Falcons put Packers to sword to end 18-year Superbowl final wait
The Atlanta Falcons made it to their second ever Super Bowl with an emphatic 44-21 win over the Green Bay Packers at the Georgia Dome on Sunday.
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The Atlanta Falcons made it to their second ever Super Bowl with an emphatic 44-21 win over the Green Bay Packers at the Georgia Dome on Sunday.
Mohamed Sanu started the scoring with a two-yard pass from Matt Ryan before Matt Bryant kicked a field goal to give the home side a 10-0 lead that they would not relinquish for the rest of the game. Matt Ryan was the next player to get into the endzone after a 14-yard run following a nine play 80-yard drive.
A Julio Jones five-yard touchdown catch after another nine play drive would give the Falcons a 24-0 lead at the half. Matt Ryan finished the half with a very healthy 22 for 32 passes and 271 yards, two passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown.
Falcons relentless
The Falcons were absolutely relentless and struck again just after the break when Matt Ryan found Julio Jones for a 73-yard touchdown pass and, at this stage, the Falcons were out of sight.The Packers finally got on the board with a two-yard touchdown catch by Davonte Adams and the Packers' mini-comeback was on.
After Devonta Freeman caught a four-yard touchdown pass to leave 30 between the teams at 37-7, Jordy Nelson caught a touchdown from Aaron Rodgers and Aaron Ripkowski rushed for the two-point conversion. A failed onside kick left the Falcons with a short field and they capitalised with a seven play, 33-yard drive that ended with Tevin Coleman rushing into the endzone to leave the scores at 44-15 to the home team.
The Packers needed a miracle at this point that would not arrive.Jared Cook reduced the deficit when he caught a touchdown on a corner route but the Packers' failed two-point attempt brought with it the end of their lofty dreams of a comeback. It would end 44-21 and Matt Ryan finished with four passing touchdowns, one running touchdown and 392 yards in the air.
It is the first Super Bowl for the Falcons since 1999 when they lost to a John Elway-led Denver Broncos side 34-19 in Super Bowl XXXIII and their second Super Bowl since they were established in 1965, 51 years ago.