It wasn’t easy, but the Atlanta Falcons got the job done Sunday evening with a 22-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers. The win secured the final playoff spot in the NFC for the Falcons, who had to win to keep the Seattle Seahawks at bay.
Matt Ryan passed for 311 yards, besting Cam Newton, who had a terrible game. The Falcons outgained the Panthers 371 to 248 in a packed Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Falcons will play the Rams in Los Angeles in the NFL Divisional Round of he playoffs.
Newton was consistently pressured by the Falcons front four. He started the game 0-9, a record of futility that ironically tied Ryan in 2008 in his second career start.
The Falcons now turn their attention to the Rams, who have very little playoff experience and cold be vulnerable. The winner of that game will travel to Minnesota to play the red-hot Vikings.