Matt Ryan and Julio Jones celebrate an Atlanta touchdown (Getty)
Final Score
Seahawks – 7 – 3 – 3 – 7 20
Falcons – 0 – 19 – 7 – 10 36
The Atlanta Falcons are now one win away from their first Super Bowl appearance since the 1999 season, as they defeated the Seattle Seahawks 36-20 at the Georgia Dome. Matt Ryan threw for 338 yards and three touchdowns on the day, with five players catching three pass or more. The Falcons outscored Seattle 19-3 in the second quarter, grabbing control of the game thanks to their high-powered offense.
Russell Wilson threw for 225 yards and two touchdowns for Seattle, but he also threw two interceptions as Atlanta did a better job of getting pressure on the the quarterback after Seattle’s game-opening drive. Next up for the Falcons will be either Green Bay or Dallas in next Sunday’s NFC Championship Game. And if there’s a concern for Atlanta going into preparations for that game it’s the health of wide receiver Julio Jones. Jones left Saturday’s game in the second half with a foot injury.
Should Green Bay beat the Cowboys, Atlanta would host the NFC Championship Game and ensure one more game at the Georgia Dome. The franchise will move next door to Mercedez Benz Stadium next season.
Below are the highlights and scoring drive information from Saturday’s game.
6:26 remaining, first quarter: On the first possession of the game Seattle marched down the field, going 89 yards in 14 plays to score the game’s first points. Russell Wilson connected with tight end Jimmy Graham on a seven-yard pass to end the drive. Wilson completed all four of his pass attempts on the drive for 40 yards, with Thomas Rawls leading the way on the ground with 29 yards on six carries.
Jimmy Graham 7 yd Pass for a Seahawks TD,
Seahawks 7
Falcons 0
6:26 1st
#NFLPlayoffs #Seahawks #RiseUp #SEAvsATL
14:14 remaining, second quarter: The Falcons responded in kind on their first possession, going 75 yards in 13 plays to tie the score. Matt Ryan’s seven-yard pass to Julio Jones finished off the drive. Ryan completed six of his seven pass attempts for 47 yards, with Jones responsible for three of those completions. Devonta Freeman rushed for 12 yards and Tevin Coleman 11 on the drive.
Matt Ryan finds Julio Jones for the 7-yard TD, and we have a tie game! #RiseUp #SEAvsATL #NFLPlayoffs
11:18 remaining, second quarter: Seattle retook the lead on a 33-yard field goal by Steven Hauschka. Seattle went 40 yards in six plays, with the big playing being a 33-yard pass from Wilson to wide receiver Paul Richardson. Wilson attempted to connect with Doug Baldwin on 3rd and 6 from the Atlanta 16, but his pass was just off the mark.
9:22 remaining, second quarter: After a holding penalty negated a Devin Hester punt return that would have placed Seattle inside the Atlanta 10, the Falcons picked up two points on a safety. A lineman stepped on Wilson’s foot, with the quarterback falling into the end zone as a result.
#El5ALas5XEl5 Safety para #RiseUp y ahora Atlanta recibirá el balón ¡EN VIVO! aquí en TDcom t.co/9edwmL23DM
6:06 remaining, second quarter: The Falcons took the lead for the first time, as Matt Bryant’s field goal attempt from 35 yards out split the uprights. Ryan and receiver Taylor Gabriel combined for a 37-yard pass play to open the series, but Atlanta saw their drive stall shortly thereafter. Michael Bennett’s second down sack was the key play for the Seattle defense on that drive.
0:53 remaining, second quarter
: The Falcons strike again, with Ryan finding Coleman for a 14-yard touchdown pass in the final minute of the half. Atlanta began the drive on its own 1-yard line, going 99 yards in nine plays. During the regular season the Falcons had ten touchdown drives that began at their own 10-yard line or worse, which was the most in the NFL. #El5ALas5XEl5 ¡Touchdown #RiseUp! Matt Ryan conecta con Tevin Coleman ¡EN VIVO! aquí en TDcom t.co/9edwmL23DM 9:12 remaining, third quarter: Atlanta opened the second half with another quality drive, going 75 yards in 13 plays to extend their lead to 16 points. Freeman capped the drive with a one-yard touchdown run, and he rushed for 23 yards on the drive. topsportsplays: Devonta Freeman brings it within inches for the Falcons … Fox NFL Playoff: … t.co/l2N7E2iiFv 3:07 remaining, third quarter The Seahawks managed to move three points closer, as Hauschka made a 26-yard field goal. Seattle went 80 yards in 14 plays, with an Atlanta special teams penalty extending the drive. Two plays after the penalty, Wilson and Paul Richardson connected on a 40-yard pass play to move into Falcons territory. 14:57 remaining, fourth quarter: Seattle’s defense continues to struggle to get Atlanta off the field, with the Falcons adding three more points to push the lead back out to 16 points. Ryan and Freeman combined for a 53-yard pass that was the biggest play of the drive, with Bryant’s 31-yard field goal being the capper. 3:40 remaining, fourth quarter: The Falcons put the game away with an eight-play drive that went 46 yards. Ryan’s three-yard pass to Mohamed Sanu capped the drive, giving Atlanta a 36-13 lead. Ryan’s thrown for 334 yards and three touchdowns without an interception against one of the NFL’s best defenses. 3:21 remaining, fourth quarterSeattle moves a little closer, as Wilson found Doug Baldwin for a 31-yard touchdown pass. The Seahawks got in position to score thanks to Devin Hester, who ran a kickoff back 78 yards. One play later the Seahawks were back to within 16 points, but Sanu recovered the ensuing onside kick for Atlanta. mattclapp: Devin freakin’ Hester Fox NFL Playoff: Seahawks at Falcons t.co/lhKZPhwcI6 
