SB Nation Atlanta - Falcons Clinch Home Field Advantage With 31-10 Victory Over Panthershttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46601/atlanta-fave.png2011-01-02T16:14:36-05:00http://atlanta.sbnation.com/rss/stream/16640062011-01-02T16:14:36-05:002011-01-02T16:14:36-05:00NFL Week 17, Carolina Panthers Vs. Atlanta Falcons Final Score: 31-10, Falcons Clinch Home Field Advantage
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<p><span>Roddy White</span> broke two franchise records (catches and yards in a single season), Tony Gonzalez tied Don Maynard with his 88th touchdown reception and Matt Ryan tied Dan Marino for most wins in the first three seasons by a quarterback as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> beat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a>, 31-10 to secure home field advantage throughout the <span class="caps">NFC</span> playoffs.</p>
<p>It was somewhat the passing of the torch as John Fox coached his last game for the Panthers at the same time <span>Mike Smith</span> awaits a contract extension. Fox showed a graphic during the game that showed how the Falcons could avenge all three losses they suffered during the regular season. They could meet the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a> in the divisional round and then the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a> in the <span class="caps">NFC</span> title game before playing the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> in the Super Bowl. That’s a tough road but one this Falcons team could handle.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2011/1/2/1909457/nfl-week-17-carolina-panthers-vs-atlanta-falcons-final-score-31-10Troy Heinzman2011-01-02T15:37:56-05:002011-01-02T15:37:56-05:00NFL Playoff Picture: Falcons Clinch Home Field With Bears, Eagles & Saints All Locked In
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> are blowing out the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a> 31-3 and have taken out all their key starters so let’s look ahead to the playoff picture. The Falcons are the No. 1 seed and will be playing every <span class="caps">NFC</span> playoff game in the Georgia Dome. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> are locked in as the No. 2 seed and have nothing to play for (except rivalry pride) against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a>. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a> were already locked into the No. 3 seed and will be resting their starters against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> and their newly-christened head coach, Jason Garrett.</p>
<p>The No. 4 seed is still to be decided between the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> later tonight on Sunday Night Football. The No. 5 seed will be the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a> regardless if they win or lose to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a>. The Saints currently trail the Bucs by 10 in the fourth quarter. The last playoff spot will either be the Packers (if they win), <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a> (if they win and the Packers lose) or the Bucs (if they hang on and the Packers and Giants both lose).</p>
<p>Best case scenario for the Falcons is for the Packers to win because the Packers have a better shot at beating the Eagles than either the Giants (who’ve lost twice to them already) or the Bucs do. Falcons fans would also be wise to root for the Seahawks to beat the Rams as well. That would force the Saints to travel across the country to play in a stadium that is widely considered the loudest (and toughest) place to play in the <span class="caps">NFL</span>. Of the teams potentially in the playoffs, only the Saints and Eagles bother me so this scenario makes it possible the Falcons could avoid them both.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2011/1/2/1909359/nfl-playoff-picture-falcons-clinch-home-field-with-bears-eaglesTroy Heinzman2011-01-02T15:22:51-05:002011-01-02T15:22:51-05:00Panthers Vs. Falcons Score Update: 31-3, Michael Turner Moves The Falcons Closer To 13-3
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<p>In honor of Don Meredith you can turn out the lights because the party’s over. At least for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a> it is as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> lead 31-3 and are only a quarter away from clinching home field advantage throughout the <span class="caps">NFC</span> playoffs. <span>Michael Turner</span>’s three-yard touchdown run capped a nine-play, 54-yard drive that took almost six minutes off the game clock.</p>
<p>The <span class="caps">NFC</span> South could still send three teams to the playoffs if the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> (who lead 20-10 currently) hold off the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a>. The Bucs would still need the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a> to lose on the late games but the hope is still there.</p>
<p>Hope is not still there for the Panthers who’ve been demolished in this game that could easily be 49-3 if the Falcons had been able to convert on a few more chances they’ve been given by the Panthers.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2011/1/2/1909325/panthers-vs-falcons-score-update-31-3-michael-turner-moves-theTroy Heinzman2011-01-02T15:07:58-05:002011-01-02T15:07:58-05:00Panthers Vs. Falcons Score Update: 24-3, Matt Bryant's Field Goal Increases Falcons Lead
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> lead the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a> 24-3 and are a quarter-and-a-half away from clinching home field advantage throughout the <span class="caps">NFC</span> playoffs for the first time since 1980. <span>Matt Bryant</span>’s 47-yard field goal put them up by 21 after three first half touchdowns gave the Falcons a 21-0 lead.</p>
<p>At this point, this game means a lot more to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> who are hoping the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a> 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.</p>
<p>Matt Ryan continues his career day pace with 219 passing yards and two touchdowns while <span>Michael Turner</span> 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.</p>
<p>On a sidenote, <span>Dunta Robinson</span> made his first interception of the season in the third quarter.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2011/1/2/1909291/panthers-vs-falcons-score-update-24-3-matt-bryants-field-goalTroy Heinzman2011-01-02T14:57:14-05:002011-01-02T14:57:14-05:00Carolina Panthers Vs. Atlanta Falcons Score: 21-3, John Kasay Field Goal Cuts Into Falcons Lead
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<p>Similar to the way things played out in their first meeting of the year, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a> score on their first drive of the second half, cutting the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> lead to 18, 21-3. The Panthers scoring drive was a six-play, 75-yard drive that saw two end arounds (one good, one bad), an intentional grounding penalty and a defensive holding penalty before finally ending with a 23-yard <span>John Kasay</span> field goal.</p>
<p>Going for the field goal while down 21 is a curious choice by the Panthers especially when you consider this is John Fox’s last game as head coach. I understand trying to build morale and you want to come away with something but it’s basically a white flag. You have given up on winning and just want to be able to say, at least I wasn’t shut out in my final game.</p>
<p>The Falcons winning is good news for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> (currently tied 10-10 with the Saints) since the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a> may not try as hard since they know they’ll be locked into the No. 5 seed. The Bucs need to win and hope the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a> both lose for them to make the playoffs.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2011/1/2/1909265/carolina-panthers-vs-atlanta-falcons-score-21-3-john-kasay-field-goalTroy Heinzman2011-01-02T14:37:09-05:002011-01-02T14:37:09-05:00Panthers Vs. Falcons Score Update: 21-0, Falcons Are 30 minutes Away From Home Field Advantage
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> are leading 21-0 at halftime but it really could be much worse. The Falcons have turned the ball over three times (twice on failed fourth down attempts and once on a <span>Michael Turner</span> fumble). Still, the Falcons are 30 minutes away from getting to play the next two games in the friendly confines of the Georgia Dome by clinching home field advantage throughout the <span class="caps">NFC</span> playoffs.</p>
<p>Matt Ryan has been unstoppable throwing for 206 yards and two touchdowns in the first half. He’s on pace to set single-game personal bests for completions, attempts, yards and touchdowns. With a 21-point lead, Mike Mularkey will likely ease up on the passing frenzy but if he doesn’t, Ryan could be in for a career day.</p>
<p><span>Roddy White</span>, who earlier broke Terance Mathis’ record for catches in a season, needs just eight more receiving yards to break his own record for most yards receiving in a single season. White has five catches for 48 yards and one touchdown at the half.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2011/1/2/1909226/panthers-vs-falcons-score-update-21-0-falcons-are-30-minutes-awayTroy Heinzman2011-01-02T13:43:14-05:002011-01-02T13:43:14-05:00Panthers Vs. Falcons Game Update: 14-0, Falcons Up Big In Second Quarter
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> have dominated the first quarter of their game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a>. They lead 14-0 and have outgained the Panthers 151 to one. Yes, 151 yards to only one yard of total offense for the Panthers in the entire first quarter. The Falcons have the ball and are driving again could put this game out of reach if it isn’t already. In their previous meeting this season, the Falcons jumped out to a 17-0 lead and coasted to a 31-10 victory. This game has that same feel.</p>
<p>Matt Ryan is already 11-for-13 for 119 yards and one touchdown. <span>Michael Turner</span> has rushed six times for six times for 25 yards and Tony Gonzalez has caught three passes for 28 yards and one score. <span>Eric Weems</span> provided the special teams highlight with a 55-yard punt return for a touchdown providing the current margin. A win here secures home field advantage for the Falcons in the <span class="caps">NFC</span> playoffs.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2011/1/2/1909123/panthers-vs-falcons-game-update-14-0-falcons-up-big-in-second-quarterTroy Heinzman2011-01-02T13:35:31-05:002011-01-02T13:35:31-05:00Panthers Vs. Falcons Score Update: 14-0, Eric Weems Punt Return TD Puts Falcons In Control
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> have started this game as if they have something to prove and that’s bad news for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a>. After an opening drive touchdown, the Falcons held the Panthers to a three-and-out and were driving again before a <span>Michael Turner</span> fumble (his second in as many weeks) gave the Panthers the ball at their own two-yard line. The Falcons defense stiffened though and forced the Panthers to punt. <span>Eric Weems</span> took that punt 55 yards for a touchdown to bring the Falcons lead to 14 and put them even closer to clinching home field advantage in the <span class="caps">NFC</span> playoffs.</p>
<p>The Falcons have outgained the Panthers 106 to two in total yards and appear to be exerting their will in the final regular season contest. There are a lot of questions about the Falcons after their home loss a week ago but they are certainly doing all they can to erase any doubts about this team’s capability of winning the Super Bowl.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2011/1/2/1909111/panthers-vs-falcons-score-update-14-0-eric-weems-punt-return-td-putsTroy Heinzman