Ryan up for return to Philly

A berth in the NFC championship is at stake when quarterback Matt Ryan leads the Atlanta Falcons (11-6) against the Philadelphia Eagles (13-3) Saturday in a divisional playoff.

Ryan, who grew up rooting for the Eagles and went to Philadelphia’s William Penn Charter School, is 1-3 at Lincoln Financial Field.

“I’m used to it now,” Ryan said about returning home. “Playing as long as I have, I understand regardless of where we play you have to be at your best every week. The one nice part is there will be a lot of familiar faces, friendly faces after the game.”

Ryan had his worst game of his MVP season on Nov. 13, 2016 in Atlanta’s 24-15 loss in the Eagles. He was 18 of 33 for 267 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

“We’re a different team than we were last year when we played them and they’re a different team,” Ryan said.

Patriots

A week after speculation raged that the Patriots had devolved into a den of dysfunction after a story reported strains involving Belichick, quarterback Tom Brady and team owner Robert Kraft, the coach has put the blinders on himself and his players for yet another Super Bowl run. It’s what Belichick does best —focus his players on their assignments and let the outside noise go in one ear and out the other. “Right now it’s just about preparing for Tennessee,” he said.

Panthers

Carolina hired Norv Turner as their new offensive coordinator to replace Mike Shula, who was fired earlier in the week after seven seasons with the team. Turner, 65 inherits an offense that finished 12th in the league scoring in 2017, they were just 28th in passing.

Bills

Buffalo fired offensive coordinator Rick Dennison after the team finished 29th in offense this season. Dennison’s playcalling was questioned after Buffalo scored just three points against Jacksonville in the franchise’s first playoff game in 18 years.