Fighting for their playoff lives in Carolina today, the Falcons fell behind 23-7 in the first half. And then they started playing the way a playoff team is supposed to play.
The Falcons outscored the Panthers 24-0 after halftime, coming back to win 31-23 and staying in position to earn an NFC wild-card berth.
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan was outstanding in the second half, with a 31-yard touchdown pass to Jacquizz Rodgers and 17- and 75-yard touchdown passes to Julio Jones. Overall Ryan was 22-for-38 for 320 yards, with four touchdowns and no interceptions. He played just the way a team needs its franchise quarterback to play with a spot in the postseason on the line.
Of course, it’s not a great sign for the Falcons that they came out so flat in a game they needed to win. Falcons coach Mike Smith can’t be happy that his team fell way behind in such a crucial situation.
But the bottom line is that the Falcons got the win, improved their record to 8-5, and remain in excellent position to get to the playoffs. After the way this game started, the Falcons will gladly take that.
