before taking control with 14 unanswered points in the third quarter.
Despite having lost four of their last six games in the regular season, the Cardinals held off Atlanta's much-vaunted rushing offense with running back Edgerrin James outgaining Michael Turner, the league's No.2 rusher.
Competing in their first playoff game at home in 61 years in front of a highly enthusiastic, capacity crowd at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, the Cardinals outscored the Atlanta Falcons by four touchdowns to three.
"I hope this gives us a lot of confidence," a beaming Warner said after completing 19 of 32 passes for 271 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
"I knew we believed we could win this game. I hope we can parlay this into some more confidence and believe we can go wherever we have to go and win."
The Cardinals will next meet either the New York Giants or the Carolina Panthers away next weekend.
"In the playoffs, you've gotta go on the road and you've gotta win wherever they put you," said the 37-year-old Warner, back in the Pro Bowl for the first time since the 2001 season.
The Cardinals opened the scoring with a superb touchdown early in the first quarter, receiver Larry Fitzgerald leaping salmon-like in the end zone to grab a 42-yard pass from Warner. Neil Rackers converted to put Arizona 7-0 ahead.
Jason Elam kicked a 30-yard field goal for the Falcons to cut the deficit to 7-3, but Warner delivered a short pass to his left to connect with receiver Anquan Boldin on a 71-yard touchdown.
Dominating possession and territory, the Cardinals stretched their advantage to 28-17 after running back Tim Hightower scored on a four-yard run into the left corner of the end zone.
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