SB Nation Atlanta: All Posts by Bryan Kilpatrickhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46601/atlanta-fave.png2013-03-12T19:56:43-04:00https://atlanta.sbnation.com/authors/bryan-kilpatrick/rss2013-03-12T19:56:43-04:002013-03-12T19:56:43-04:00Bracketology: Duke, Louisville among top seeds
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<figcaption>Kevin Jairaj-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Duke and Louisville are currently projected as No. 1 seeds in the upcoming NCAA Tournament despite neither team winning their league's regular-season title.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/duke-blue-devils">Duke Blue Devils</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/indiana-hoosiers">Indiana Hoosiers</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/louisville-cardinals">Louisville Cardinals</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/gonzaga-bulldogs">Gonzaga Bulldogs</a> project as the No. 1 seeds for the 2013 NCAA Tournament, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2013/3/12/4091312/2013-bracketology-bubble-watch-ncaa-basketball">according to SB Nation's resident bracketologist, Chris Dobbertean</a>.</p>
<p align="center"><i>For more on this story, head over to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bloggingthebracket.com">Blogging the Bracket</a>.</i></p>
<p align="left">Neither the Blue Devils nor the Cardinals won the regular-season title in their respective leagues, but the overall resumes of the two perennial powers outweigh that of the ACC and Big East winners. As such, Dobbertean predicts the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/miami-hurricanes">Miami Hurricanes</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/georgetown-hoyas">Georgetown Hoyas</a> will settle for No. 2 seeds.</p>
<p align="left">Gonzaga, the nation's current No. 1 overall team, dominated the West Coast Conference during the regular season and tournament. Meanwhile, Indiana won the Big Ten -- a seven-bid league, per Dobbertean -- outright.</p>
<p align="left">At the other end of the bracket, the last four teams in as of Tuesday morning are the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/kentucky-wildcats">Kentucky Wildcats</a>, St. Mary's Gaels, Iowa State Cyclones and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/tennessee-volunteers">Tennessee Volunteers</a>. Just missing Dobbertean's cut are the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/virginia-cavaliers">Virginia Cavaliers</a>, Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, Ole Miss Rebels and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/baylor-bears">Baylor Bears</a>.</p>
<h4>More in College Basketball:</h4>
<p>• <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2013/3/12/4093662/2013-ncaa-tournament-autobids-teams?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">Tracking the NCAA Tournament auto-bids</a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2013/3/12/4091312/2013-bracketology-bubble-watch-ncaa-basketball?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">The latest Bracketology</a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.cougcenter.com/2013/3/11/4089834/ncaa-tournament-bubble-watch-bracket-projection-bracketology?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">Projecting the bracket with Easy Bubble Solver</a></p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2013/3/12/4091940/2013-big-east-tournament-preview-louisville-georgetown-syracuse-otto-porter?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">Previewing the Big East tournament</a><a></a></p>
<p><a> </a></p>
<p><a>• </a><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/big-ten-basketball-tournament?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom">Big Ten Tournament: Complete coverage</a></p>
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https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2013/3/12/4096474/2013-bracketology-duke-louisville-march-madnessBryan Kilpatrick2013-01-05T10:52:45-05:002013-01-05T10:52:45-05:00Rodgers' versatility helps Falcons' playcalling
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<p>Falcons RB Jacquizz Rodgers' production went up considerably in 2012 as the second-year pro out of Oregon State became a valuable weapon for Atlanta's high-powered offense.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons'</a> running back and kick returner <span>Jacquizz Rodgers</span>' increased production was discussed by head coach Mike Smith during his <a target="_blank" href="http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/article-1/Transcript-Mike-Smith-Post-Practice-Interview/2b4a76e3-9b8f-4ff8-af95-a8b7a74acb6d">post-practice session with the media on Friday</a>.</p>
<p>When asked about Rodgers' productivity, Smith went in-depth about how the second-year pro's skills allow the Falcons to get creative with playcalling:</p>
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<p>"He's done a very good job for us. His all-purpose yards, when you throw in his kickoff returns, he's a guy that helps us on special teams, he's a guy that can run the football and catch it. Sometimes some of the passes that we throw are really run plays as we talk about how we're going to attack people."</p>
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<p>Rodgers rushed 94 times for 362 yards in 2012, a significant increase over his numbers from the previous season. In addition, Rodgers really established himself as a threat in the passing game, as Smith noted. The 5'6, 196-pound speedster out of Oregon State caught 53 passes, good for fourth on the team, for 402 yards and a touchdown.</p>
<p>Although Rodgers didn't find pay dirt in the return game, he did rack up 592 yards on 23 kickoffs during the regular season with a long of 77.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/falcons/2013/1/5/3839124/2013-nfl-playoffs-mike-smithBryan Kilpatrick2013-01-05T10:22:15-05:002013-01-05T10:22:15-05:00Walker boosts Falcons' defense
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<p>Vance Walker has rewarded the Falcons' decision to start him more often by giving the team increased production.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons'</a> defensive tackle <span>Vance Walker</span> has flourished this season with increased playing time, <a target="_blank" href="http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-falcons-blog/2013/01/04/atlanta-falcons-vance-walker-is-unsung-hero-of-the-defensive-line/?cxntfid=blogs_atlanta_falcons_blog">writes Orlando D. Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution</a>.</p>
<p>Prior to this season, Walker started just two games for the Falcons during his first three seasons in the league. In 2012, Walker started eight games and rewarded the team's decision by registering 32 tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble.</p>
<p>Although there are still games in which Walker doesn't participate in the majority of the team's plays, head coach Mike Smith finds his production vital to the defense's success:</p>
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<p>"He's done a very nice job for us in the rotation. I think he's probably been our most productive defensive tackle in terms of pass rush this year statistically. He's a very good anchor point. He has a very good understanding of what we are trying to do and he understands his role in the rotation."</p>
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<p>As for Walker, a fourth-year pro out of Georgia Tech, he recognizes his improvement on the field, but won't allow himself to become complacent:</p>
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<p>"I'm not content with anything. But at the same time I want to be better than what I was last year and at the end of the day, I want to help the team win a championship and win that ring."</p>
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<p>Walker and the Falcons have the weekend off as a reward for finishing with the NFC's best record. They'll face the conference's lowest-remaining seed from this weekend's games on Sunday, Jan. 13 at the Georgia Dome.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/falcons/2013/1/5/3838992/vance-walker-atlanta-falconsBryan Kilpatrick2013-01-05T09:56:13-05:002013-01-05T09:56:13-05:00Hawks fall just short vs. Pistons
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<p>The Hawks were perhaps an Andre Drummond blocked shot away from leaving Detroit with a big-time comeback win and a one-game deficit in the Southeast division.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Hawks</a> fell one point short of an impressive comeback victory on the road over the <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Pistons</a> on Friday night. After falling down by as many as 19 points, the Hawks had a shot to win it at the end, only to have <span>Lou Williams</span>' last-second attempt get blocked by the Pistons' <span>Andre Drummond</span>.</p>
<p>After <span>Jeff Teague</span> intercepted a pass to give the Hawks the ball with 4.1 seconds remaining, the Hawks came up with a plan to get a good shot off, <a href="http://blogs.ajc.com/hawks/2013/01/04/atlanta-hawks-pistons-85-hawks-84/?cxntfid=blogs_hawks">Williams told Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution</a>:</p>
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<p>"We had drawn up one play and they had a foul to give. The actual play that we drew up they fouled us on it. After that, me and Al (Horford) kind of made eye contact just to do a dribble handoff. They had been cheating on our dribble handoff all game and I faked it to the corner. Al felt like both guys were going to go with me but they actually did a good job defensively."</p>
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<p>Williams' shot bounced off the side of the backboard after Drummond got a piece of it, and just like that, the Hawks had blown an opportunity to move to within one game of the division-leading <a href="https://www.hothothoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Miami Heat</a>.</p>
<p>The Hawks, who are still in third place in the Eastern Conference, return home to face the <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Boston Celtics</a> on Sunday at 7 p.m. ET.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/hawks/2013/1/5/3838952/hawks-vs-pistons-nba-lou-williams-andre-drummondBryan Kilpatrick2013-01-05T09:20:46-05:002013-01-05T09:20:46-05:00GT opens conference slate against The U
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<figcaption>Kevin C. Cox</figcaption>
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<p>On Saturday, Georgia Tech will attempt to avenge an embarrassing loss to the Miami Hurricanes in last year's ACC Tournament.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/georgia-tech-yellow-jackets">Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets</a> will be tested to begin ACC play by a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/miami-hurricanes">Miami Hurricanes</a> team that "seems to have Tech's number," <a target="_blank" href="http://www.macon.com/2013/01/04/2305097/jackets-face-strong-test-in-acc.html">writes Macon.com's Stan Awtrey</a>.</p>
<p>Despite losing a couple of games that it probably shouldn't have, Miami rates as one of the nation's better teams in the RPI rankings while boasting a strength of schedule that is good for fourth in the country. The Hurricanes bounced back from a loss to Indiana State on Christmas Day by defeating LaSalle, 76-59, on Wednesday.</p>
<p>Last season, the Hurricanes gave Georgia Tech fits, holding the Yellow Jackets to just 42.5 points per game in two meetings. In the opening round of the ACC Tournament, Miami held Tech to 36 points on 31.8 percent shooting and used an 18-0 run at one point in the second half to pull away.</p>
<p>Georgia Tech head coach Brian Gregory knows his team is in for a battle on Saturday in Atlanta, as he explained to Awtrey:</p>
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<p>"The first couple of weeks of our league play, not that any of it is going to be easy, we start off with a team picked in the top four of the league, Miami, that we struggled with both times last year. We're going to have to play extremely well on both ends of the floor to be successful on Saturday."</p>
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<p>The Hurricanes (9-3) and Yellow Jackets (10-2) will tip off at 2:30 p.m. ET at McCamish Pavilion.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/georgia-tech-ncaab/2013/1/5/3838856/georgia-tech-vs-miami-previewBryan Kilpatrick2013-01-05T08:48:26-05:002013-01-05T08:48:26-05:00Hawks fall to lowly Pistons
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<figcaption>Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The first-place Heat lost on Friday, but the Hawks couldn't take advantage as a poor first half led to a loss for Atlanta against the Pistons in Detroit.</p> <p><span class="sbn-auto-link">The</span><a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link"> Atlanta Hawks</a> were unable to overcome a lackluster first half in an 85-84 loss to the <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Pistons</a>, failing to capitalize on an opportunity to gain ground on the first-place Miami Heat in the process.</p>
<p>Atlanta found itself down at halftime, 51-36, and couldn't quite dig completely out of the hole despite outscoring Detroit by 11 points in the final quarter.<span> Austin Daye</span> led the Pistons with 20 points and six rebounds off the bench. <span>Josh Smith</span> paced the Hawks with 20 points of his own, while <span>Al Horford</span> finished with 18 points and 15 rebounds.</p>
<p>The<a href="https://www.hothothoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link"> Heat</a> fell to the <a href="https://www.blogabull.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Bulls</a> on Friday night at home, 96-89, after being outrebounded by Chicago, 48-28. Bulls forward <span>Carlos Boozer</span> added 12 rebounds to his team-high 27 points while center <span>Joakim Noah</span> also pitched in 12 boards as Chicago dominated Miami on the glass, particularly on the offensive end, where the Bulls pulled down 19 rebounds compared to the Heat's four.</p>
<p><span>LeBron James</span> finished with 30 points and six rebounds in the losing effort.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link"></a></p>
<p><i>Other Southeast division scores from Friday:</i></p>
<p><a href="https://www.fearthesword.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cleveland Cavaliers</a> 106, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/charlotte-bobcats" class="sbn-auto-link">Charlotte Bobcats</a> 104</p>
<p><span>Kyrie Irving</span> nailed a 15-foot jumper with one second left to lead the woeful Cavs past the lowly Bobcats in Charlotte.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.netsdaily.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Brooklyn Nets</a> 115, <a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington Wizards</a> 113</p>
<p><span>Joe Johnson</span> hit an 18-footer with 0.7 seconds remaining, allowing the Nets to escape D.C. with a win, denying Washington its fifth victory of the season.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/hawks/2013/1/5/3838790/nba-scores-2013Bryan Kilpatrick2013-01-01T15:58:36-05:002013-01-01T15:58:36-05:00Georgia Tech comes up Golden against USC
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<p>Georgia Tech's Jamal Golden made a couple of big plays on Monday against USC in the Sun Bowl to help his team avenge last year's loss in El Paso.</p> <p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/georgia-tech-yellow-jackets" class="sbn-auto-link">Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets</a> return specialist and defensive back <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/133890/jamal-golden" class="sbn-auto-link">Jamal Golden's</a> 56-yard punt return in the third quarter of the 2012 Sun Bowl set up Tevin Washington's go-ahead touchdown run, giving Tech a 14-7 lead it would not relinquish.</p>
<p>Golden has had a knack for big plays on special teams, returning two kicks for scores earlier in the season, Georgia Tech's first touchdown returns in 14 years. In addition, Golden took snaps on defense at safety, helping to fill in for leading tackler Isaiah Johnson and his backup, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/133885/chris-milton" class="sbn-auto-link">Chris Milton</a>, both of whom missed the game due to injury. Golden is usually a cornerback, but didn't mind switching to help his team, the sophomore from Wetumpka, Ala.,<a href="http://blogs.ajc.com/georgia-tech-sports/2012/12/31/tech-notes-golden-delivers-again/?cxntfid=blogs_georgia_tech_sports" target="_blank"> told Ken Sugiura of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution</a>:</p>
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<p>"I was not going to be the guy to let my team down."</p>
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<p>Golden added an interception to his big punt return, picking off USC quarterback <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136352/max-wittek" class="sbn-auto-link">Max Wittek</a> in the end zone to end the Trojans' scoring threat late in the fourth quarter, sealing the victory for Georgia Tech.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2012-sun-bowl/2013/1/1/3825392/jamal-golden-georgia-tech-football-sun-bowlBryan Kilpatrick2013-01-01T15:25:49-05:002013-01-01T15:25:49-05:00Georgia Tech defense comes up big
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<p>Georgia Tech players praised interim defensive coordinator Charles Kelly for the team's defensive turnaround at the end of the season.</p> <p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/georgia-tech-yellow-jackets" class="sbn-auto-link">Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets</a> used a stifling defense to defeat the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/usc-trojans" class="sbn-auto-link">USC Trojans</a>, 21-7, in the Hyundai Sun Bowl on Monday, allowing just 205 yards of total offense to the Pac-12 powerhouse. This, after the Jackets held the Florida State Seminoles scoreless in the second half of the ACC Championship Game.</p>
<p>In talking to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Ken Sugiura after the game, Georgia Tech defensive back <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/133890/jamal-golden" class="sbn-auto-link">Jamal Golden</a> <a href="http://blogs.ajc.com/georgia-tech-sports/2012/12/31/tech-notes-golden-delivers-again/?cxntfid=blogs_georgia_tech_sports" target="_blank">praised interim defensive coordinator </a>Charles Kelly for the defense's late-season turnaround, stating that Kelly is "the reason we played like we did in the second half of the Florida State game and the bowl game."</p>
<p>The Yellow Jackets shut down USC despite the absence of leading tackler Isaiah Johnson. In addition, Georgia Tech lost linebacker <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114304/jeremiah-attaochu" class="sbn-auto-link">Jeremiah Attaochu</a>, arguably the team's best defensive player, for a large chunk of the game due to an arm injury.</p>
<p>Georgia Tech allowed just seven points over the final six quarters of the season after going through a stretch in which it gave up at least 40 points in six of the team's final nine regular season games.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2012-sun-bowl/2013/1/1/3825260/2012-sun-bowl-georgia-tech-defenseBryan Kilpatrick2013-01-01T14:01:25-05:002013-01-01T14:01:25-05:00UGA, GT to compete for Georgia HS RB Chubb
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<p>Georgia and Georgia Tech are competing for the services of Cedartown, Ga., running back Nick Chubb.</p> <p>Georgia high school running back Nick Chubb has received a scholarship offer from the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/georgia-tech-yellow-jackets" class="sbn-auto-link">Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets</a> and will soon have one from the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/georgia-bulldogs" class="sbn-auto-link">Georgia Bulldogs</a>, as well, <a href="http://blogs.ajc.com/recruiting/2012/12/31/both-uga-and-georgia-tech-offer-rb-nick-chubb/?cxntfid=blogs_recruiting" target="_blank">writes Michael Carvell of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution</a>.</p>
<p>Chubb, a 5'11, 205-pound junior from Cedartown High School, rushed for 2,721 yards and 38 touchdowns in just 10 games this season. In addition to his offers from the Georgia schools, Chubb is also being coveted by college football powerhouses such as <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/alabama-crimson-tide">Alabama</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/ohio-st-buckeyes">Ohio State</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/tennessee-volunteers">Tennessee</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/purdue-boilermakers">Purdue</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Nick-Chubb-143831" target="_blank">Rivals.com has Chubb rated</a> as a four-star recruit, and he is included in the site's top 250 players in the class of 2014. Chubb is being recruited at Georgia Tech by Brian Bohannon, while UGA assistant Bryan McClendon has been in heavy contact with the tailback.</p>
<p>Chubb will make an official visit to Georgia this month and also plans to visit Georgia Tech, but he hasn't set a date. He has a trip to Ohio State's campus scheduled for Jan. 10.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2013/1/1/3825002/nick-chubb-offered-georgia-georgia-techBryan Kilpatrick2013-01-01T13:37:04-05:002013-01-01T13:37:04-05:00Falcons top-3 team in NFL entering playoffs
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<figcaption>Chris Graythen</figcaption>
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<p>The Falcons are still viewed as a top-three team in the NFL despite losing to the Buccaneers in the regular-season finale.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> are ranked No. 3 in <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2013/1/1/3824414/nfl-power-rankings-2013-broncos-seahawks">SB Nation's final NFL power rankings</a>, while coming in at No. 2 in <a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/powerrankings">ESPN's final regular season list</a>.</p>
<p>The Falcons are coming off a 22-17 loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> to close out the regular season. Still, that didn't hurt the NFC's No. 1 seed in ESPN's rankings, staying right where they were the previous week. SB Nation didn't feel the same way, moving the Falcons out of the top spot with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> leapfrogging the NFC South champions.</p>
<p>Atlanta is off this week, but is showing the sense of urgency needed to get over the hump and win its first playoff game since 2004, as ESPN's Mike Sando notes that "the Falcons are practicing through the bye week."</p>
<p>The Falcons will face the NFC's lowest remaining seed in the divisional round of the playoffs on Sunday, Jan. 13 at 1 p.m. ET.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/falcons/2013/1/1/3824820/2012-nfl-power-rankingsBryan Kilpatrick