Photos: Falcons clinch playoff berth with victory

Sports

Photos: Falcons clinch playoff berth with victory

The Falcons hosted the Panthers Sunday in the regular-season finale with a playoff berth on the line.

12/31/2017 -- Atlanta, GA, - Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) embrace after the Falcons beat the Panthers, 22-10, at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Sunday, December 31, 2017. ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM

010118 Atlanta: Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) celebrates his first quarter touchdown against the Carolina Panthers with Julio Jones Sunday December 31, 2017. Photo by Brant Sanderlin/AJC

12/31/2017 -- Atlanta, GA, - Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) carries the ball for a touchdown during the first quarter of the game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Sunday, December 31, 2017. ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM

12/31/2017 -- Atlanta, GA, - Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin (79) tackles Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (22) during the first quarter of the game at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Sunday, December 31, 2017. ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM

12/31/2017 -- Atlanta, GA, - Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman (26) carries the ball down the field during the first quarter of the game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Sunday, December 31, 2017. ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM

12/31/2017 -- Atlanta, GA, - Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) scrambles out of a sack from Carolina Panthers defensive end Mario Addison (97) during the first quarter of the game at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Sunday, December 31, 2017. ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM

010118 Atlanta: Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones can't hold on as Carolina Panthers strong safety Mike Adams defends during the first half Sunday December 31, 2017. Photo by Brant Sanderlin/AJC

12/31/2017 -- Atlanta, GA, - Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman (26) carries the ball for a gain of 3 yards during the first quarter of the game at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Sunday, December 31, 2017. ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM

010118 Atlanta: Atlanta Falcons strong safety Keanu Neal returns an interception against the Carolina Panthers late in the 4th quarter Sunday December 31, 2017. Photo by Brant Sanderlin/AJC

12/31/2017 -- Atlanta, GA, - Carolina Panthers defensive back Jairus Byrd (31) looks to tackle Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (12) during the second half of the game at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Sunday, December 31, 2017. Although the ball was caught in the end zone, the play was not ruled a touchdown. ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM

12/31/2017 -- Atlanta, GA, - Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) runs the ball during the second half of the game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Sunday, December 31, 2017. ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM

12/31/2017 -- Atlanta, GA, - Atlanta Falcons free safety Ricardo Allen (37) is congratulated by Atlanta Falcons free safety Damontae Kazee (27) after he intercepted a ball during the second half of the game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Sunday, December 31, 2017. ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM

12/31/2017 -- Atlanta, GA, - Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) is tackled after running the ball during the second half of the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Sunday, December 31, 2017. ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM

12/31/2017 -- Atlanta, GA, - Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) is tackled after running the ball during the second half of the game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Sunday, December 31, 2017. ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM

12/31/2017 -- Atlanta, GA, - Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Justin Hardy (14) carries the ball toward the Atlanta Falcons end zone during the second half of the game at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Sunday, December 31, 2017. ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM

010118 Atlanta: during the first half Sunday December 31, 2017. Photo by Brant Sanderlin/AJC

12/31/2017 -- Atlanta, GA, - Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Vic Beasley (44) and Atlanta Falcons defensive end Takkarist McKinley (98) celebrate after stoping Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) from passing the ball during the second half of the game at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Sunday, December 31, 2017. The Atlanta Falcons beat the Carolina Panthers, 22-10. ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM

010118 Atlanta: Atlanta Falcons kicker Matt Bryant kicks a field goal in the 4th quarter Sunday December 31, 2017 against the Carolina Panthers.Bryant kicked 5 field goals to help lead the Falcons to a playoff berth. Photo by Brant Sanderlin/AJC

12/31/2017 -- Atlanta, GA, - Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (22) is tackled by Atlanta Falcons middle linebacker Deion Jones (45) during the second half of the game at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Sunday, December 31, 2017. The Atlanta Falcons beat the Carolina Panthers, 22-10. ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM

12/31/2017 -- Atlanta, GA, - Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) gives a thumbs up while running off the field following a win against the Carolina Panthers Mercedes Benz Stadium, Sunday, December 31, 2017. The Atlanta Falcons beat the Carolina Panthers, 22-10. ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM

12/31/2017 -- Atlanta, GA, - Atlanta Falcons kicker Matt Bryant (3) practices before the start of the game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Sunday, December 31, 2017. ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM

010118 Atlanta Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was booed as he soared around the field during pre-game warm-ups before taking on the Atlanta Falcons Sunday December 31, 2017. Photo by Brant Sanderlin/AJC

12/31/2017 -- Atlanta, GA, - Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) emerges from the tunnel before the start of the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Sunday, December 31, 2017. ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM

12/31/2017 -- Atlanta, GA, - Atlanta Falcons cheer for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) as he heads into the tunnel before the start of the game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Sunday, December 31, 2017. ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM

12/31/2017 -- Atlanta, GA, - Kristine Ross and her son David Ross of St. Louis, Missouri, try to get the attention of Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) before the start of the game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Sunday, December 31, 2017. ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM

12/31/2017 -- Atlanta, GA, - People begin to fill the seats before the start of the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers game at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Sunday, December 31, 2017. ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM

12/31/2017 -- Atlanta, GA, -- Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) smiles during practice before the start of the game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Sunday, December 31, 2017. ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM

12/31/2017 -- Atlanta, GA, - The family of Tommy "Mr. Falcon" Nobis pose for a photo with his of Ring of Honor blazer before the start of the game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Sunday, December 31, 2017. ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM

12/31/2017 -- Atlanta, GA, -- Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) practices before the start of the game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Sunday, December 31, 2017. ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM

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12/31/2017 -- Atlanta, GA, - Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) embrace after the Falcons beat the Panthers, 22-10, at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Sunday, December 31, 2017. ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM

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