NFL playoffs bracket 2017: Falcons beat up the Packers to advance to Super Bowl LI

Matt Ryan has played like an MVP all season. Why would the NFC Championship be any different?

The nine-year veteran continued his transcendent season, racking up 415 total yards and scoring five touchdowns to lead the Falcons to a 44-21 rout of the Packers Sunday afternoon.

Aaron Rodgers had a difficult performance as his receivers struggled with drops throughout the game. While he finished the game with 287 yards and three touchdowns, his efforts went for naught against a nigh-unstoppable Atlanta team. He ceded his position to backup Brett Hundley in the final minutes of an unwinnable game.

The Falcons blew the doors off the Packers’ defense and capitalized on Green Bay’s mistakes to fire out to a dominant 24-0 lead at halftime. Atlanta scored on its opening drive for the eighth straight game when Ryan delivered an improvised flip pass to Mohamed Sanu to start the scoring. By the time the Packers forced a Falcons punt, the score was already 17-0.

Green Bay’s mistakes weren’t limited to the defensive side of the ball, however. Rodgers led his offense 52 yards in seven plays to set up what appeared to be a Big 12-esque shootout, but Mason Crosby pushed the 41-yard field goal attempt that followed wide right. One drive later, Aaron Ripkowski barreled deep into the Atlanta red zone before fumbling, wasting another important scoring opportunity for the Pack.

Ryan took advantage. He barreled into the end zone for his first rushing touchdown since 2012, then found Julio Jones for a 5-yard strike along the sideline to push Atlanta’s lead to 24-0 at the break. By the end of the first half, the Falcons had out-gained Green Bay, 325-127.

Halftime failed to stem Atlanta’s momentum. A Packers three-and-out set the stage for a 73-yard Jones touchdown that saw him shuck away defensive backs like children. Green Bay finally found its rhythm to cut the Falcon lead to 31-7 the ensuing drive, but it was far too little too late. The Packers’ failed onside kicks gave an already potent offense tremendous field position, and Atlanta capitalized en route to 44 points.

Now, they’ll await the winner of Sunday’s AFC Championship to figure out who they’ll be scoring on in Super Bowl LI.

Saturday, Jan. 7

GAME 1: Houston Texans 27, Oakland Raiders 14

GAME 2: Seattle Seahawks 26, Detroit Lions 6

Sunday, Jan. 8

GAME 3: Pittsburgh Steelers 30, Miami Dolphins 12

GAME 4: Green Bay Packers 38, New York Giants 13

Saturday, Jan. 14

GAME 5: Atlanta Falcons 36, Seattle Seahawks 20

GAME 6: New England Patriots 34, Houston Texans 16

Sunday, Jan. 15

GAME 7: Green Bay Packers 34, Dallas Cowboys 31

GAME 8: Pittsburgh Steelers 18, Kansas City Chiefs 16

Sunday, Jan. 22

NFC Championship: Atlanta Falcons 44, Green Bay Packers 21

AFC Championship: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New England Patriots, 6:40 p.m., CBS

Sunday, Feb. 5

AFC champion vs. Atlanta Falcons, 6:30 p.m., FOX