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Despite being swept by the New Orleans Saints in 2011, including one overtime loss, the Falcons have sealed a playoff berth as an NFC wild card team. They're heading into Week 17 with a 9-6 record and will be heading to the post season for the second season in a row. They can credit some extremely tough play by young and older players alike for another successful seasons. Here are the Falcons that played well enough in 2011 for a spot in the Pro Bowl.
Tony Gonzalez will be one of the NFC's tight ends, along side Jimmy Graham of the Saints. Gonzalez already has a Hall of Fame resume. This season he has caught 79 passes for 867 yards and seven touchdowns. He's the second leading receiver on the team.
Matt Ryan, Roddy White, Michael Turner, Todd McClure, Curtis Lofton, Sean Weatherspoon and Thomas DeCoud had Pro Bowl arguments, but one year after a team-record Pro Bowl class, the Falcons will have to content themselves with just Gonzalez.
Go here for complete 2012 NFL Pro Bowl rosters.