Kurt Warner has 48 300-plus yard passing games in his career, fifth in NFL history. He trails Dan Marino, Brett Favre, Dan Fouts and Warren Moon. Warner's 48 came in just 109 games, however, a 44 percent rate. That's by far the highest percentage all-time among players with a 100 games played. Marino leads all passers with 63 300-yard games but needed 242 games to do it (26 percent).

LOCAL CONNECTION

Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt is a graduate of Georgia Tech. When he finished at Georgia Tech, he ranked second on the school's all-time receiving yardage list (1,264 yards) and fourth in career receptions (82). He was a consensus All-Atlantic Coast Conference and honorable mention All-America selection as a senior in 1984. He played tight end for the Falcons from 1985-88.

MATCHUPS

The Cardinals pass offense ended the regular season ranked No. 2 in the NFL, averaging 292.1 yards a game. They feature three 1,000-yard receivers. The Falcons pass defense is ranked No. 21 in the league, allowing 220.4 yards.

THEY SAID IT

"Is Atlanta's defense up to the task of a championship run?

"Here's a pattern that has served the Falcons well in their amazing turnaround under first-year coach Mike Smith and rookie quarterback Matt Ryan: When Atlanta has scored first this season, it is 11-0. When its opponent scores first, Atlanta is 0-5. Fast starts undoubtedly take pressure off a 24th-ranked defense that didn't have a Pro Bowler.

"Now the first postseason task is a tough matchup against the Cardinals' explosive offense. No defense enters the playoffs with fewer takeaways than Atlanta's unit [18]. Then again, the Falcons have the league's No. 2-ranked rushing attack, propelled by the 1-2 backfield punch of Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood. And that can go far in controlling the clock and keeping the opposing offense off the field."

--- JARRETT BELL, USA Today

PLAYOFF ROAD

The Falcons finished the regular season with a 1,000-yard rusher (Michael Turner) and a 1,000-yard receiver (Roddy White) for the eighth time in franchise history. Atlanta made playoff appearances in the seven previous seasons the team accomplished the feat.

ODDS ARE

The line on the game continues to have the Falcons as a 2 1/2 point favorite at Arizona.