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Warner guides Cardinals to playoff win against Falcons

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-01-04 10:59

PHOENIX - Veteran quarterback Kurt Warner threw two touchdown passes before orchestrating an Arizona Cardinals fightback and a gripping 30-24 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in their NFC wildcard playoff on Saturday.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt (2nd L) has water dumped on him after his team's victory over Atlanta Falcons in their NFL Wild Card Round playoff football game in Glendale, Arizona, January 3, 2009. [Agencies]

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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, Arizona held off Atlanta's much-vaunted rushing offense with running back Edgerrin James outgaining Michael Turner, the league's number two rusher.

Competing in their first playoff game at home in 61 years in front of a capacity crowd at the University of Phoenix Stadium, the Cardinals outscored the Falcons by four touchdowns to three.