The Atlanta Falcons lead the Carolina Panthers 24-3 and are a quarter-and-a-half away from clinching home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs for the first time since 1980. Matt Bryant’s 47-yard field goal put them up by 21 after three first half touchdowns gave the Falcons a 21-0 lead.
At this point, this game means a lot more to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who are hoping the New Orleans Saints doing a little scoreboard watching and might be inclined to ease up since they know they are locked in to the No. 5 seed. Currently, the Bucs lead the Saints 13-10 in the third quarter.
Matt Ryan continues his career day pace with 219 passing yards and two touchdowns while Michael Turner has 54 yards on 13 carries. The Falcons have rolled up 277 offensive yards while limiting the Panthers to just 184 and they continue to control time of possession.
On a sidenote, Dunta Robinson made his first interception of the season in the third quarter.