Falcons fall to 49ers, 28-24, in NFC title game

Former Atlanta RB Downs gives insider's take of '98, '12 Falcons

Gary Downs will be pulling for the Atlanta Falcons just as hard as any other fan today in front of his television. He thinks Atlanta has the talent to get past the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game with a slot in the Super Bowl on the line. Downs, now the head football coach at Riverside Military Academy, would like nothing more than to see the franchise he spent four full seasons playing ...

NFC championship: 2 teams, different perspectives

ATLANTA - The Falcons are well aware of just how desperate this city is for its first Super Bowl championship.

McClure rarely noticed but in middle of everything

FLOWERY BRANCH - When Todd McClure was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons, they had just made it to the Super Bowl for the first time.

Abraham, Babineaux questionable for Falcons

FLOWERY BRANCH - The Atlanta Falcons plan on having defensive end John Abraham ready to lead their pass rush on Sunday in the NFC title game.

Gonzalez one step closer to going out a champ

FLOWERY BRANCH - Tony Gonzalez remembers talking to Michael Strahan after the former New York Giants defensive lineman won a Super Bowl title in his final game.

Falcons say 49ers' Kaepernick poses new challenges

FLOWERY BRANCH - Michael Turner's trademark high-pitched laugh filled the Falcons' locker room.

Smith expects injured Abraham to start vs. 49ers

FLOWERY BRANCH - It's too early for the Atlanta Falcons to know how much defensive end John Abraham will play in Sunday's NFC title game.

Bryant keeps coming through in clutch for Falcons

FLOWERY BRANCH - When Matt Bryant is on the sideline, fully aware the game might be decided by his right leg, he'll drape a towel over his head to shut out the world.

Falcons' coach Nolan to face former team

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Mike Nolan's 3½-year tenure as coach for the San Francisco 49ers offered few highlights on the field.

Smith: 1 playoff win not the Falcons' goal

FLOWERY BRANCH - A slip of the tongue gave away Atlanta coach Mike Smith's focus. Smith was just starting his review Monday of the Falcons' 30-28 win over the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC divisional playoffs when it became clear his thoughts were on this week's NFC championship game against the San Francisco 49ers. "We knew the San Francisco Forty ... excuse me, the Seattle Seahawks, were a very good football team and they showed ...

Falcons blow lead, then rally past Seahawks 30-28

ATLANTA - Matt Bryant kicked a 49-yard field goal with 8 seconds left and the Atlanta Falcons bounced back after blowing a 20-point lead in the fourth quarter, defeating Russell Wilson and the gutty Seattle Seahawks 30-28 in an NFC divisional playoff game Sunday.

Falcons try to end playoff woes against Seahawks

ATLANTA - It's 2010 all over again for the Atlanta Falcons. Just like two seasons back, the Falcons finished 13-3 in the regular season. Once again, they have the top seed and home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs. This time, they vow they're mature enough to make the most of the opportunity. The Falcons will try to end their recent trend of first-game postseason exits Sunday when they play the streaking Seattle Seahawks in the ...

Jones, Robiskie form tight bond with Falcons

FLOWERY BRANCH - Nearly every time Julio Jones reports to work, the second-year Atlanta receiver seeks out position coach Terry Robiskie.

No more 2nd chances for Falcons TE Gonzalez

FLOWERY BRANCH - Tony Gonzalez has no intention of pulling a Ray Lewis before retirement.

Jackson hoping to help Falcons fix rushing woes

FLOWERY BRANCH - Steven Jackson is still trying to feel his way through his first offseason with the Atlanta Falcons.

Falcons' Gonzalez wins Professional Football Writers of America Good Guy Award

ATLANTA - Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez has won the 2013 Good Guy Award from the Professional Football Writers of America.

Conceptual design for new Falcons stadium approved

ATLANTA - The board overseeing planning for a new Falcons stadium in downtown Atlanta gave the thumbs-up Tuesday to a design that invokes the giant bird's wings and would feature enormous windows showcasing views of the city.

Falcons sign second round pick Alford

FLOWERY BRANCH – The Atlanta Falcons announced today that they have signed cornerback Robert Alford. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Falcons' Ryan impressed with team's 'energy' in OTAs

Flowery Branch - Matt Ryan spoke almost in hushed tones whenever the issue of a new contract came up on Tuesday at OTAs.