Last meeting
In Week 16 last year, the Falcons rallied from a 10-point deficit, but Kurt Warner engineered a drive that ended in a field goal to tie the game as time expired and another in overtime to give the Cardinals a 30-27 win.
Streaks
The Falcons have won four of the past five meetings and claim a 14-10 overall series lead. Check out the historical matchup of the last five games.
Last week
The Falcons outlasted the Rams, 31-27, but had to settle for the No. 5 seed when the Panthers beat the Saints. ... Kurt Warner threw four TD passes to lead the Cardinals over the Seahawks, 34-21.
Keep your eye on ...
The air show: This game features three of the NFC's four Pro Bowl receivers. Arizona should have its dangerous duo, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, together again after Boldin missed the last two games with a shoulder injury. Falcons star WR Roddy White set a franchise record this year for most receiving yards in a season. Their quarterbacks will enjoy throwing against mediocre pass defenses in the perfect conditions at University of Phoenix Stadium.
Fan feedback
How far will the winner of this game go in the playoffs?
** What are your thoughts?**
Dome sweet dome: The Cardinals have been hard to beat at home this season, winning six of eight contests at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Falcons, on the other hand, started the season by losing three of their first four games on the road. But Atlanta concluded the season by winning three of their final four road games, including one over the Vikings -- in a dome.
Rookie vs. veteran: At this time last year, Matt Ryan was beginning his final semester at Boston College. In 2009, the pressure to succeed in the playoffs might be too great for an untested QB. College is a distant memory for Warner, 37, but the playoffs are not. The two-time league MVP led the St. Louis Rams to two Super Bowl appearances and that experience could help his team navigate the road to Tampa.
Did you know?
Falcons RB Michael Turner scored his club-record 17th touchdown of the season last week. ... The Cardinals are 12-4 at home under coach Ken Whisenhunt. ... Ryan is the first Falcons quarterback to pass for more than 3,000 yards in a season since 1998.
