NFL Playoffs Begin: Atlanta Travels to Arizona, Comes Up Short 30-24

I have selected the Arizona Cardinals to beat rookie quarterback Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons.

Don't get me wrong. I like the way Atlanta has played this season. I just believe the playoffs are a different animal. Rookies are usually not in playoff games, and I expect mistakes.

On the other hand, Kurt Warner has been there before.

Let the game begin.

The Cardinals start on their own 12-yard line. Warner is under pressure quickly on a safety blitz and throws his first pass incomplete. Second-and-10.

Warner hit as he lets the ball go and it falls short, incomplete. Another blitz. Third-and-10. That's a completion, but it is short of a first down.

Atlanta takes over on the 47-yard line of Arizona in excellent field position. 1st down. Ryan play action fake, as he runs for 4 yards. 2nd and 6. Turner runs the ball for just a yard. 3rd and 5 to go. Ryan fires across the middle and its intercepted.

That was a bad throw as he stared down the receiver and tipped the defensive back off to where the pass was headed. There's mistake No. 1! How many of those can Ryan get away with?

Warner takes over and hands it to Edgerrin James, who gets six yards. A draw play to James again, who picks up a first down. James runs for his third straight carry for six yards.

This is a good plan for Arizona. Warner, on a flea-flicker to Fitzgerald in the end zone, Touchdown!

James loosened the defense up a bit, and bam, a great pass and a better catch. He was double-teamed and outjumped both defenders in just a normal catch for Fitzgerald.

If James continues to look strong running the ball, this could be a long day for the Falcons.

Arizona kicks to Atlanta, who downs the ball in the end zone, touchback. The Falcons will start on the 20-yard line.

Turner starts this drive with a run, and no gain. Movement by Atlanta, 2nd and 14.

This game is starting poorly for Atlanta. Turner is stopped after a short gain. Third and 12. This time, Ryan completes a pass for a first down.

1st and 10 from the 30. Ryan throws it away, thinking Arizona was offsides. They were not. Turner stopped in the backfield, for a loss. 3rd and 11 to go.

Atlanta must be shocked they cannot run the ball, so far, against the Arizona defensive line. Time out Atlanta, as they regroup and devise a strategy for another first down.

Ryan is sacked, and the Falcons must punt. Atlanta is out of their game right now, without the running game being effective. Arizona takes over for their third series of this game.

Arizona runs the ball again! James picks up a few yards. 2nd and 5. Warner passes to Fitzgerald again for a good gain. Edgerrin James gains another seven yards. Wow!

James is averaging 6.6 yards a carry, so far. It looks like Arizona and Atlanta switched uniforms, with the running game Arizona has established.

Arrington carries for a short loss. 3rd and 5. Warner throws incomplete, on a drop by Boldin. The Cardinals punt perfectly and Atlanta takes over on their own 5-yard line.

Turner runs for three yards. 2nd down and seven to go. Play action fake and that one is nearly picked off again. 3rd and seven to go.  Ryan is sacked again and Arizona will have to punt from their own end zone.

Arizona gets good field position, and starts on their own 45-yard line. Warner throws incomplete.  The Falcons blitz and Warner dumps it off, incomplete again. Through the hands of the Atlanta defender, incomplete. Arizona punts.

Great coverage by Arizona again and the Falcons start from their 8-yard line. Turner runs two yards to the 10. Ryan throws to White for a first down and some breathing room.

Turner runs for only one yard. 2nd and nine. They hand the ball to Norwood this time, and it is close to a first down. The first quarter ends with Arizona leading 7-0.

So far the game plan for Arizona seems to be establish the run threat with Edgerrin James, while taking away the back side run of Turner and the Falcons.

Turner gets his best run of the day, gaining 13 yards. Ryan throws 13 yards, for a first down to Jenkins. They are in Arizona territory at the 45-yard line. Another eight-yard pass to Turner. 2nd and 2. Turner runs for another first down.

This is Atlanta's best drive of the day. A huge hit by Arizona excites the crowd. 2nd and 11 to go. Ryan completes a pass, again, first down.  Ryan is 6 for 6 for 45 yards so far on this drive.

A fumble, but Atlanta recovers it. 2nd and 9. Penetration by the Cardinal defense and they stop Turner for a loss. 3rd and 10.

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