The Falcons are NFC champions after Matt Ryan threw for four touchdowns and ran for another in a 44-21 rout of the Packers. Atlanta dominated the first half, scoring on four of their five possessions to take a 24-0 lead into the locker room.
Ryan was 27 of 38 for 392 yards and no interceptions. His primary target was Julius Jones, whose status was in doubt at midway because of a sprained left toe. Jones had nine receptions for 180 yards and two TDs, including a 73-yard grab-and-run that put the Falcons up 31-0 on their second offensive play of the second half.
Atlanta blanked the Packers until Aaron Rodgers hit Davante Adams for a two-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Rodgers was 27 of 45 for 287 yards, three TDs and one interception.
The Falcons are in the Super Bowl for just the second time in their 51-season history, and the first since their loss to Denver in 1999.
Meanwhile, the Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers have entered the second half of the AFC championship game at New England. The Patriots led 20-9 five minutes into the third quarter.
Pats quarterback Tom Brady was sharp in the first half, completing 19 of his passes for 222 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Both TDs went to Chris Hogan, who had seven catches for 117 yards by halftime.
Ben Roethlisberger was 16 of 22 for 136 yards in the opening half.
Early this morning a man was arrested and charged with setting off a fire alarm at the Boston hotel that housed the Steelers. The alarm went off around 3:40 a.m. An East Boston resident was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace and pulling a false alarm. Police say he's been released on $100 bail.
