FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- With their Week 17 victory over the Panthers, the Falcons became the only NFC team to make the postseason in both 2016 and 2017. A strong defensive effort, a mistake-free day from the offense and another perfect outing from Matt Bryant helped the Falcons secure the final playoff spot.
As always, let's dive into some of the best tweets from the Falcons' victory.
Pregame
Win and we're in. #InBrotherhood pic.twitter.com/QCYwmCUHo2
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 31, 2017
#RiseUp It's Game Day!!! @AtlantaFalcons I'm bringing the whole city with me today!!!#InBrotherhood #WeTrust #InBrotherhood #WeFight#InBrotherhood #WeRise
— Mark Cooper (@HangNwitCoop) December 31, 2017
Game Day —LETS GO!!!#RiseUp pic.twitter.com/2WyTTdPyyO
— Rich McKay (@FalconsRMcKay) December 31, 2017
It's go time. Let's do this. #InBrotherhood pic.twitter.com/tdYIsw74JC
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 31, 2017
First quarter (Falcons 0 Panthers 0)
Carolina wins the toss and defers to the second half. The #Falcons will start out on offense.
— William McFadden (@willmcfadden) December 31, 2017
SANUUUUUUU
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 31, 2017
Ryan finds Sanu for the 18 yard gain down to the Panthers 34. pic.twitter.com/6Rf4XAyyCs
Julio Jones hurt on 3rd play from scrimmage
— Dave Grosby (@Thegroz) December 31, 2017
Julio Jones is back in the lineup #CARvsATL
— Matthew Tabeek (@MatthewTabeek) December 31, 2017
Devonta Freeman starts off this NYE party at @MBStadium!#InBrotherhood pic.twitter.com/oJjgZEwgS4
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 31, 2017
Fast start #Falcons Devonta Freeman’s FIRST TD RECEPTION of season! @AtlantaFalcons
— buck belue (@buckbelue8) December 31, 2017
First quarter (Falcons 7 Panthers 0)
Andy Levitre is questionable to return with a triceps injury. #CARvsATL
— Kelsey Conway (@FalconsKelsey) December 31, 2017
The defense comes out STRONG.
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 31, 2017
A quick 3&out from the Panthers. pic.twitter.com/orFTRC7Dd9
I...I love Falcons defense...? pic.twitter.com/q8O7wstTE6
— Jenna Bannister (@JennaEarwood) December 31, 2017
First down by Tevin Coleman on a stretch run. Pick up of 6.
— Kevin Knight (@FalcoholicKevin) December 31, 2017
Devonta Freeman flicked that JUKE stick to the left 😳 pic.twitter.com/Sp7Sxhm8sT
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 31, 2017
ROBERT ALFORD AGAIN WITH THE PASS BREAKUP
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 31, 2017
Another pass breakup by Robert Alford, making three for the game. Newton 0/9
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 31, 2017
Robert Alford was clearly reading Cam's footwork on those pass breakups. When it's a quick throw, Cam doesn't show any movement when he catches the snap. He stands flat-footed, rocks and throws. Easy to read that. #CARvsATL
— William McFadden (@willmcfadden) December 31, 2017
The #Falcons have two banged-up interior OL and Sark has adjusted by bringing Tevin Coleman & Devonta Freeman in regularly and splitting them out wide for quick passes. Kudos to Sarkisian today. #CARvsATL
— Knox Bardeen (@knoxbardeen) December 31, 2017
Second quarter (Falcons 7 Panthers 0)
Not on our defense!
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 31, 2017
We force the Panthers to punt once again. pic.twitter.com/2SLAc6054e
When we talk about this Falcons defense being really good, it's less what they've done on a weekly basis and more what they CAN do. They have been lights out thus far
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 31, 2017
I wish we had this #Falcons defense last year..
— Evan Birchfield (@EvanBirchfield) December 31, 2017
After beginning the game 3-for-3 on third down, the #Falcons are now 3-for-6. #CARvsATL
— Matthew Tabeek (@MatthewTabeek) December 31, 2017
Takk is a ferocious competitor. He never quits on a play, which is his most endearing quality. #Falcons
— William McFadden (@willmcfadden) December 31, 2017
#Panthers receivers are not getting any sort of separation from the #Falcons corners. Newton is now 0-for-9 and Carolina is 0-for-4 on third downs. #CARvsATL
— Matthew Tabeek (@MatthewTabeek) December 31, 2017
I see u GRADY 👀🙌🏽
— Jack Crawford (@Sack_Religious) December 31, 2017
Prior to the snap, Ricardo Allen came flying in to alert the defensive line to something. I think he saw what was coming with the Cam sneak up the middle. His football IQ is something that I respect immensely, and it's something that truly sets him apart. #CARvsATL
— William McFadden (@willmcfadden) December 31, 2017
Grady Jarrett EXPLODES into the backfield for the SACK!#InBrotherhood pic.twitter.com/ynEsrWQmPz
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 31, 2017
did you seriously let the panthers convert a 3rd and 23 going to a dude named BRENTON BERSIN
— Kendall “Idris Elba” Jackson (@projectjax) December 31, 2017
.@CameronNewton@D_FUNCH
— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2017
SIX for the @Panthers. #KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/JMkmEbyx96
Quick first half Falcons analysis: Play calling by Sarkisian has been good overall. Would like to see the run game a little more. Falcons defense played well overall. Second half is all about getting home to Newton.
— Eric Robinson (@_Eric_Robinson) December 31, 2017
Falcons at half: Defense is playing its heart out, offense lifeless after Levitre left.
— Rise Up Reader (@RiseUpReader) December 31, 2017
But, Arizona up on Seattle, so help coming from elsewhere.
Also, SF up on LAR, so a playoff game in New Orleans is the likely destination if all holds.
Third quarter (Falcons 7 Panthers 7)
#Falcons defense with a nice stop to start the 2nd-half!
— Weñdy Adams (@wendyradio) December 31, 2017
Matt Ryan has the most passing yards by a player in his 1st 10 seasons in NFL history.
— Randall Liu (@RLiuCBS) December 31, 2017
Previous mark was held by Peyton Manning (41,626). Ryan passed him today. pic.twitter.com/HKBhXjPei4
With that catch, Julio Jones is now the fastest player to gain 9,000 receiving yards in his career. #Falcons
— William McFadden (@willmcfadden) December 31, 2017
#MoneyMatt💰 connects on the FG from 30 yards.
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 31, 2017
CAR 7 | ATL 10
Q3 6:31 pic.twitter.com/ryoV6Jh6wv
Third quarter (Falcons 10 Panthers 7)
Ricardo Allen picks off Cam Newton and NO FLAGS!
— Kelsey Conway (@FalconsKelsey) December 31, 2017
Ricardo Allen says "MINE!"#InBrotherhood pic.twitter.com/4oajDdAQC3
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 31, 2017
Sixth career INT for @Ricardo37Allen #CARvsATL
— Matt Haley (@FalconsMHaley) December 31, 2017
Cam with a beautiful throw to a wide open Ricardo Allen Falcons with the ball.
— ATL All Day (@ATLBeatBlog) December 31, 2017
Ricardo Allen was overdue for one of those
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) December 31, 2017
It's like Ricardo Allen was the intended receiver and the defense just blew coverage.
— Preseasonoholic Matt (@FalcoholicMatt) December 31, 2017
#MoneyMatt💰 hits from 42 yards out.
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 31, 2017
CAR 7 | ATL 13
Q3 3:44 pic.twitter.com/eAM6uqNB4O
Third quarter (Falcons 13 Panthers 7)
The MVP for the Atlanta Falcons this year ... the Falcons’ defense. Period!!!#Riseup #InBrotherhood #AtlantaFalcons @AtlantaFalcons
— HometeamBrandonLeak (@HometeamBleak) December 31, 2017
Quality effort there from the Falcons defense. Let’s see if the offense can put another good drive together.
— Matt Chernoff (@RealMattlanta) December 31, 2017
#MoneyMatt💰 hits from 30!
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 31, 2017
CAR 7 | ATL 16
Q4 14:11 pic.twitter.com/oYdYFw5AOJ
3-of-3 for No. 3. #Falcons have a two-possession lead.
— William McFadden (@willmcfadden) December 31, 2017
Fourth quarter (Falcons 16 Panthers 7)
Grady Jarrett is easily the most underrated DT in the NFL
— yikes (@Exxams) December 31, 2017
Nothing Trufant could have done there. Just a perfect pass and catch by Funchess.
— Scott Carasik (@CarasikS) December 31, 2017
i know it's easy to blame trufant, but that's simply a great throw and catch
— Kendall “Idris Elba” Jackson (@projectjax) December 31, 2017
The Panthers get 3 back.
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 31, 2017
CAR 10 | ATL 16
Q4 10:34
Fourth quarter (Falcons 16 Panthers 10)
Matt Bryant makes the 56 yard field goal!! He’s an ageless wonder. MVP of the season. #RiseUp
— Austin (@AustinLatest) January 1, 2018
I wish that I could be as good at something as Matt Bryant is at kicking field goals at the age of 42.
— Scott Carasik (@CarasikS) January 1, 2018
Having Matt Bryant take that kick requires a lot of trust. If he missed it Panthers would’ve been well set up to win the game.
— Nubyjas Wilborn (@nwilborn19) January 1, 2018
56 yards matt Bryant pic.twitter.com/5vVlu5KZSF
— steven harris (@dream_chaser126) January 1, 2018
Matt Bryant laughs at 56-yd FGs
— Weñdy Adams (@wendyradio) January 1, 2018
Money moves! 💰💰💰@Matt_Bryant3 kicks it through from 56 yards! pic.twitter.com/ek3COds0nL
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) January 1, 2018
I'm probably going to name all of my kids after Matt Bryant. That's not weird, right? #CARvsATL
— William McFadden (@willmcfadden) January 1, 2018
Matt Bryant converted his 8th field goal of 50+ yards this season - that's a career high for 50+ yard field goals #CARvsATL
— Matt Haley (@FalconsMHaley) January 1, 2018
Fourth quarter (Falcons 19 Panthers 10)
Keanu Neal with his first career INT! pic.twitter.com/eSufnHxosA
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) January 1, 2018
33-yd FG for #MoneyMatt💰.
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) January 1, 2018
Make that 5-5 today for Bryant.
CAR 10 | ATL 22
Q4 2:27 pic.twitter.com/BveUXdBx3L
Matt Bryant is some kinda good!
— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) January 1, 2018
Say it every chance I can. Matt Bryant has been as consistently great as any Falcon ever.
— Chris Dimino (@chrisdimino) January 1, 2018
Age ain’t nothing thing but a number.@AtlantaFalcons
Fourth quarter (Falcons 22 Panthers 10)
Vic Beasley sack!
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) January 1, 2018
Vic Beasley with the sack #ClemsonNFL pic.twitter.com/MEzlZ2hWpb — ClemsonEditz (@ClemsonEditz_) January 1, 2018
ROBERT ALFORD WITH THE INT! pic.twitter.com/TGYbvGnrzF
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) January 1, 2018
Happy New Years, #Falcons fans. Your team is headed to the playoffs!
— William McFadden (@willmcfadden) January 1, 2018
Postgame (Falcons win 22-10)
W.
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) January 1, 2018
Buckle up. #InBrotherhood pic.twitter.com/emC9MvpmWa
Sliding into the Playoffs like 😎 💯 #BeanTalk #RiseUp pic.twitter.com/rsXHXOHYlF
— Mohamed Sanu Sr. (@Mo_12_Sanu) January 1, 2018
Great Team Win Lets GOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LA We on the way #Riseup
— Taylor Gabriel (@TGdadon1) January 1, 2018
Great Team Win #InBrotherhood
— Justin Hardy (@FreakMagic2) January 1, 2018
Running to the playoffs and a new year !! Great team win #riseup pic.twitter.com/kANnNZQy6D
— Takkarist McKinley (@Takk) January 1, 2018
Stupid penalty today 😂but got the W but happy New Years #Playoffs #InBrotherhood
— Montae Kazee (@Damontaekazee) January 1, 2018
What a blessing to make it to the Playoffs my first year in the NFL!! I love my Brothers to death!! #TheBrotherHoodIsReal
— Duke Riley (@1Goal1Dream) January 1, 2018
Happy New Years From #TheBrotherhood and I.. thankful for a fresh start 0-0! Let’s get itttt! #PlayoffFootball
— Brian Poole (@poolioo) January 1, 2018
RISE THE F*** UP! 😬😬😬
— Ricardo Allen (@Ricardo37Allen) January 1, 2018
