Matt Ryan, Falcons Dominate Packers In 44-21 NFC Championship Win

by Pablo MenaJanuary 23, 2017, 11:30 amNews, Z-Home Slider >

Matt Ryan threw four touchdown passes for 392 yards and ran in for one score to lead the Atlanta Falcons to a 44-21 home rout of the Green Bay Packers in Sunday night’s NFC Championship Game.

Matt Ryan, Falcons Dominate Packers In 44-21 NFC Championship Win

The Falcons, who have the top scoring offense in the NFL, controlled the game from their first possession, as wide receiver Mohamed Sanu scored on a 2-yard shovel pass from Ryan. That marked the eighth consecutive game Atlanta has scored on its opening drive.

The Packers, meanwhile, struggled from their opening drive, with Mason Crosby missing a 41-yard field goal attempt.

After the Falcons’ Matt Bryant made a 28-yard field goal to push the score to 10-0, Atlanta’s defense recorded its 10th straight game with a takeaway as cornerback Jalen Collins forced and recovered a fumble from fullback Aaron Ripkowski with 10:59 remaining in the second quarter.

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Just minutes later, Ryan ran in from 14 yards, earning his first rushing touchdown since 2012, to make it 17-0. Fans chanted, “MVP! MVP! MVP!” for the 31-year-old quarterback.

“We’ve worked hard to get to this point, but the challenge is still in front of us,” Ryan said. “What we set out to accomplish is still in front of us.”

Julio Jones had nine catches for 180 yards and two scores.

The Packers’ woes continued as they found themselves on their own 13 on third down late in the first half. Aaron Rodgers tossed a deep ball that was intercepted by safety Ricardo Allen. Jones took advantage and brought in a Ryan pass for a 5-yard touchdown just before halftime to make it 24-0.

In the Rodgers era at Green Bay, which began in 2008, it marked the first time the Packers trailed by 24 or more points at halftime. It also marked the first time the team was shut out in the first half of a playoff game since 2002.

Rodgers threw for three touchdowns in the second half, but it was too late.

“Playing a team like that, you’ve got to start faster than that,” Rodgers said.

The Falcons will thus face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI in Houston on Feb. 5. The Patriots defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 36-17 at Gillette Stadium.

ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 22: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons attempts a pass against the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter in the NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome on January 22, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)