CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Atlanta Falcons are back on top of the NFC South, capturing their first division title since 2012.
Matt Ryan threw for 277 yards and two touchdowns, Tevin Coleman had 135 yards from scrimmage, including a pivotal 55-yard fourth-quarter TD run as the Falcons beat the Panthers 33-16 on Saturday.
The Falcons then had to wait about 3 ½ hours to celebrate when the New Orleans Saints defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-24 to seal Atlanta's first playoff appearance in four years.
"Coming into (training) camp we wanted the division," Falcons safety Keanu Neal said.