The Falcons earned a week off in the opening round of the playoffs, only the fourth time they've been in that position under the current postseason format. Atlanta had a first-round bye during the 1998 (different divisional alignment), 2004, 2010 and 2012 seasons. The Falcons won their first playoff game three of those years to advance to the NFC championship game (the only exception was 2010).
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Before Ryan returned to the field for the second half, he hugged former Falcons quarterback Michael Vick in the tunnel.
Snead fumbled, though the Saints recovered. Both players staggered off the field before they were taken to the locker room for evaluations.
Devonta Freeman ripped off a 75-yard touchdown run and also hauled in three passes for 55 yards as the Falcons put on a dazzling offensive display.
Saints coach Sean Payton declined comment about his future after a third straight 7-9 season.
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Payton was once the toast of New Orleans, posting a record of 62-34 over his first six years with the team,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, including four playoff appearances and the franchise's lone Super Bowl title.
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Neal turned his head as he approached Snead to make the tackle on a 27-yard pass play, but their helmets struck when they both ducked down.
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The Atlanta quarterback threw four touchdown passes to lead the Falcons to a 38-32 victory over the New Orleans Saints, securing a first-round playoff bye for the NFC South champions.
Vick, whose Falcons career ended with a dogfighting scandal that sent him to prison in 2007, made a triumphant return to the Georgia Dome during a halftime ceremony honoring the final regular-season game at the Falcons' home for the last 25 years.
His 471 completions this season set an NFL record.
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) January 2, 2017
One consolation for New Orleans: Drew Brees became the first quarterback in league history to throw for 5,000 yards five times. He was 29 of 50 for 350 yards, giving him 5,208 on the season.
"I thought we had a better team than what our record ended up being," Brees said.
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He certainly did nothing to hurt his credentials with a brilliant first half Sunday.
Falcons rookie safety Keanu Neal and Saints receiver Willie Snead IV were both left with possible concussions after a huge collision in the fourth quarter.
"Matt played particularly well," coach Dan Quinn said. "He just threw some balls that were right on point."
Sean Payton's postgame press conference.
The team's lone Super Bowl appearance was 1998. Atlanta has never won a championship,Wholesale Jerseys China.
PAYTON'S FUTURE
The Saints staged a furious rally in the fourth quarter, scoring three touchdowns and recovering an onside kick. But the Falcons pounced on a second onside try with 38 seconds remaining, securing the victory.
Atlanta piled up 323 yards in the first two quarters, and also benefited from a 46-yard pass interference penalty against Roman Harper. Ryan threw scoring passes of 7 yards to Tevin Coleman, 1 yard to Julio Jones, 10 yards to Mohamed Sanu and 7 yards to Justin Hardy.
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The Falcons are moving to Mercedes-Benz Stadium next season, but making the playoffs for the first time since 2012 ensures they will have at least more game in the Georgia Dome.
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— Willie Snead IV (@Willie_Snead4G) January 2, 2017
— NFL (@NFL) January 1,China NFL Jerseys, 2017
— NFL (@NFL) January 1, 2017
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