|
|
SEA |
ATL |
Ryan leads Falcons to NFC title game, beating Seattle 36-20
ATLANTA (AP) Matt Ryan hardly resembled a quarterback who can't win the big games.
No, this looked more like an MVP.
Returning to the postseason for the first time in four years, Ryan threw for 338 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Atlanta Falcons past the Seattle Seahawks 36-20 in the divisional round Saturday.
The Falcons are headed to the NFC championship game for only the fourth time in their 51-year history, and they're on quite a roll with Matty Ice at the helm.
He finished up to chants of "MVP! MVP! MVP" from a raucous Georgia Dome crowd that gave the Seahawks a dose of what it's like for opposing teams at CenturyLink Field.
''It was pretty cool considering the circumstances, too, with the game in hand,'' Ryan said. ''That's got to be as loud as it's ever been in here.''
Ryan turned in another dynamic performance in the best season of his career, shaking off a 1-4 record in his previous playoff appearances.
In an interesting twist, his lone postseason victory before Saturday was a 30-28 thriller over the Seahawks in the divisional round of the 2012 season.
Make it 2-0 over Seattle.
After the Seahawks zipped down the field for a touchdown on the opening possession, Atlanta's young defense largely shut down Russell Wilson & Co. the rest of the way.
Ryan and the high-scoring Falcons took it from there - getting a huge boost from a holding penalty that wiped out an 80-yard punt return by Devin Hester.
Ryan hooked up with Julio Jones on a 7-yard touchdown and Tevin Coleman for a 14-yard score before finishing off the Seahawks with a 3-yard toss to Mohamed Sanu in the corner of the end zone with just under 4 minutes remaining.
Atlanta (12-5) moves on to face either the Dallas Cowboys or the Green Bay Packers, who meet Sunday in the NFC's other divisional-round game.
After a 26-24 loss at Seattle during the regular season, the Falcons showed off all their offensive weapons against the Legion of Boom.
Eight players caught passes from Ryan, including running back Devonta Freeman on a 53-yard play that included a dazzling fake on replacement free safety Steven Terrell right in the middle of the field.
The Seahawks (11-6-1) sure missed Earl Thomas, out for the season with a broken leg.
''It's just really hard to think it's over,'' said coach Pete Carroll, whose team couldn't follow up a dominating win over Detroit in the opening round.
The game turned dramatically on a holding penalty in the second quarter that negated Hester's return to the Atlanta 7.
Instead of having first-and-goal and a chance to extend a 10-7 lead, Seattle was backed up to its 7.
''Just a ridiculously large play in the game,'' Carroll said.
Especially with what came next. After Thomas Rawls was thrown for a 3-yard loss, Wilson dropped back to pass. One problem: rookie right guard Rees Odhiambo, taking over after Germain Ifedi was injured, stepped back onto Wilson's foot, sending the quarterback tumbling down in the end zone for a safety.
The Falcons did much better when backed up at their 1, closing out the first half by going 99 yards to make it 19-10. The drive was extended by Sanu's brilliant, one-handed catch for 22 yards with Jeremy Lane grabbing at his arm.
''They've got a lot of momentum,'' Carroll said of the Falcons. ''This is what they looked like the last four weeks, and they carried that into this game against us.''
CLASSY MOVE
With 2 minutes to go, the Falcons had first-and-goal at the Seattle 2.
But Falcons coach Dan Quinn called for Ryan to take a knee, not wanting to pile it on against the team he previously worked for as defensive coordinator.
''It was a very classy way to end the game,'' Carroll said. ''I thought it was just another great statement on what a great dude he is and what a great coach he is and what a great job he is doing.''
Added Quinn: ''I likely would've done it other times, but especially with my respect for him.''
DYNAMIC HESTER
Facing his former team, Hester certainly had quite an impact on special teams.
Even though his longest play was wiped out, he had five kickoff returns for 194 yards, including a 78-yarder.
Hester, who played for the Falcons in 2014 and '15, signed with the Seahawks just before the playoffs.
INJURY REPORT
The Seahawks lost cornerback DeShawn Shead to what looks like a serious left knee injury. He may have torn his ACL, according to Carroll.
Seattle's tight ends also took a beating. Brandon Williams went out with a concussion, and Luke Willson was evaluated for a possible concussion.
The Falcons lost defensive end Adrian Clayborn with a biceps injury on Seattle's opening drive.
UP NEXT
If Green Bay upsets the Cowboys, the NFC championship game would be next weekend at the Georgia Dome, extending the 25-year-old stadium's tenure one more game.
The Falcons are moving to $1.5 billion Mercedes-Benz Stadium next season.
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Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963 . His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/paul-newberry .
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For more NFL coverage: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL
Copyright 2017 by STATS LLC. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC is strictly prohibited.
R. Wilson
3 QB 225 PaYds, 2 PaTDs, 2 INTs, 49 RuYds |
21
FPTS
|
|
M. Ryan
2 QB 338 PaYds, 3 PaTDs, -3 RuYds |
31
FPTS
|
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
Time of Pos | - | - |
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Red Zone Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Goal to Go Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
R. WilsonÂ
3 QB
21 FPTS
|
R. Wilson | 17/30 | 225 | 2 | 2 | 21 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
R. WilsonÂ
3 QB
21 FPTS
|
R. Wilson | 6 | 49 | 0 | 14 | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. RawlsÂ
34 RB
3 FPTS
|
T. Rawls | 11 | 34 | 0 | 11 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. CollinsÂ
36 RB
2 FPTS
|
A. Collins | 2 | 14 | 0 | 10 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. McKissicÂ
30 RB
0 FPTS
|
J. McKissic | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. BaldwinÂ
89 WR
14 FPTS
|
D. Baldwin | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 14 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
P. RichardsonÂ
10 WR
8 FPTS
|
P. Richardson | 5 | 4 | 83 | 0 | 40 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. BaldwinÂ
89 WR
14 FPTS
|
D. Baldwin | 9 | 5 | 80 | 1 | 31 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. GrahamÂ
88 TE
8 FPTS
|
J. Graham | 3 | 3 | 22 | 1 | 11 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. CollinsÂ
36 RB
2 FPTS
|
A. Collins | 4 | 2 | 17 | 0 | 12 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. ReeceÂ
44 FB
1 FPTS
|
M. Reece | 1 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. KearseÂ
15 WR
0 FPTS
|
J. Kearse | 3 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. McKissicÂ
30 RB
0 FPTS
|
J. McKissic | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. McEvoyÂ
19 WR
0 FPTS
|
T. McEvoy | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
L. WillsonÂ
82 TE
0 FPTS
|
L. Willson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
K. ChancellorÂ
31 SS
|
K. Chancellor | 7-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. LaneÂ
20 CB
|
J. Lane | 5-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. WrightÂ
50 OLB
|
K. Wright | 5-5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. ShermanÂ
25 CB
|
R. Sherman | 4-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. BennettÂ
72 DE
|
M. Bennett | 3-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. ReedÂ
90 DT
|
J. Reed | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. WagnerÂ
54 MLB
|
B. Wagner | 3-5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. ElliottÂ
21 CB
|
D. Elliott | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. ThorpeÂ
27 DB
|
N. Thorpe | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. RubinÂ
77 DT
|
A. Rubin | 2-1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
F. ClarkÂ
55 DE
|
F. Clark | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. WilsonÂ
3 QB
|
R. Wilson | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. SheadÂ
35 CB
|
D. Shead | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. FantÂ
74 T
|
G. Fant | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. AvrilÂ
56 DE
|
C. Avril | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. TerrellÂ
23 FS
|
S. Terrell | 1-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. MarshÂ
91 OLB
|
C. Marsh | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. CoyleÂ
52 OLB
|
B. Coyle | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. MorganÂ
57 OLB
|
M. Morgan | 0-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
S. HauschkaÂ
4 K
0 FPTS
|
S. Hauschka | 2/2 | 33 | 2/2 | 8 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
J. RyanÂ
9 P
|
J. Ryan | 2 | 59.5 | 1 | 60 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
D. HesterÂ
17 WR
0 FPTS
|
D. Hester | 5 | 38.8 | 78 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
D. Hester 17 WR
0 FPTS
|
D. Hester | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
M. RyanÂ
2 QB
31 FPTS
|
M. Ryan | 26/37 | 338 | 3 | 0 | 31 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
T. ColemanÂ
26 RB
13 FPTS
|
T. Coleman | 11 | 57 | 0 | 15 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. FreemanÂ
24 RB
18 FPTS
|
D. Freeman | 14 | 45 | 1 | 13 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. HardyÂ
16 WR
1 FPTS
|
J. Hardy | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. RyanÂ
2 QB
31 FPTS
|
M. Ryan | 3 | -3 | 0 | -1 | 31 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
D. FreemanÂ
24 RB
18 FPTS
|
D. Freeman | 5 | 4 | 80 | 0 | 53 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. GabrielÂ
18 WR
7 FPTS
|
T. Gabriel | 6 | 4 | 71 | 0 | 37 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. JonesÂ
11 WR
12 FPTS
|
J. Jones | 8 | 6 | 67 | 1 | 20 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. SanuÂ
12 WR
10 FPTS
|
M. Sanu | 5 | 4 | 44 | 1 | 22 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
L. ToiloloÂ
80 TE
2 FPTS
|
L. Toilolo | 4 | 2 | 26 | 0 | 18 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. ColemanÂ
26 RB
13 FPTS
|
T. Coleman | 4 | 3 | 22 | 1 | 14 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. HardyÂ
16 WR
1 FPTS
|
J. Hardy | 2 | 2 | 18 | 0 | 11 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. HooperÂ
81 TE
1 FPTS
|
A. Hooper | 1 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
P. DiMarcoÂ
42 FB
0 FPTS
|
P. DiMarco | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. RobinsonÂ
19 WR
0 FPTS
|
A. Robinson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
K. NealÂ
22 SS
|
K. Neal | 10-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. AlfordÂ
23 CB
|
R. Alford | 5-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. PooleÂ
34 CB
|
B. Poole | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. CollinsÂ
32 CB
|
J. Collins | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. CampbellÂ
59 OLB
|
D. Campbell | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. JonesÂ
45 MLB
|
D. Jones | 3-2 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. JarrettÂ
97 DT
|
G. Jarrett | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. ReedÂ
50 DE
|
B. Reed | 3-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. BabineauxÂ
95 DT
|
J. Babineaux | 3-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. GoodwinÂ
29 CB
|
C. Goodwin | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. GarlandÂ
63 C
|
B. Garland | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. WheelerÂ
41 OLB
|
P. Wheeler | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. PerkinsÂ
82 TE
|
J. Perkins | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
V. BeasleyÂ
44 OLB
|
V. Beasley | 0-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. HardyÂ
16 WR
|
J. Hardy | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. AllenÂ
37 FS
|
R. Allen | 0-2 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
M. BryantÂ
3 K
0 FPTS
|
M. Bryant | 2/2 | 35 | 4/4 | 10 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
M. BosherÂ
5 P
|
M. Bosher | 3 | 44.3 | 1 | 60 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
E. WeemsÂ
14 WR
0 FPTS
|
E. Weems | 1 | 18.0 | 18 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
E. Weems 14 WR
0 FPTS
|
E. Weems | 1 | 10.0 | 10 | 0 |