ATLANTA — Matt Ryan and Atlanta put a decisive stamp on the NFC South title and home-field advantage in the playoffs with a 31-10 win over the Carolina Panthers.
The Falcons (13-3) earned their first division title since 2004, home-field edge throughout the NFC playoffs and a bye next weekend. The time off for Ryan and other starters came early, as backups took over in the fourth quarter.
Ryan passed for 236 yards with TDs to Tony Gonzalez and Roddy White, and Eric Weems scored on a 55-yard punt return.
TEXANS 34, JAGUARS 17: At Houston, ArianFoster ran for 180 yards to capture the NFL rushing title for Houston. The Jaguars (8-8) needed a win and a Colts loss to make playoffs, but couldn't overcome the absence of its top two offensive players. Quarterback DavidGarrard had finger surgery Thursday and Pro Bowl running back MauriceJones-Drew sat out with a right knee injury. Indianapolis wound up winning minutes after the Jaguars' game ended.
STEELERS 41, BROWNS 9: At Cleveland, BenRoethlisberger threw two touchdown passes and Pittsburgh won the AFC North to secure a first-round playoff bye. The game could be the final one for Browns coach EricMangini. Roethlisberger, who got to rest most of the second half, threw a 56-yard TD to MikeWallace on his first pass. The Steelers (12-4) built a 31-3 halftime lead and rocked the rival Browns (5-11), who didn't put up much of a fight in their finale.
In winning its third division title in four years, Pittsburgh guaranteed itself at least one postseason home game.
RAVENS 13, BENGALS 7: At Baltimore, EdReed had two interceptions and RayLewis recovered two fumbles, part of an opportunistic defense that carried Baltimore.
Despite the victory, the Ravens (12-4) failed to get the help necessary to win the AFC North. Baltimore needed Pittsburgh to lose to Cleveland, but the Steelers won easily to deny the Ravens a first-round bye. Baltimore will play Kansas City next Sunday and comes into the playoffs with a four-game winning streak. RayRice scored on a 7-yard run and BillyCundiff kicked two field goals for the Ravens, who forced five turnovers to offset the 395 yards in offense amassed by the Bengals (4-12).
RAIDERS 31, CHIEFS 10: At Kansas City, Mo., MichaelBush rushed for 137 yards and a touchdown and short-handed Oakland beat playoff-bound Kansas City to gain a unique NFL distinction. The Raiders (8-8) finished 6-0 in the AFC West, the first team since the 1970 merger to go unbeaten in the division and not make the playoffs. The AFC West champion Chiefs (10-6) were 2-4 in the division, and will host the Ravens in the playoffs next Sunday.
BUCCANEERS 23, SAINTS 13: At New Orleans, JoshFreeman passed for two touchdowns but Tampa Bay failed to make the playoffs. The Bucs (10-6) entered the game needing a victory and losses by both the Giants and Packers to make the post season. The Giants an Packers both won. The Saints (11-5) will open the playoffs next Saturday on the road against the Seahawks.
PATRIOTS 38, DOLPHINS 7: At Foxborough, Mass., TomBrady threw two touchdown passes to cap a record-setting season as New England won its eighth straight. The game meant nothing in the standings. Still, Brady played into the third quarter and finished with 36 touchdowns passing and four interceptions. He extended his NFL records to 335 straight passes without an interception and 28 consecutive regular-season wins as a starter at home.
JETS 38, BILLS 7: At EastRutherford, N.J., MarkBrunell threw two touchdown passes in relief of MarkSanchez,JoeMcKnight ran for a career-high 158 yards and the Jets' defense dominated. Having already clinched a postseason spot, New York (11-5) sat a handful of stars, including LaDainianTomlinson and DarrelleRevis, but still earned the fourth 11-win season in franchise history — and first since the 1998 team went to the AFC championship game.
LIONS 20, VIKINGS 13: At Detroit, BrettFavre stood in street clothes on the sideline in what likely was the final game of his 20-season career, watching the Lions (6-10) beat his Vikings for their fourth straight win. The Vikings (6-10) closed out a lost season by putting the three-time MVP quarterback on the inactive because of a concussion, with rookie JoeWebb making his second start. After the game, Favre said it was time for him to call it a career.
COWBOYS 14, EAGLES 13: At Philadelphia, StephenMcGee threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to JasonWitten with 55 seconds left to lead Dallas over the NFC East champs. MichaelVick and nearly every starter didn't play in a game that had no effect on Philadelphia's playoff positioning. The Eagles (10-6) are locked into the No. 3 seed and will host Green Bay in a wild-card game next Sunday. The Cowboys (6-10) were playing for jobs next year, and the win may convince owner JerryJones to have interim coach JasonGarrett stay on next season.
GIANTS 17, REDSKSINS 14: At Landover, Md., The Giants got the win, but they didn't get the help they needed to make the playoffs. OsiUmenyiora forced two of the defense's four turnovers, and the Giants ended with a 10-6 and no playoff spot after the Packers defeated the Bears to clinch the final NFC postseason spot. The Giants and Buccaneers became the first NFC teams with at least 10 wins to miss the playoffs since 1991. RexGrossman threw for 336 yards for the Redskins, who finished 6-10. Washington went 2-6 at home, its worst mark since 1994.
49ERS 38, CARDINALS 7: At San Francisco, AlexSmith threw a 59-yard touchdown pass to VernonDavis in what likely was the quarterback's final hurrah with the 49ers in a matchup for last place in the awful NFC West. Smith, the 2005 No. 1 overall draft pick who becomes a free agent, threw for 276 yards and two TDs overall and the Niners (6-10) made interim coach JimTomsula a winner in what will probably be his only game coaching the team.
CHARGERS 33, BRONCOS 28: At Denver, Rookie RyanMathews ran for three scores and NateKaeding kicked four field goals for San Diego. The Broncos (4-12) closed out the season with more than 11 losses for the first time in club history, but secured the No. 2 overall pick in the April draft behind Carolina