Postseason Includes Falcons, Dolphins

Atlanta waited almost to the very end to nail down the final NFC playoff berth. Miami had to wait even longer for the last AFC spot.

The Falcons were the only team that could control their destiny on the last Sunday of the regular season, needing a win to clinch a wild-card spot. They got it late, edging San Francisco 28-27 and killing the playoff chances of Chicago, Minnesota and St. Louis in the process.

Miami needed some help and got it from Denver. First the Dolphins defeated St. Louis 41-22, then watched as the Broncos to beat Oakland 31-28, ending the Raiders’ hopes.

Bobby Hebert replaced an injured Jeff George for Atlanta and threw two touchdown passes to Terance Mathis, the last a 37-yarder with 1:45 left in the game. Then Kevin Ross intercepted Steve Young’s pass with 19 seconds remaining to seal the victory.

The loss damaged San Francisco’s hold on the home-field advantage. San Francisco needs Dallas to lose tonight at Arizona to regain the edge. Otherwise the Cowboys get it.