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ATLANTA, GA. (AP) -- After a wild ending to their improbable regular season, the Atlanta Falcons are headed to a wild-card playoff game.

Jerious Norwood ran for two touchdowns, including the go-ahead 45-yard run with 3:41 left, and the Atlanta Falcons held off the
St. Louis Rams 31-27 on Sunday to clinch the No. 5 seed in the NFC.

The Falcons improved to 11-5, completing their improbable run to the playoffs after a 4-12 finish in 2007. But Atlanta's hopes of
winning the NFC South and a first-round bye in the playoffs ended with Carolina's 33-31 win at New Orleans. The Falcons hoped for a home game but will instead will travel to NFC West champion Arizona for a wild-card game next week.

Atlanta overcame three turnovers, including two in the fourth quarter, to give the Rams (2-14) their 10th straight loss.

(Copyright ©2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)