Ryan threw for three touchdowns, Jonathan Babineaux recovered a fumble for a touchdown, and the Falcons wrapped up a playoff berth with a 34-18 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
Ryan and the Falcons (12-2) got a few breaks from the officials, some fortunate bounces and three mistakes by Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck to win their eighth straight game, the longest win streak for Atlanta since 1998.
Ryan tossed a pair of touchdowns in the first half, including a 24-yarder to Michael Jenkins in the final minute for a 17-10 lead. He finished 20 of 35 for 174 yards with one interception, while Michael Turner added 82 yards rushing.
On Seattle's first offensive play of the second half, Hasselbeck failed to get rid of the ball in his end zone, was sacked by Jamaal Anderson and fumbled. At the bottom of the pile was Babineaux, and the score gave the Falcons a 24-10 lead.
Hasselbeck followed with interceptions on Seattle's next two series' and was eventually replaced by Charlie Whitehurst. Hasselbeck now has 13 turnovers - 10 interceptions and three fumbles - in Seattle's last four games.
Anderson appeared to get away with a facemask on Hasselbeck's fumble, and both Hasselbeck and Seattle coach Pete Carroll screamed at referee Walt Coleman with Carroll having to hold back his quarterback.
It continued a trend of breaks for Atlanta that started on the Falcons' first drive when it appeared Ryan got a pair of fortunate spots on third and fourth down runs. Ryan capped the drive with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Jason Snelling.
Snelling later fumbled on consecutive plays, the first one falling right to Brian Finneran, the second scooped up by Roddy White and good enough for a first down. Those recoveries eventually led to a 27-yard field goal by Matt Bryant.
Ryan added a 24-yard TD to Jenkins late in the first half, picking on backup cornerback Kennard Cox after Seattle's Marcus Trufant left with a back injury.
But no matter the calls or bounces, the Falcons were clearly the dominant team and will finally go home after three straight road games next Monday night with a chance to wrap up the NFC South against New Orleans.
White caught a 5-yard TD in the third quarter, and finished with seven catches raising his league leading total to 106. Tony Gonzalez caught four passes, giving him 62 for the season and setting a league record with his 12th straight season with at least 60 receptions.
Amazingly, Seattle (6-8) could still join Atlanta in the playoffs. Seattle got exactly the help it needed when Kansas City beat St. Louis, keeping both the Seahawks and Rams tied at 6-8 on top of the NFC West.
Not that either team probably deserves the playoff berth and home game.
Seattle was nearly perfect on its opening drive in taking a 7-0 lead on Marshawn Lynch's 1-yard plunge and from there did little right. Hasselbeck followed up his costly end zone mistake by throwing interceptions on the Seahawks next two possessions, getting loudly booed.
Whitehurst was greeted with cheers from the remaining fans. The decision will only fuel speculation on what future Hasselbeck might have in Seattle - not only after this season, but next week at Tampa Bay.
The fans seemed to make their choice, chanting "Charlie" after Whitehurst scored on a 1-yard TD run in the fourth quarter. Hasselbeck finished 10 of 17 for 71 yards and has tied his career-high with 17 interceptions this season. Whitehurst finished 8 of 16 for 83 yards.
Atlanta Falcons Roddy White waves to the crowd after catching a touchdown-pass against the Seattle Seahawks in the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday in Seattle. / photo: Associated Press
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