FALCONS SOAR TO SUPER BOWL

[dogwood30]

As my league commissioner I have finally decided on the new name for my league. It will now be known as the North Jersey Legends Miniature Football League. N.J.L.M.F.L. with the approval of all 48 team owners. Now to todays game.

The Atlanta Falcons used a strong running game and a smothering defense to defeat the Washington Redskins 24-7 in todays NFC Championship Game setting up Super Bowl 48 vs the Houston Texans.

The 1st quarter was all defense by both teams with both teams failing to score. Atlanta drove into Redskin territory on a 28 yd pass from Matt Ryan to Andre Rison, but the drive stalled and Jay Feely missed a 45 yd FG.

Atlanta was having success on the ground but was having trouble converting on 3rd down. On the Falcons first possession of the 2nd quarter RB William Andrews began to gain some good yardage. A 17 yd Andrews run got the ball to the Redskin 42 yd line then Matt Ryan hit TE Jim Mitchell for a 42 yd TD to give Atlanta a 7-0 lead. After the kickoff Washington QB Joe Theisman was intercepted at his own 32 by Falcons DB Tom Pridemore who returned it to the Skins 25. William Andrews then went up the middle and cut left on his way to a 25 yd TD run(photos)and a 14-0 Falcon lead. Just like that Washington was down 2 scores and weren't doing much. The Redskins were able to move the ball into Atlanta territory late in the half but K Mark Mosley missed a 44yd FG and the Falcons got the ball back with 1:38 left. After a pass interference call on Washington's Darrell Green Atlanta moved into field goal range on another big run by Andrews for 20 yards. Jay Feely hit on a 48 yd FG and the Falcons took a commanding 17-0 lead to the locker room.

Washington got it going in the 3rd holding Atlanta to a 3 and out after the kick and went to work after a punt on their own 39. On 1st down Theismann threw for WR Gary Clark and missed but Falcons DB Pete Case was called for pass interference at the Atlanta 41. On the next play RB John Riggins blasted through the Atlanta line and rumbled 41 yds to get Washington back in the game 17-7(photo). Atlanta got the ball at their own 20 and went right back to the ground game but the Redskins defense got stubborn and forced Ryan to throw. Ryan hit Andrews for passes of 20 and 7 yards into Washington territory. Andrews and Jamaal Anderson ran 3 straight times for 9 yards setting up 4th and 1 from the Washington 31. Feely then missed his second field goal from 48 yds and the Redskins still had hope trailing 17-7 after 3 quarters. In the 4th quarter the Redskins had a long drive into Atlanta territory but turned the ball over on downs after Theismann missed on 2 passes and 2 short yard gains on scrambles at the Falcons 44. Andrews continued his big day with a 24 yd run and then put the icing on the cake with a 35 yd catch and run from Matt Ryan with 3:49 left in the game. Andrews would end up with 117 yds rushing and 2 TD's. The Redskins Joe Washington returned the kickoff 59 yards to the Falcons 27 and the Redskins had one last chance. The Skins moved the ball inside the Falcons 10 yd line but used up all of their timeouts before the 2 minute warning. The Falcons defense rose to the occasion and stopped Washington on 4th and 3 at their own 4. The Falcons ran out the clock to win the NFC Championship 24-7. The Falcons celebrated by forming a large letter "A" on the field after the victory(photo). The Falcons will now move on to their 4th Super Bowl vs the Houston Texans in Super Bowl 48 at the new Meadowlands Stadium in NY/NJ. The Early line has Atlanta a 2 1/2 point favorite.

[dogwood30]

Andrews TD & Riggins TD.