Who is that? Falcons’ Gabriel, others make their marks

FILe – In this Oct. 30, 2016, file photo, Green Bay Packers cornerback Demetri Goodson tackles Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Taylor Gabriel in the end zone as Gabriel scores a touchdown during the first of an NFL football game in Atlanta. Gabriel is a big part of Atlanta’s offense entering Sunday’s NFC championship game rematch against the Packers.

Does Kyle Shanahan deserve his reputation as QB miracle worker?

Matt Ryan, who was named the PFWA’s MVP on Wednesday, put together the best season of his life this year under Shanahan, the Falcons’ offensive coordinator. Shanahan has parlayed the Falcons’ offensive success into becoming a hot head coaching candidate, and is the reported favorite to land the 49ers job once the Falcons’ run is over.

Packers-Falcons NFC matchup expected to produce big offence

The high-scoring offences of the Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers appear poised to provide a memorable send-off for the Georgia Dome. Factor in the teams’ leaky defences, and Sunday’s NFC championship game could surge past the unusually high over/under of 60 1/2 points set by the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook.

Super Bowl 2017: Date, Schedule and Predicting Teams for NFL Championship Game

The participants who have earned entry to the NFC and AFC Championship Games that will take place on Sunday, January 22, have been decided, and it’s only natural to start predicting what the final combination of teams that will advance to Super Bowl LI will be. In the NFC, the red-hot Green Bay Packers will have to see if their momentum can carry them past the Atlanta Falcons, who had the highest-scoring offense in the league in the regular season with their 33.8 points per game.

Falcons: Julio Jones will be ready to go in NFC championship

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones scores a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter of an NFL football NFC divisional playoff game Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Atlanta. Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman tackles Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones during the second half of an NFL football divisional football game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Atlanta.

Pete Carroll on Seahawks’ belief entering offseason

So what should we expect from today’s playoff game between the Seattle Seahawks and Atlanta Falcons? News Tribune reporters Gregg Bell and Dave Boling give us the rundown. Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll discusses Thursday the availability of running back C.J. Prosise for Saturday’s playoff game in Atlanta against the Falcons.

The Latest: Lewis leads Pats over Texans 34-16 in playoffs

Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham runs into the end zone for a touchdown against Atlanta Falcons strong safety Keanu Neal during the first half of an NFL football NFC divisional playoff game, Saturday, Jan. 14,… . Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, left, speaks with Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson before the first half of an NFL football NFC divisional playoff game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Atlanta.

Ryan leads Falcons to NFC title game, beating Seattle 36-20

Matt Ryan looks very much like an MVP, throwing for 338 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Atlanta Falcons to the NFC championship game with a 36-20 win over the Seattle Seahawks Ryan leads Falcons to NFC title game, beating Seattle 36-20 Matt Ryan looks very much like an MVP, throwing for 338 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Atlanta Falcons to the NFC championship game with a 36-20 win over the Seattle Seahawks Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2ixNsAg Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn reacts to play against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football divisional football game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Atlanta.

Division-round story lines: Can Prescott keep up?

Dak Prescott, Matt Ryan and other top story lines for Divisional playoff round From Dak Prescott to Brock Osweiler, the top things to watch next weekend. Check out this story on mynorthshorenow.com: http://usat.ly/2ia5hFC USA TODAY Sports’ Tom Pelissero breaks down the weekend’s wild-card games and looks ahead to the matchups next week.

Can 2 rookies lead Dallas back to the top?

Dak Prescott was quite the revelation and consolation for Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who was outmaneuvered for first-rounder Paxton Lynch and third-rounder Connor Cook in the NFL draft last April. Jones chose Prescott with the 135th pick of the fourth round, and Tony Romo’s training camp injury microwaved plans to ease the rookie from Mississippi State into the rotation.

After brilliant season, Falcons QB Ryan shrugs off MVP talk

Matt Ryan just finished up the best regular season of his career, leading the Atlanta Falcons to a division championship and first-round bye in the playoffs After brilliant season, Falcons QB Ryan shrugs off MVP talk Matt Ryan just finished up the best regular season of his career, leading the Atlanta Falcons to a division championship and first-round bye in the playoffs Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2hU86KJ FILE – In this Oct. 16, 2016, file photo, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan passes against the Seattle Seahawks in the first half of an NFL football game, in Seattle. he Falcons have never had an MVP.

FINAL: Saints fall to Falcons 32-38

Matt Ryan bolstered his MVP credentials with a brilliant first half Sunday, throwing four touchdown passes to lead the Atlanta Falcons to a 38-32 victory over the New Orleans Saints, securing a first-round playoff bye. Ryan was 17 of 19 for 235 yards by halftime, directing the Falcons to touchdowns on all five possessions and a commanding 35-13 lead.