Which Cardinals team will show up? The one that opened the season 7-3, including home wins over previously-unbeaten Buffalo and Dallas? Or the one that cratered at season’s end, stumbling to a 9-7 finish and resulting in deflating quotes such as this one from Kurt Warner:

When asked if the team’s confidence was waning, he added, “I think so. I mean, you put a couple of performances together like we have the last two weeks and you definitely don’t feel invincible.”

Lost amid the chatter of how terrific rookie QB Matt Ryan was this season for the Falcons: He struggled down the stretch. Perhaps struggle is too harsh of a word, but in the final four games, he threw five interceptions against just three scores, and two of his worst three QB rating games occurred in those final four games. Also worth noting: Atlanta went 3-1 in those games to get into the playoffs, and nearly stole the No. 2 seed from Carolina. Are we looking for anything to back up our Arizona prediction? Probably.

We’re not entirely sure yet how we’ll react to watching Atlanta vs. Arizona in the playoffs. It just sounds odd, doesn’t it? When you hear Atlanta, do you still think of Mike Vick? Does Arizona recall days of Jake Plummer? That seems to be the last time either of these teams mattered.

While Atlanta seems to be building something with Ryan and Turner at the nucleus, if Arizona loses, the team could find itself at a crossroads.

Kurt Warner is a free agent, and if he is re-signed, Matt Leinart surely will ask for a trade. Edgerrin James is on his way out, leaving the team without an established running back. Anquan Boldin has two years left on his contract, and his stance has not changed one bit. He believes the organization lied to him, and his situation needs to be resolved.

Seattle’s going to rebound next year. Maybe Singletary’s 49ers carry their second half success into next year. Who knows how long it could be before Arizona reaches the postseason again.