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.

Hawks Win, Lock Up 3 Seed

Russell Wilson threw for 258 yards and a touchdown and the Seattle Seahawks rallied from an early 11-point deficit to beat San Francisco 25-23 on Sunday in what could be coach Chip Kelly’s final game with the 49ers. The loss capped a disastrous season for the 49ers , who matched the franchise record for losses in a season previously reached in 1978, `79 and 2004.

Brady throws for 3 scores to help Pats beat Miami, 35-14

The New England Patriots finished the regular season with a perfect road record, and are hoping their next trip is to the Super Bowl. Tom Brady threw for 276 yards and three scores Sunday to help the Patriots clinch home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs by beating the Miami Dolphins 35-14.

Strong finish: No. 5 Penn St, No. 9 USC roll into Rose Bowl

To continue reading up to 10 premium articles, you must register , or sign up and take advantage of this exclusive offer: Southern California’s Zach Banner, left, and Sam Darnold take a spin on the Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters ride at Disney California Adventure on Tuesday in Anaheim, Calif. USC plays Penn State in the Rose Bowl on Monday.

Redskins lose to Giants 19-10, blow chance to make playoffs

Facing an opponent with nothing to play for, the Washington Redskins blew their chance to make the playoffs with an uninspired 19-10 loss to the New York Giants on Sunday. The Redskins would have made the playoffs with a win as long as the Green Bay Packers-Detroit Lions night game didn’t end in a tie.

Steelers surge to playoffs, Browns prepping for draft

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Cobi Hamilton makes the winning touchdown catch during overtime of an NFL football game with Cleveland Browns strong safety Briean Boddy-Calhoun defending in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017. Cleveland Browns running back George Atkinson is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons and strong safety Sean Davis during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017.

Thousands of Penn Staters Gather for Rose Bowl Pep Rally

Penn State linebacker great Michael Mauti energizes the crowd at the Penn State Rose Bowl pep rally Sunday afternoon in downtown Los Angeles. Photo: Alex Bauer/Onward State More than 10,000 Nittany fans poured into the LA Live complex in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon for the official Penn State pep rally ahead of Monday’s Rose Bowl matchup with USC.

The Latest: Browns cough up ball, big lead at Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown waves to fans from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017. Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown waves to fans from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017.

Jets up 10-3 at halftime

When the Jets faced the Bills in Week 17 last season, they were in position to clinch a playoff berth with a win but they lost 22-17 thanks in large part to three Ryan Fitzpatrick interceptions. The Jets have nothing on the line this Sunday and the results have been better thus far.

Dolphins get on board before half, trail 20-7

For a fair portion of the first quarter, it looked like the Patriots would be able to stroll into halftime content that they’d done enough to win Sunday’s game over the Dolphins. They still hold a comfortable lead, but it will take more than sleepwalking through the rest of the proceedings to ensure they take the top seed in the AFC playoffs.

Cam Newton and Jameis Winston trading turnovers

Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and Bucs counterpart Jameis Winston are playing a fairly awful game of professional football, combining for four turnovers already. Newton just threw a pick-six to Bucs cornerback Brent Grimes , which gave the Buccaneers a 10-7 lead in the third quarter.

Cowboys-Eagles isn’t exactly a thriller

It was 10-10 at halftime, and a Dan Bailey field goal gave the Cowboys the lead early in the third quarter. Mark Sanchez is the third Cowboys’ quarterback of the day; Dak Prescott started, and Tony Romo made a one-series cameo and led a touchdown drive .

Patriots stem Dolphins rally with long Julian Edelman touchdown

Wide receiver Michael Floyd caught his first touchdown pass as a Patriot in the first half of Sunday’s game against the Dolphins and he had a big impact on another touchdown in the second half. Floyd crushed Dolphins cornerback Tony Lippett with a block that helped Julian Edelman turn a short pass into a 77-yard touchdown.

Jordan Reed, Janoris Jenkins active in Washington

The Redskins need a win to get in the playoffs and they’ll have tight end Jordan Reed in the lineup to help the cause. Reed did not play last weekend because of a shoulder injury that’s been bothering him for several weeks, but he was able to practice this week and will spend the first afternoon of 2017 trying to get his team to the postseason for the second straight year.

Bills pull EJ Manuel in favor of Cardale Jones

The Bills opted not to play quarterback Tyrod Taylor on Sunday in what’s been termed a business decision related to the call they have to make about giving Taylor some $30 million in guaranteed money in March. EJ Manuel got the start, but he won’t be finishing the contest.

Jaguars at Colts Live Stream: Watch NFL Online

The Jacksonville Jaguars face the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Week 17. Here’s all the info you need to watch. Neither the Jacksonville Jaguars or Indianapolis Colts will be in the 2017 NFL Playoffs, both submitting disappointing seasons overall.

Cowboys News: Why Cowboys’ Pass Rush Is Emerging At Just The Right Time

Latest Cowboys headlines: Pass rush delivering when Dallas needs it most; Brett Favre likes Dak Prescott as NFL MVP; Cowboys’ success could lead to departures. On behalf of all of us here at Blogging The Boys, we’d like to wish all Cowboys fans out there a Happy New Year! Hopefully 2017 will be a great year for you, your family and of course our Dallas Cowboys.

Patriots should fear nobody in AFC

… against Miami Dolphins during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports of the Boston Herald, pretty much sums it up. “For those who fell asleep early last night like me, the Pats open the playoffs …

Today in History

On Jan. 1, 1942, 26 countries, including the United States, signed the Declaration of the United Nations, pledging “not to make a separate armistice or peace” with members of the Axis. The Rose Bowl was played in Durham, North Carolina, because of security concerns in the wake of Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor; Oregon State defeated Duke, 20-16.

Vikings promote former Gophers WR Fruechte

The Minnesota Vikings have added wide receiver Isaac Fruechte to the active roster for his NFL debut in the season finale, after placing safety Andrew Sendejo on injured reserve Vikings promote former Gophers WR Fruechte The Minnesota Vikings have added wide receiver Isaac Fruechte to the active roster for his NFL debut in the season finale, after placing safety Andrew Sendejo on injured reserve Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2iQKdBk EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. – The Minnesota Vikings have added wide receiver Isaac Fruechte to the active roster for his NFL debut in the season finale, after placing safety Andrew Sendejo on injured reserve.

Vikings promote former Gophers WR Fruechte

The Minnesota Vikings have added wide receiver Isaac Fruechte to the active roster for his NFL debut in the season finale, after placing safety Andrew Sendejo on injured reserve Vikings promote former Gophers WR Fruechte The Minnesota Vikings have added wide receiver Isaac Fruechte to the active roster for his NFL debut in the season finale, after placing safety Andrew Sendejo on injured reserve Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2iQKdBk EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. – The Minnesota Vikings have added wide receiver Isaac Fruechte to the active roster for his NFL debut in the season finale, after placing safety Andrew Sendejo on injured reserve.

Saints’ fans crying like it’s 2008?

Saints’ fans crying like it’s 2008? The New Orleans Saints enter Sunday’s 2016 regular-season finale headed nowhere again. Check out this story on dailyworld.com: Saints fans have a huge difference of opinion on whether Drew Brees has New Orleans pointing forward or still heading backwards entering the 2016 regular-season finale.

Colin Kaepernick Wins San Francisco 49ers’ Len Eshmont Award

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick had a season full of headlines, and it continued with a team accolade on Friday. Kaepernick was awarded the Len Eshmont Award by his teammates, which is given to the 49er who “best exemplifies the inspirational and courageous play of Len Eshmont, an original member of the 1946 49ers team.”