Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) yells from the line of scrimmage in the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010, in Seattle. The Falcons won 34-18. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons hope their home-field advantage in the NFL playoffs will make up for a shortage of players who have won in the postseason.
The Falcons have no players who have appeared in a Super Bowl, and the roster is filled with guys starved for playoff success — most notably tight end Tony Gonzalez and linebacker Mike Peterson, each 34 years old.
Only three — center Todd McClure and receivers Brian Finneran and Michael Jenkins — were with the team for Atlanta’s last playoff win in 2004.
The Falcons, who have a bye this weekend, are counting on their strong home record and the added experience of quarterback Matt Ryan and other key players who remain from the 2008 team that lost its playoff opener at Arizona.
“I think the playoff experience that we had two years ago will be beneficial for our football team,” said coach Mike Smith, who was a rookie head coach in 2008. “Our guys had an opportunity to experience it even though we didn’t get the outcome we wanted. I think it was a learning experience for us all, not only the players but the coaching staff.”