Atlanta Falcons vs Los Angeles Rams: Matt Ryan and Co eager for Super Bowl return but must take down Todd Gurley in LA
Falcons head to LA Coliseum to face high-powered Rams offence in tie of the Wild Card Round
ATLANTA had to wait until week 17 to secure their place in the play-offs and stay on course to reach the Super Bowl for a second straight year.
Many teams would have crumbled the season after surrendering a 25-point Super Bowl lead in one of the biggest collapses in US sport history.
Add to that a move to a new stadium and the time it takes to get accustomed to a new home, and losing offensive co-ordinator Kyle Shanahan to San Francisco.
It's testament to the Falcons' toughness and leadership that they find themselves back in the play-offs this year with a 10-6 record despite being plagued by inconsistency.
You can watch the NFL playoffs on with prices starting at . Or you can catch all the action on .
Their reward is a trip to face the hottest young team in football in the Los Angeles Rams.
After a 4-12 season last year that saw head coach Jeff Fisher sacked, 31-year-old Sean McVay has turned this franchise on it's head.
Led by running back Todd Gurley, 23, and quarterback Jared Goff, 23, the Rams have become the highest scoring team in football.
Last year, it was Atlanta who had the all-conquering offence - what a difference a 12 months makes in the NFL.
Saturday night's clash at the LA Coliseum is expected to be the tie of the round.
Both sides have an abundance of offensive talent, but the Rams probably have the edge defensively and will have the all important home advantage.
But Atlanta have the play-off experience, players who have been there and done it, and a side that is hungry to set the record straight after a humiliating loss to the New England Patriots in Houston last February.
WHO'S THE GOAT? Tom Brady, Brett Favre, Joe Montana... who is the best NFL quarterback ever?
HOW TO WATCH THE PLAY-OFFS
You can watch the NFL playoffs on Sky this year as they’ll be broadcasting all the games live. You can
If you don’t want to sign up for Sky, you can watch the with their Sky Sports pass starting from £6.99.
You can also sign up for which will let you watch all the games, including the Super Bowl, live and on demand
But if there's a Wild Card team capable of doing so, it is these dogged and determined Falcons with Houston chip on their shoulder.
KEY BATTLE
This game will be about which defence can slow down the other side's rushing attack.
Todd Gurley has been nothing short of sensational this season and could win the league's MVP prize the night before the Super Bowl.
But Atlanta have one of the best two-headed monsters the league has seen in recent years with Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman.
Whichever ream runs the ball better will likely seize control at the LA Coliseum.
