by D. ORLANDO LEDBETTER; Staff , The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Cardinals' small but quick defense throttled Atlanta's offense in a 30-24 victory in the wild card round of the NFC playoffs at University of Phoenix Stadium.

"I'm disappointed," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "Our whole Football team is disappointed with the outcome of the Football game today, but we are not discouraged."

The Falcons finished their Cinderella season 11-6. The Cardinals advanced in the playoffs with a 10-7 record. The Cardinals will now face either the New York Giants or the Carolina Panthers.

Just a year removed from losing quarterback Michael Vick to a federal dogfighting investigation and coach Bobby Petrino with three games left in the season, the Falcons shocked so many and ended their four-year playoff drought.

It was a season where the ball usually bounced the Falcons' way, as they won one game in the final 11 seconds and silenced critics with road victories at Green Bay, San Diego and Minnesota.

But against the Cardinals, the ball bounced against the Falcons.

The Falcons' normally steady offense committed two costly turnovers (three total) that the Cardinals weaved into 14 points. The offensive line had trouble creating room for running back Michael Turner and gave up three sacks and a safety.

Matt Ryan, who was named the league's offensive rookie of the year last week, threw two interceptions. Turner, who rushed for 1,699 yards during the regular season, was held to 42 yards --- which tied a season-low --- on 18 carries.

"It just seemed like they had guys everywhere," Turner said. "They crowded the line of scrimmage. It seemed like they knew what play we were about to run and then guys were just there waiting on me."

Perhaps most troubling for the Falcons was that their defense could not hold the worst rushing attack in the league and could not get a stop in the final 4:15 to get the ball back for the offense.

But the season, by any measure, certainly has to be considered a success.

All the moves that first-year general manager Thomas Dimitroff made seemed to work. Coupled with the ability of Smith to communicate and rally the team, the Falcons put together a surprising season, while in the midst of "retooling."

But in this playoff appearance, their first since the 2004 team reached the NFC championship game, the Falcons did not get off to one of their trademark fast starts.

The key play came early in the second half.

Arizona defensive tackle Darnell Dockett pushed guard Harvey Dahl all the way back into the handoff. Turner never got the ball as it bounced into hands of Arizona safety Antrel Rolle, who returned it 27 yards for a touchdown to make it 21-17.

Dahl was not the only lineman to have a rough day. Tackles Todd Weiner, Sam Baker and Tyson Clabo all gave up sacks.

"They did a very good job controlling the line of scrimmage," Smith said.

The offensive line had struggles of its own. The Cardinals passed for 271 yards on the Falcons secondary.

Both of their Pro Bowl receivers, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, scored. Fitzgerald caught six passes for 101 yards. Boldin caught two passes for 72 yards, including a 71-yard touchdown on which he was injured with a left hamstring strain.

"It's frustrating to make it to the playoffs and make mistakes," cornerback Chris Houston said. "But last year we were 4-and-whatever. This year we are 11-6. We have come a long way. Next year, we have positive things to look forward to. In the big picture, we are such a young team and we'll be back next year."

Some of the veterans took the defeat pretty hard.

"I'm in this thing to win it right now, and obviously we came up short," linebacker Keith Brooking said. "I thought we had a team that could do what nobody else thought we could. This is tough."

The season seemed to rejuvenate some of the older players, who had to battle through last season's three-ring circus.

"It's been fun and I think guys will look forward to next season, and that's not always the case," Weiner said. "Sometimes you just have that sour taste in your mouth."

Smith wasn't ready to reflect on the Falcons season.

"We plan on being back in this situation," Smith said. "We want to remember how this feels."

DEFINING MOMENTS

A look at the four key plays that decided the outcome of the Falcons' playoff loss to the Cardinals on Saturday.

1. The Flea Flicker: The Cardinals scored first when the Falcons bit on the trick play and Kurt Warner found Larry Fitzgerald on a 42-yard touchdown pass.

2. The Boldin Impact: Hampered by a hamstring injury, Anquan Boldin turned a short pass into a 71-yard touchdown. The previous five Cardinals plays resulted in a single yard.

3. The Fumble: On the second play of the second half, the Falcons fumbled a handoff between Matt Ryan and Michael Turner. The ball was plucked out of midair by Antrel Rolle and returned 27 yards for a touchdown, giving the Cardinals the lead for good.

4. The Conversion: With the Falcons trailing by six points and needing the ball back for one last drive, the Cardinals converted a third-and-16 pass when Warner (right) hit Stephen Spach for a 23-yard gain. The Cardinals ran out the final two minutes.

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