Seattle stormed back to take last-minute 28-27 lead after trailing 20-0 ATLANTA — This is a different bunch of Atlanta Falcons, all right, one lucky bunch as they stand two wins from hoisting a Lombardi Trophy different after surviving a furious second-half Seattle Seahawks comeback to finally get over their postseason hump.
Maybe it's fitting that they had to withstand another, oh-so-close postseason meltdown to exorcise their 0-for-3 playoff demons (since 2008) on Matt Bryant's 49-yard field goal in a 30-28 divisional-round escape for the ages.
It took five years and a harrowing, Russell Wilson-led comeback from 27-7 for quarterback Matt Ryan and coach Mike Smith to shed three year's worth of playoff frustration and national doubt like an 800-pound silverback lifted off their shoulders.
BOX SCORE: Falcons 30, Seahawks 28
Ryan's three-touchdown passing backed by a rugged run game and rock-solid defense stopped the gritty, fifth-seeded Seahawks. But only after Ryan hit Harry Douglas for 22 yards and then hit Tony Gonzalez for 19 yards to set up Bryant's game-winner with seconds to go. Receiver Julio Jones played free safety, intercepting Wilson's 48-yard Hail Mary heave into the end zone to end the game.
A clearly emotional Gonzalez wandered onto the field after the final whistle, enjoying the first playoff victory of his 16-year career.
The top-seed Falcons will host the San Francisco 49ers in next Sunday's NFC Championship Game inside the Georgia Dome after getting their first playoff win since 2004 in dramatic, implausible fashion.
Those three Ryan touchdown passes seemed fitting — one to help erase each of his previous three playoff failures as he finally claimed postseason redemption.
Coming in, Ryan had thrown for an average of just 194.7 yards with three touchdowns and four interceptions for a 71.2 passer rating in his three, one-and-done postseason eliminations.
This time, Ryan fired for 250 yards and three touchdowns to overcome his two interceptions.
Atlanta Falcons kicker Matt Bryant (3) celebrates with teammates after kicking the game-winning field goal against the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter of the NFC divisional playoff game at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 30-28.
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Atlanta Falcons kicker Matt Bryant (3) celebrates after kicking the game-winning field goal against the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter of the NFC divisional playoff game at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 30-28.
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Atlanta Falcons kicker Matt Bryant (3) kicks the game-winning field goal against the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter of the NFC divisional playoff game at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 30-28.
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Seattle Seahawks center Max Unger (60) and Mike Person (75) celebrate a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the fourth quarter of the NFC divisional playoff game at the Georgia Dome.
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Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) scores a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the fourth quarter of the NFC divisional playoff game at the Georgia Dome. He fumbled the ball after he crossed into the end zone.
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) and Jason Snelling (44) celebrate Snelling's touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks in the third quarter of the NFC divisional playoff game at the Georgia Dome.
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Seattle Seahawks linebacker Heath Farwell (55) reacts with Jeremy Lane (20) during the third quarter of the NFC divisional playoff game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome.The Falcons won 30-28.
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Seattle Seahawks tight end Zach Miller (86) runs against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson (23) during the second half of the NFC divisional playoff game at the Georgia Dome.
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Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) throws the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter in the NFC divisional playoff game.The Falcons won 30-28.
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Seattle Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas (29) intercepts a pass intended for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White (84) during the fourth quarter of the NFC divisional playoff game at the Georgia Dome.
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Atlanta Falcons tight end Chase Coffman (86) catches a pass in front of Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Leroy Hill (56) during the first quarter in the NFC divisional playoff game at the Georgia Dome.
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Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) knocks down a pass intended for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White (84) in the first quarter of the NFC divisional playoff game.
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Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) calls a play against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter of the NFC divisional playoff game at the Georgia Dome.
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Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Stephen Nicholas (54) reacts during the first quarter of the NFC divisional playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks at the Georgia Dome.
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Atlanta Falcons running back Jacquizz Rodgers (32) runs against Seattle Seahawks strong safety Kam Chancellor (31) during the first quarter of the NFC divisional playoff game.
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Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux (95) pressures Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) in the second quarter of the NFC divisional playoff game at the Georgia Dome.The Falcons won 30-28.
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Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner (33) carries the ball past Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker K.J. Wright (50) and Bobby Wagner (54) during the second quarter in the NFC divisional playoff game.The Falcons won 30-28.
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Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez (88) celebrates his touchdown catch against the Seattle Seahawks in the first quarter of the NFC divisional playoff game.The Falcons won 30-28.
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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White (84) celebrates his touchdown catch with Harry Douglas (83) as Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) looks on during the second quarter in the NFC divisional playoff game at the Georgia Dome.
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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White (84) catches a touchdown pass from Matt Ryan (not pictured) past Seattle Seahawks strong safety Kam Chancellor (31) in the second quarter of the NFC divisional playoff game.The Falcons won 30-28.
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Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) throws against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter of the NFC divisional playoff game at the Georgia Dome.
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Atlanta Falcons free safety Thomas DeCoud (28) reacts during the second quarter of the NFC divisional playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks at the Georgia Dome.The Falcons won 30-28.
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Atlanta Falcons defensive end Vance Walker (99) chases down Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) in the third quarter of the NFC divisional playoff game at the Georgia Dome.
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Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate (81) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in the third quarter of the NFC divisional playoff game.
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Atlanta Falcons middle linebacker Akeem Dent (52) hits Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during the second quarter in the NFC divisional playoff game at the Georgia Dome.The Falcons won 30-28.
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Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux (95) and Peria Jerry (94) tackles Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) during the second quarter in the NFC divisional playoff game at the Georgia Dome.
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