Atlanta Falcons prepare for playoffs

After completion of a satisfying regular season, the Atlanta Falcons will quickly turn the page this week in preparation for the NFL playoffs.

The 31-27 victory over the St. Louis Rams inside the Georgia Dome Sunday capped an 11-5 season for the Falcons--a 7-win improvement over last season. The disaster of 2007 included star quarterback Michael Vick landing in federal prison on a dogfighting conviction, and the team's head coach quitting near the end of the season.

Now under the guidance of new head coach Mike Smith and the surprising play of rookie quarterback Matt Ryan, the Falcons hit the playoffs. They will go on the road for a wild card matchup in Phoneix against the Arizona Cardinals. Kickoff is 4:30pm Saturday.

Turnaround complete--Atlanta Falcons in playoffs

Only one year ago, the NFL's Atlanta Falcons were in nearly complete disarray. Their star quarterback was convicted of federal dogfighting charges and landed in prison, and their first-year head coach quit the team with three games to go. It all equated to a 4-win season. But that was last season.

This season, the Falcons have a new head coach and rookie quarterback among their new faces--and they've made the playoffs. The Falcons on Sunday held-on for a 24-17 win at Minnesota. With the victory, the Falcons secured a wild-card playoff spot. At 10-5 with one regular season game to go, they still have a chance to win their division and improve their playoff seeding.

Georgia sports for Friday, November 16th

Playoffs open tonight across Georgia in high school football. A full slate of action is scheduled across the 5 classifications. The 5-week playoff stretch leads to the big semifinal weekend in Atlanta's Georgia Dome December 7th and 8th, and the following weekend's championship games.

Setting the college football weekend ahead: Georgia's Bulldogs play their final home game of the season, a key SEC matchup in Athens against Kentucky. Georgia Tech's Yellow Jackets are home in Atlanta to host North Carolina in the final ACC game of the regular season. Tech and Georgia next weekend face-off in their annual grudge match. For Georgia Southern, the Eagles travel to Colorado State to conclude their regular season schedule.

Georgia sports for Tuesday, September 25th

The Braves open the final week of the regular season on the road--their remaining 6 games on the schedule begin tonight with the 1st of 3 against the Phillies in Philidelphia. Alive but barely are the Braves in the playoff race. They stand 5 games out of 1st in the NL-East division, along with a 3-game deficit in the race for the National League wild card ticket. The Braves have been making a push the past week or so, as they've won 7 of their last 8 games.

Suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has more legal problems to deal with. Already awaiting December-sentencing for his guilty plea to federal dogfighting charges, Vick along with his three co-defendants Tuesday was indicted on two state felony charges relating to dogfighting. One of those charges, killing or beating a dog, carries up to five years in prison and a $2,500 fine for each dog.