FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Cardinals may have the league's second-best passing attack but the Falcons spent time this week preparing for every aspect of their playoff opponents' game -- even if it includes the NFL's worst numbers in running the football.
"We're not overlooking it," safety Lawyer Milloy said. "The No. 1 thing we're always trying to do is force the offense into being a one-dimensional team. The easiest way to do that is to stop the running game. We're going to go in and respect their running game and hopefully get them into a predictable offense, which is the passing game. Hopefully (we can) put some points on the board early and dictate the game."
Arizona has a Pro Bowler at quarterback (Kurt Warner) and both wide receiver positions (Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin) but the Falcons want to put them into passing situations. That allows John Abraham to stay in pass rush mode and add to his team-high 16.5 sacks.
The Falcons are 6-0 this season with 13 sacks and eight interceptions when opponents attempt 35 or more passes .
Stopping the run is also a point of pride for the Falcons defense, which allowed a season-high 206 yards in Week 17. That's a noticeable increase for a team that allowed LaDainian Tomlinson to the second-lowest single-game total of his career earlier in the season.
"It's definitely going to be a great challenge," Abraham said. "I guess I'm a good pass rusher so for me to have a team that throws a lot is a good thing (but) I really feel like they're going to try to run the ball on us. The last couple of weeks we've been giving up runs here and there. We made Steven Jackson look like Walter Payton last week."
Edgerrin James is a familiar name at running back for the Cardinals but he has just 514 yards on the season. Rookie Tim Hightower leads the team with 10 rushing touchdowns but, as a group, the Cardinals haven't matched Michael Turner's individual numbers of 1,699 yards and 17 touchdowns.
When forcing the pass, the Falcons like their chances keeping big-play receivers in check over the course of the game.
"Those are two great wide receivers that are going to make catches," starting cornerback Chris Houston said. "We just have to try to control them. We've been dealing with that all season with the guys we've been facing... We've faced the best in the game so we just have to come out with an attitude, know they're going to make some plays and just bounce back and keep fighting."
MORE STORY LINES: The Falcons are 4-4 on the road this season but are careful not to get over confident for Saturday's game. The team continued it's work with simulated crowd noise this week and expects the crowd to exude playoff energy.
"We're anticipating it's going to be loud whether it's open or closed," Head Coach Mike Smith said, referring to the retractable roof at University of Phoenix Stadium. "When we play on the road we always go with crowd noise... I think it's going to be a very loud environment and we've played in some loud places -- Minnesota and New Orleans -- so we are used to it. (But) this is going to be a playoff game so it's going to be ramped up a little more."
But that's just one of the various other story lines for this week's game:
- NOTEBOOK: Special teams carry NFL record into playoffs
- BLOG: Falconcast: Keys to the Cardinals Game
- BLOG: Lifting Weights, Staying Strong
- MATCHUP: More game info from NFL.com
- BIRDSEED: Get a gauge on what the media is saying about this game
SHUFFLING THE CARDS: The health of Abraham and Milloy are at issue for the Falcons. Abraham (thigh/shoulder) did not practice Tuesday or Wednesday and Milloy (back) was limited on the field. He missed the season-finale, as did defensive end Jamaal Anderson. It was Milloy's first missed start since 2004.
"I'm very blessed not to have had a lot of injuries in my career," said Milloy, who is third on the team with 117 tackles. "I think that's credited to how I approach the game and how I play it. Last week I tried to get ready to go on Sunday and it just didn't feel like I'd be able to put my product on the field in a positive way."
Click here for the complete Saint Joseph's Hospital Injury Report.
THE SKINNY: The Cardinals passing game can't do any damage on the sidelines so running the football -- a staple of the Falcons success -- becomes important in chewing up time.
"It's huge being able to run the ball in the postseason and being able to run the clock and keep opposing offenses off the field," center Todd McClure said. "That's what we look to try to get going -- get our running game going early and protect the ball and I think we'll have success."
The Falcons have momentum in this regard, winning three straight games and rushing for 263 yards in last week's win over the Rams. The Cardinals had a good rushing day a week ago but lost four of their last six.
"You go into the playoffs with positive energy and the team feeling good about themselves," McClure said. "I definitely feel like we're one of the hottest teams and hopefully we can keep that trend going."
NUMBERS, NOTES AND COLORS: Some digits, info and hues to get you ready for Saturday's playoff game against the Cardinals..
- The Falcons will wear white jerseys against the Cardinals.
- Atlanta is 8-0 this season when scoring on the first drive of the game.
- The Falcons have won four out of their last five games against the Cardinals, the only loss was last season (30-27 in overtime).
- Though sporting similar defenses on the stat sheet, the Falcons have an advantage in opponent points per game (20.3). That's 11th best in the league.
- Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt played tight end for the Falcons from 1985-88.
MORE ON THE FALCONS-CARDINALS GAME:
- SCOUTING REPORT: Birds prepare for test from high-powered offense
- FALCONCAST: J.Mike and Matt preview the Falcons-Cardinals game
- NFL FILMS: More on this weekend's playoff matchup from NFL Films
- BIRDSEED: J. Mike offers daily recap of Falcons news from across the Web
- GAME CENTER: Stats and more from NFL.com
- NOTEBOOK: Special teams carry NFL record into playoffs
- PREVIEW PACK: More on the Falcons-Cardinals playoff game
- RELEASE: Ryan named Offensive Rookie of the Year | What They're Saying
- BLOGS: More Falcons news from the AF.com blog crew
- J. MIKE'S MISSIVES: News and comment from the Managing Editor
- TWIGS: Project Notes: Intro Video Visual Effects
- FLIPPING OUT: Cheerleader of the Game: Part 1 | Part 2
- VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith | Ryan | Jenkins | McClure | Abraham | Turner | Houston
- FOE AUDIO: Kurt Warner | Ken Whisenhunt
- NFL NETWORK: Anatomy of a Play | Birds of Flight
- VANTAGE POINT: Highlights from the Falcons victory over St. Louis
- RELEASE: Falcons365 store locations to close
- TRANSCRIPT: Smith, Falcons turn attention toward Cardinals
