KIDWCKED
01-03-2011, 12:27 AM
c/p from foxsports by the a/p
Updated Jan 2, 2011 6:00 PM ET
ATLANTA (AP)
The Atlanta Falcons, No. 1 in the NFC, embraced home-field advantage in the playoffs.
The Carolina Panthers, No. 1 in the NFL draft, said goodbye to their coach.
Matt Ryan and the Falcons put a decisive stamp on the NFC South title and the conference's best record by beating Carolina 31-10 on Sunday in John Fox's last game as Panthers coach.
The Falcons (13-3) earned their first division title since 2004 and a bye next weekend. Team owner Arthur Blank took a bath afterward as players dumped a cooler of liquid on him.
The Falcons had good reason to celebrate only their fourth division title: They are the No. 1 seed in the playoffs for the first time in 30 years.
One of coach Mike Smith's preseason goals was for the Falcons to ''become relevant'' in the NFL.
Mission accomplished.
''We're very relevant,'' Smith said after the win. ''We've worked very hard to attain this position.''
The Falcons have to wait a week to know who they will face on the weekend of Jan. 15-16. Roddy White, who had a touchdown catch, said all that matters is the Falcons know they'll play in the Georgia Dome.
''It's very important,'' White said. ''We rarely lose in this building. We find a way to win here.''
The Falcons are 20-2 in home games started by Ryan the last three years.
Updated Jan 2, 2011 6:00 PM ET
ATLANTA (AP)
The Atlanta Falcons, No. 1 in the NFC, embraced home-field advantage in the playoffs.
The Carolina Panthers, No. 1 in the NFL draft, said goodbye to their coach.
Matt Ryan and the Falcons put a decisive stamp on the NFC South title and the conference's best record by beating Carolina 31-10 on Sunday in John Fox's last game as Panthers coach.
The Falcons (13-3) earned their first division title since 2004 and a bye next weekend. Team owner Arthur Blank took a bath afterward as players dumped a cooler of liquid on him.
The Falcons had good reason to celebrate only their fourth division title: They are the No. 1 seed in the playoffs for the first time in 30 years.
One of coach Mike Smith's preseason goals was for the Falcons to ''become relevant'' in the NFL.
Mission accomplished.
''We're very relevant,'' Smith said after the win. ''We've worked very hard to attain this position.''
The Falcons have to wait a week to know who they will face on the weekend of Jan. 15-16. Roddy White, who had a touchdown catch, said all that matters is the Falcons know they'll play in the Georgia Dome.
''It's very important,'' White said. ''We rarely lose in this building. We find a way to win here.''
The Falcons are 20-2 in home games started by Ryan the last three years.