Falcons Playing for NFC 2 Seed & Home Playoff Game

Matt Ryan NFL 2008 Week 17 Atlanta Falcons have clinched a playoff berth but are hoping to capture NFC south with a win plus Panthers loss

The Falcons clinched their first playoff berth since 2004 after defeating the Minnesota Vikings, 24-17, on the road.

Atlanta has won 6 of their last 8 games to improve their record to 10-5. It marks the fifth time in Falcons team history with 10 or more wins in a season.

The Falcons host the Saint Louis Rams (2-13) who are at the near bottom in offense and defense this NFL season.

On offense, the Rams are 31st in points scored (13.7 per game), 27th in yards (279.2 per game), passing yards (182.7 per game) and rushing yards (96.5 per game. On defense, the Rams give up 28.9 points per game (31st) and allow 368.9 scrimmage yards per game (29th).

Saint Louis Rams (2-13) at Atlanta Falcons (10-5)

Falcons Quarterback Matt Ryan has been brilliant at home this season.

Ryan has completed 111 of 167 passing attempts for 1,617 yards and five touchdowns while guiding the Falcons to a 6-1 home record. In his 15 starts this season, Ryan has completed 255 of 413 passes for 3,280 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions for a 89.6 passer rating.

Matt Ryan was named NFC Rookie of the Month (October) and NFC Offensive Player of the Week (NFL 2008 Week 9).

The other major weapon on offense for the Falcons has been running back Michael Turner.

In his first season with the Falcons, Turner has has posted 351 carries for 1,491 yards and 16 touchdowns. The 1,491 rushing yards currently ranks Turner second in the NFL.

This season, Michael Turner set the Falcons single-game rushing record with 220 yards against the Detroit Lions in Week 1. Turner also scored four touchdowns against Carolina in Week 12 for the first time in his career as while topping the 1,000-yard rushing mark. For his effort and achievement this season, Michael Turner was selected to the NFC's Pro Bowl Squad.

Series: Rams hold a 47-24-2 series advantage over the Falcons

The Falcons and Rams will meet for the second time in as many years. Although, the Rams hold a 47-24-2 series advantage, the Falcons have won the last two games between the two teams at the Georgia Dome (2004 and 2005).

Last season (12/2/2007), the Rams defeated the Falcons at home, 28-16. Rams backup quarterback Gus Frerotte threw three first-half touchdown passes to give St. Louis a 21-0 halftime lead, but it was Atlanta's backup quarterback that made plays down the stretch and nearly led the Falcons to a miraculous comeback.

Chris Redman, who replaced Joey Harrington at the start of the fourth quarter, finished the game 16 of 24 for 172 yards and two touchdowns. The Falcons had a shot at victory inside the final three minutes, but a fourth-down incompletion in the red zone and an interception with 1:31 remaining essentially ended the game. A 50-yard touchdown run by Steven Jackson blew the game open with 1:17 left and secured a 28-16 victory for the Rams.

The Falcons have won the only playoff meeting in the series with a 47-17 victory in a 2005 NFC Divisional Playoff game.

NFL 2008 Week 16: Atlanta Falcons 24, Minnesota Vikings 17

The Falcons clinched their first playoff berth since 2004 after defeating the Minnesota Vikings, 24-17, on the road.

Running back Michael Turner led the Falcons running game with 70 yards and one touchdown. Quarterback Matt Ryan completed 13 of 24 passes for 134 yards and one touchdown pass.

Atlanta jumped to a 17-7 lead at halftime as running back Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood contributed with touchdowns. Offensive lineman Justin Blalock recovered a fumble in the end zone to give the Falcons a 24-7 lead in the third quarter and the defensive unit did the rest holding off a Vikings comeback.

Defensively, John Abraham had one sack which set a Falcons club record for most sacks in a season (16.5). Defensive tackles Kindal Moorehead and Chauncey Davis also added one sack each.

NFL 2008 Week 16: San Francisco 49ers 17, Saint Louis Rams 16

In Week 16, the Rams played the San Francisco 49ers at the home in their second meeting of the season, losing 17-16.

The 49ers opened the scoring in the first quarter with a K Joe Nedney field goal, but the Rams answered back in the second quarter with a field goal by kicker Josh Brown. The following 49er drive was ended abruptly when Atogwe forced and recovered a fumble. Then, on the Rams next defensive possession, Atogwe ended another 49er drive with an interception of QB Shaun Hill.

After the two-minute warning in the first half, QB Marc Bulger connected with rookie WR Keenan Burton for a 30-yard touchdown pass. The 49ers were stopped again when Bartell made his first interception of the game, putting the Rams in field goal position and increasing their lead to 13-3.

After a scoreless third quarter, the Rams kicked a third field goal, but the 49ers managed to get into the endzone two times, giving them a one-point lead for a final score, 17-16.

Saint Louis Rams (2-13)

  • - In 3 career starts vs. the Atlanta Falcons (including playoff games), QB MARC BULGER has completed 70 of 100 (70.0 pct.) for 936 yards with 5 touchdowns vs. 4 interceptions for 99.4 passer rating
  • - RB STEVEN JACKSON rushed for 108 yards last week. In last meeting, Jackson rushed for 96 yards with 1 TD & added 3 receptions for 71 yards
  • - Since 2000, WR TORRY HOLT leads NFL with 811 receptions & 11,782 yards. Holt aims for 4th game in row with 100+ yards & 1+ TD. In past 3 vs. the Atlanta Falcons, Holt has 26 catches for 417 yards (139.0 per game) & 4 touchdowns.
  • - WR DONNIE AVERY is 2nd among NFC rookie WRs with 48 receptions & 634 yards
  • - S OSHIOMOGHO ATOGWE has 5 interceptions, 5 forced fumbles & 2 fumble recoveries (including 75-yard TD) in past 12. Has 13 interceptions since start of 2007, 2nd most in NFL. DE CHRIS LONG is tied for NFC rookie lead with 4.0 sacks
  • - K JOSH BROWN has 103 points, his 6th consecutive season with 100+ points

Atlanta Falcons (10-5)

  • - The Falcons clinched an NFC playoff berth last week and are 6-1 (.857) at home.
  • - Rookie QB MATT RYAN has completed 111 of 167 (66.5 pct.) for 1,617 yards with 5 touchdowns vs. 3 interceptions for 100.3 passer rating at home. When Ryan has 100.0+ rating, the Falcons are undefeated (6-0)
  • - Pro Bowl RB MICHAEL TURNER ranks 2nd in NFL with 1,491 rush yards & has franchise-record 16 rush touchdowns. Turner has 10 rushing touchdowns in past 7 games. When Turner has 8+ carries, his teams are 21-5 (.808).
  • - RB JERIOUS NORWOOD has 7 career touchdowns & 4 have been 67+ yards
  • - Pro Bowl WR RODDY WHITE has 79 catches for 1,221 yards (93.9 per game) & 6 touchdowns in past 13, including 7 100-yard games. White leads the NFC with 1,334 yards & needs 25 to set a Falcons' team single-season record (1,358, ALFRED JENKINS, 1981)
  • - DE JOHN ABRAHAM has 26.5 sacks in past 30. Has 84.0 sacks since 2000, 3rd most in NFL. Has franchise-record 16.5 sacks
  • - K JASON ELAM has 122 points & has scored 100+ points in each of 1st 16 seasons to start career, longest in history.

PREDICTION: Atlanta Falcons 34, Saint Louis Rams 14

The Falcons are playing to win the NFC South division title and more importantly the number 2 seed in the NFC playoff.

A Falcons win plus a Panthers loss gives Atlanta a week off from the NFC's Wildcard round and a home game the following week in the divisional round.

The Falcons have been impressive at home, to say the least, in sporting a 6-1 record. Meanwhile, the Rams are 1-6 on the road.

As such, expect the Falcons to come out strong and hungry for the win. On the other hand, the Rams have nothing to really play for and may have already called it a season.

Yes, the Rams can play for pride, but in the end the Falcons are a better team, especially at home.

Falcons Playing for NFC 2 Seed & Home Playoff Game - NFL 2008 Week 17