Falcons secure final NFC playoff spot with win over Panthers; Seahawks ousted
The Atlanta Falcons' hopes of returning to the Super Bowl are still alive.
The Falcons clinched the sixth and final playoff spot in the NFC with a 22-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, eliminating the Seattle Seahawks from contention in the process.
The Falcons won three of their final four games to finish the year at 10-6. They'll join the New Orleans Saints and Panthers as NFC South participants in the playoffs.
The Seahawks needed a win and a Falcons loss to reach the postseason.
The Falcons will visit the NFC West champion Los Angeles Rams in the second game of the wild-card round at 8:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jan. 6.
Atlanta represented the NFC in last year's Super Bowl but infamously blew a 28-3 lead to lose in overtime to the New England Patriots.