Not exactly.

Two-time MVP Kurt Warner outfoxing rookie Matt Ryan wasn't surprising Saturday in an NFC wild-card game at University of Phoenix Stadium.

But this was startling: The pass-happy Arizona Cardinals outran the run-crazy Atlanta Falcons, whose questionable strategy to abandon the run early and pass proved costly in a 30-24 loss.

What was rookie coach Mike Smith thinking? The Falcons turned a 4-12 finish last season into an 11-5 playoff team by running the ball down opponents' throats. Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood took enormous pressure off Ryan, motoring the NFL's No. 2 rushing attack.

So what do the Falcons do? They take flight after limited success running in the first quarter and put the ball and the season into Ryan's hands in his first playoff appearance. A team that ran the ball 56 percent in the regular season passed 63 percent Sunday.

It didn't work. Ryan was 26 of 40 for 199 yards, but was intercepted twice, sacked three times — once for a safety — and muffed a handoff the Cardinals turned into a 27-yard fumble recovery by Antrel Rolle.

Give credit to the Cardinals defense, maligned all year. Smith did. "They did a nice job getting off blocks. They did a very good job controlling the line of scrimmage."

Turner, who gained 1,699 yards rushing this season, managed only 42 on 18 carries. "They just played great football, period," he said. "Their defense was fired up and flying around all day."