Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - It took a 49-yard field goal from Matt Bryant with less than 10 seconds remaining, but Matt Ryan finally got the proverbial playoff monkey off his back.
The fifth-year Falcons quarterback threw for 250 yards and three touchdowns en route to his first playoff victory, as Atlanta fought off a second-half surge from the Seattle Seahawks to earn a 30-28 win in an NFC Divisional Playoff at the Georgia Dome.
Ryan, who had dropped his first three playoff appearances, finished 24-of-35 with two interceptions, while Michael Turner rushed for 98 yards on 14 carries for the Falcons, who had lost their last four postseason games.
Atlanta will host an NFC Championship game for the first time next Sunday when the Falcons welcome the NFC West champion San Francisco 49ers to the Georgia Dome.
Russell Wilson finished 24-of-36 for a postseason team record 385 yards with two touchdown passes and one interception, but the rookie's sensational season ended on a sour note, as the Seahawks saw their six-game win streak come to an end.
Wilson also rushed for 60 yards and a score on seven carries, while Marshawn Lynch added 46 yards and a touchdown on 16 rushes for the Seahawks, who have lost their last four NFC Divisional Playoff games.
