Third and 5 to go. Warner runs for a first down. 1st and 10 at midfield. Edgerrin James carries two defenders for another first down. Tim Hightower carries for the first time tonight for a few yards.
Warner throws another completion for five yards. 3rd and two to go. A pass to James out of the backfield and another first down for Arizona.
This is looking to be a good drive for Arizona. Hightower runs it to the 20 yard line, 2nd and 5.
Hightower again for 3 yards. 3rd and 2. Warner buys some time and completes another pass, with good protection.
1st down, they hand the ball to Hightower and he races in for the touchdown. Arizona 28 , Atlanta 17.
Once again, the momentum has shifted, and right now it's all about the Cardinals.
That drive was 76 yards and 14 plays.
Arizona kicks off and Atlanta starts on their own 20 yard line, on a touchback.
Ryan throws another interception, with a huge mistake, as he held the ball way too long.
Arizona resumes the grind-it offense, with another run by Edgerrin James. 2nd and 5.
The Falcons were ready for James that time and they stop him. 3rd and 5. Warner throws it away. Arizona has to punt, and Atlanta dodged anther bullet.
The Falcons take over on their own 15 yard line. Turner draws a crowd and is tackled for no gain. 2nd and 10. Norwood gets the call and picks up 5 yards. 3rd and 5 as the third quarter ends.
Matt Ryan throws incomplete and the Falcons must punt. Fair catch for Arizona and they take over on their own 43-yard line. James gets more yards on the ground, and a face mask on Atlanta. A big 15-yard penalty.
1st and 10 on the 36 of Atlanta. The Falcons stop a screen and it 's 2nd and 13. A pass completion for a very short gain. It's 3rd and 11. Warner is hurried again, and they hold off Arizona again.
Another punt by Arizona. Another penalty on Atlanta and that moves them back to their own 1-yard line. They are in a very bad spot here. A safety is a distinct possibility.
Well, I called that one! Safety as the defensive lineman wraps up Ryan. 30-17.
Arizona now gets the ball back on the free kick. Arizona starts on about their own 15 yard line after a penalty for excessive celebration after the safety.
The rookie quarterback has not been bad, but as I suspected, a couple of key mistakes have him in a hole.
Arizona starts with a quick toss to Fitzgerald for a good gain. 2nd and two to go. Another first down run for James. False start on Arizona, 1st and 15. Warner completes another pass for a short gain. 2nd and 9.
Holding on the Cardinals, 2nd and 19. Hightower runs for about 8 yards. 3rd and 11.
Warner throws complete again, but short of a first down. Arizona punts.
Atlanta takes over on their own 41-yard line.
There is still plenty of time, but Ryan cannot afford any more mistakes in this game.
Ryan starts with a long pass, incomplete. 2nd and 10 to go. There's a completion but short of a first down, 3rd and six. Ryan's pass, incomplete. 4th and six. Atlanta goes for it. Norwood for a huge gain for 30 yards on a pass from Ryan.
Ryan completes another pass. Ryan throws again for a completion, then runs on the next play for a first down.
Offsides on Arizona, 1st and 5 at the 10. A pass completion for five yards, and another first down. First and goal for Atlanta. Ryan throws the next pass for a touchdown. That was a great drive. Arizona 30, Atlanta 24.
This game is really good. All Arizona needs now is a field goal to put this game on ice.
Atlanta needs to stop Arizona without a time-consuming drive to have a chance. 4:15 to go in this game.
Arrington returns the kick-off to the 20 yard line, where Warner will start.
A pass down the field to Larry Fitzgerald for 15 yards, on a perfectly run pass route. A short play to James and Atlanta calls a timeout with 3:18 left. 2nd and 10. Warner hits another pass for a big gain and another first down in Atlanta territory.
Hightower runs and Atlanta calls another time out. 2:21 left to go. 2nd and 8. One more first down is all Arizona needs.
An end around call that gets stuffed. 3rd and 15. That was a huge stop.
Warner hits his tight end for 22 yards and a first down. That takes it down to the two-minute warning and Atlanta is out of time outs.
So the first road team goes down in the playoffs.
I had a funny feeling about this game as too, as many people had taken Atlanta to win.
Warner takes a knee and this one is over. Cardinals win 30-24 in the first game of the playoffs.
Look for my next playoff recap with the Chargers taking on the Colts next!
Thomas [ NFL Mikee ] Moreland
We're going to send you the most entertaining Arizona Cardinals articles, videos, and podcasts from around the web.
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