Falcons ready to host Packers for NFC crown
QB Ryan, Atlanta’s offense are clicking on all cylinders.
ATLANTA — Matt Ryan and the high-scoring Falcons offense will have one more game in the Georgia Dome after all.
The Falcons will host the NFC Championship game on Sunday against Green Bay. The Packers beat Dallas 34-31 in Sunday’s divisional playoff game.
Ryan continued his hot streak of turnover-free passing in leading Atlanta to a 36-20 win over Seattle in Saturday’s first divisional game.
The MVP candidate threw for 338 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions against the Seahawks. It was Ryan’s fifth straight game without an interception, leading to a five- game winning streak for Atlanta. He has 14 touchdown passes in that span.
R y a n a n d t h e N F L’ s t o p - s c o r i n g o f f e n s e impressed cornerback Richard Sherman and the Seahawks.
“They do a lot of things well,” Sherman said. “The quarterback gets the ball out, he doesn’t turn the ball over, so that will do it.”
Ryan was in top form in leading Atlanta to a 33-32 home win over Green Bay on Oct. 30. He completed 28 of 35 passes for 288 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.
The Falcons (12-5) have leaned on Ryan and their balanced offense in their pursuit for the second Super Bowl appearance and first championship.
Ryan kept the offense moving against Seattle even as AllPro Julio Jones aggravated a toe injury.
Jones spent much of the second half on the sideline, but still had a game-high six catches for 67 yards and a touchdown in his highly anticipated matchup with Sherman.
J o n e s ’ s t a t u s w i l l b e closely watched this week. He missed two games this season with the sore toe.
Jones still finished second in the NFL with 1,409 yards re c eiv i ng on 83 c atc hes, i n c l u d i n g s i x f o r t o u c hdowns.
Coach Dan Quinn said Saturday that Jones’ injury was “no concern at the moment” but acknowledged “it’ll be sore.”
Added Quinn: “I anticipate him being ready to rock next week.”
Jones was not available for postgame interviews, adding to speculation about the severity of the injury.
Ryan has a large list of targets behind Jones. He completed passes to eight receivers against the Seahawks.