Atlanta Falcons running back Jacquizz Rodgers (32) runs Saturday during the third quarter of an NFL game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in DetroitDETROIT – Matt Ryan got what he wanted, helping the Atlanta Falcons win a game they needed to earn home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.
Calvin Johnson had to settle for having a record-breaking night in yet another Detroit loss.
Ryan matched a career high with four touchdown passes, two to Roddy White, and Atlanta led from start to finish in a 31-18 victory over Detroit on Saturday night.
Johnson broke Jerry Rice’s NFL single-season yards receiving mark of 1,848. Johnson also became the first player with 100 yards receiving in eight straight games and the first with 10 receptions in four games in a row. He had 11 receptions for 225 yards, giving him 1,992 this season.
The Falcons (13-2) pulled away with Ryan’s fourth TD pass to wide-open tight end Michael Palmer in the fourth quarter and Matt Bryant’s 20-yard field goal with 3:05 left that gave them a 15-point lead.