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Warner, Cardinals get back on track, top Seahawks

Dec 29, 2008 - 5:22 AM GLENDALE, Arizona (Ticker) -- The Arizona Cardinals gained some much-needed momentum Sunday prior to their playoff game next weekend and sent Mike Holmgren out in losing fashion in the process.

Kurt Warner threw for 263 yards and four touchdowns as the Cardinals defeated the Seattle Seahawks, 34-21, in Holmgren's final game on the sideline.

Larry Fitzgerald had 130 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns to help the Cardinals win for just the second time in six games. But Arizona managed to get back on track offensively in this one after being outscored, 82-21, in the last two losses.

"We were just trying to play well and establish some confidence and momentum going in," Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "Our opponents are going to dictate what we do and we will try to match up what we do best."

Warner completed 19-of-30 passes and also threw touchdowns to Steve Breaston and Jerheme Urban. Edgerrin James also ran for 100 yards on 14 carries.

Arizona (9-7) suffered back-to-back blowout losses to Minnesota and New England after clinching the NFC West as it limped toward its first home playoff game since 1947, when the team was located in Chicago.

The Cardinals will host the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday at 4:30 in the NFC wild card round.

"Obviously we have confidence going into the playoffs from the way we played today and if we continue to play this way I am excited," Whisenhunt said.

Breaston joined Fitzgerald and the injured Anquan Boldin to become just the fifth set of three teammates in NFL history to pull in 75-plus receptions in one season.

Boldin, who missed his second straight game while nursing a shoulder injury, was not needed Sunday as fellow Pro Bowler Fitzgerald carried the load.

Fitzgerald broke a 14-14 tie with a 38-yard touchdown catch midway through the third quarter. Breaston had a 14-yard score on the Cardinals' next possession as Arizona finished off a perfect 6-0 mark against division opponents this season.

"Those guys continue to show up week in and week out," Warner said. "He (Fitzgerald) is one of those guys that's been there all year are continuing to make big plays. We knew we were going to need him today.

"We were going to need some guys step up and make big plays with Anquan out. The next guy you turn to is No. 11 (Fitzgerald), and he definitely did not disappoint."

Matt Leinart played the fourth quarter at quarterback for the Cardinals and led them on a pair of field goal drives.

James got double-digit carries for the first time since Week 5, leaving the starting running back for the Cardinals' playoff game in doubt. Tim Hightower had been receiving the majority of carries since then.

"I thought that at this time of the season, in a game like this especially going into the playoffs, Edge with his experience - and we said earlier in the season - that we would need him at some point," Whisenhunt said. "Give him credit, he worked and did a good job tonight. I am not down on Tim Hightower, but we will play for Atlanta and see which is the best fit."

The loss ended a disappointing campaign for Holmgren, who announced prior to the season it would be his last at the helm for Seattle (4-12).

"It's interesting - I started talking to the team (in the locker room) and I couldn't talk," Holmgren said. "I'm an emotional coach anyway and I told them I'd visit with them tomorrow during the meeting because if I tried to do it now, it'd be ridiculous.

"They mean a lot to me and the thing I'll miss the most are the players, obviously. I love coaching and it has been great to me and my family and I think I'm going to handle this OK, but we'll see."

Holmgren finished his 10-year career with the Seahawks at 86-74, including an appearance in Super Bowl XL in 2006. However, his final season was marred with injuries as Seattle finished with its worst record during his tenure.

"Here in Seattle, he turned this franchise around," said quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who missed the final four games with a back injury. "I got here in time for the hard times and was able to go through the journey of turning it around with him. I think that's his legacy. I'm just really happy that I got to be a part of it."

T.J Duckett staked Seattle to an early 7-0 lead on a 1-yard touchdown run, but Warner connected with Urban and Fitzgerald for second-quarter scores.

Seneca Wallace threw a pair of touchdown strikes to Deion Branch, including a 30-yard score with 3:06 remaining in the first half to knot the score, 14-14.

Wallace finished 24-of-43 for 250 yards and two interceptions.