Fumble-touchdowns, weasel coaches, and Hail Marys — the end of this game was crazy.
The Falcons led 27-7 going into the fourth quarter of their playoff game against the Seahawks. And yet, Seattle mounted a furious comeback that culminated in this play.
With 30 seconds left, Russell Wilson — who set the record for most passing yards in a playoff game by a rookie, with 385, plus two touchdowns — had the Seahawks on the Falcons' goal line. A touchdown would give them the lead. And unsurprisingly, the ball went to powerful running back Marshawn Lynch. But Lynch is hit at the line, and the ball pops out, landing right in the arms of a Seattle lineman, who ran it in easily.
At first, it would seem like this fumble wouldn't matter — the lineman got in, after all. But a player can't advance the ball if his teammate fumbles, so the question at hand is whether Lynch broke the plane and scored.
Upon further review, it was obvious that he did. Touchdown, Seattle, and all of a sudden, it looks like we just witnessed the greatest comeback in NFL playoff history.
Only one team has ever won when down by 20 at halftime since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. No team has won when down by 20 after three quarters.
Not so fast. Atlanta gets the ball back with 31 seconds left and furiously marches down the field. A Tony Gonzalez catch gets them to the 32-yard-line, and Matt Bryant punches in the go-ahead field goal.
Here he is being ecstatically embraced by his quarterback, Matt Ryan.
