NFC CHAMPIONS: Atlanta, Ryan cruise, treating Matthews to a homecoming
ATLANTA — After Atlanta pulverized Green Bay 44-21 in Sunday’s NFC Championship Game, Bruce Matthews waited outside the home dressing room at the Georgia Dome, wearing a red No. 70 jersey in honor of his son, Jake, the Falcons’ left tackle.
Bruce, one of the greatest Oilers and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, took 17 years to finally play in a Super Bowl — with Tennessee after the 1999 season.
Jake, who starred at Elkins High School and Texas A&M, will play in his first Super Bowl in his third season. He’s coming home to Houston to play the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI.
“I think I’m happier for Jake right now than I was when I made it with the Titans because he’s my son and I get to be part of his enjoyment,” Bruce said. “This is such a great thing for him and our family.”
Jake plays on one of the most prolific offenses in NFL history. In the last game at the Georgia Dome before the Falcons move into their $1.5 billion Mercedes-Benz Dome next
season, they showed again why they led the NFL in scoring this season with an average of 33.7 points per game.
Matt Ryan threw four touchdown passes without an interception. The Falcons reached Green Bay territory eight times on nine possessions and produced six touchdowns and a field goal.
“I’m happy for everybody in the organization,” Ryan said. “We’ve worked hard to get to this point, but the challenge is still in front of us.”
Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, who’s expected to be named San Francisco’s head coach after the Super Bowl, has the Falcons averaging 39 points during their six-game winning streak, including 38.5 in playoff wins over Seattle and Green Bay.
“This offense is amazing,” said Bruce Matthews, who attends almost every game. “This team oozes confidence.”
Matthews played on some great offenses with the Oilers — the run-and-shoot with three players who made the Hall of Fame: Matthews, quarterback Warren Moon and guard Mike Munchak. So which offense is better? “They are,” he said without hesitation. “We didn’t get to the Super Bowl. They just did.”
Third-down excellence
The Falcons were so dominant Sunday they had 325 yards in the first half when they led 24-0. They finished with 493 yards. They were 10-of-13 (77 percent) on third down and 5-of-6 (83 percent) in red-zone touchdowns.
“It’s incredible to play on an offense like this,” Jake Matthews said. “The biggest thing that sets us apart is the way we execute.
“During the week, Kyle does an amazing job of coming up with a plan for what we’re going to do on Sunday. We put the work in during the week, and we’re very confident going into games.”
Playing in a Super Bowl in his hometown is special for Matthews.
“It’s incredible,” he said. “Since you were a kid, you play this game to have a moment like this. It’s going to be awesome to be able to come back to Houston to play in a Super Bowl.”
Shanahan, who coached with the Texans from 2006-2009 under Gary Kubiak, feels the same way. He played at the University of Texas before entering the coaching field.
“I’m definitely happy it’s in Houston,” Shanahan said. “I love Houston, and I love Texas. This is going to be my first time back since I left.
“This means everything. It’s something I’ve been hoping my whole life to be part of. We’re the tightest group I’ve ever been around, and that makes it that much more fun.”
The Falcons are fun to watch. Shanahan gives Ryan a lot of freedom, and the quarterback is rewarding his coach’s faith in him.
Ryan was 27-of-38 for 392 yards against Green Bay. His rating was 139.4. Matthews and the offensive line didn’t allow a sack. Ryan also ran for a 14-yard touchdown.
Julio Jones showed why he’s regarded as the NFL’s best receiver. He had nine catches for 180 yards and two touchdowns, including a 73-yard score on which he broke two tackles before outrunning Packers defenders.
Drops plague Rodgers
The Falcons jumped on the Packers early and often. Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw three touchdown passes, but his receivers dropped at least five passes.
The Packers trailed 31-0 before scoring their first TD in the third quarter. Atlanta’s defense, coordinated by former Oilers and Texans assistant coach Richard Smith, sacked Roders twice and hit him seven more times.
It didn’t help that the Packers lost three offensive linemen and had three receivers playing with injuries that kept them out of practice last week.
“It was tough,” Rodgers said. “It’s a good defense, and their offense is off the charts. Matt is playing incredible. With a team like that, you’ve got to start faster than that.”
The Packers missed a field goal, fumbled inside the 5-yard line, and watched their winning streak end at eight games.
“When you play a quarterback as good as Aaron, you better find ways to get him off the spot,” Atlanta coach Dan Quinn said. “He’s been dangerous in the pocket and out, and our defensive coaches worked hard. The clearest part was the players having a clear understanding of our game plan.”
And as the game wore on, it became increasingly clear the Falcons would be headed for NRG Stadium for their second Super Bowl.