Falcons Clip Seahawks, Head To NFC Championship
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Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images(ATLANTA) — The Atlanta Falcons blew a big lead, and two Matts bailed them out.
Matt Bryant hit a 49-yard field goal with eight seconds left to lift the Falcons over the Seattle Seahawks, 30-28 in the NFC Divisional round of the playoffs and clinched a berth in the NFC championship game.
Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan had to bring his team down the field after the Seahawks took a 28-27 lead on a Marshawn Lynch touchdown run with under a minute left. The touchdown completed a big comeback for the Seahawks after being down 27-7 after the third quarter.
“Our quarterback is a special player,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “They call him Matty Ice, but I feel like we’ve got two Matty Ices. There’s Matty Ice Ryan and Matty Ice Bryant.”
The Falcons built their lead on the strength of running back Michael Turner, who had 98 yards rushing. Ryan also threw for 250 yards and three touchdowns in his first playoff victory.
Atlanta will face the San Francisco 49ers with a Super Bowl berth on the line next Sunday.
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