NFL: Atlanta 24, Minnesota 17

MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Matt Ryan passed for 134 yards with one touchdown Sunday and the Atlanta Falcons secured an NFC wild-card berth with a 24-17 win over Minnesota.

Atlanta took a 24-7 halftime lead and held off the Vikings the rest of the way, completing an improbable playoff charge with Ryan at quarterback replacing Michael Vick, who is serving a prison term on dogfighting charges.

Ryan was Atlanta's top pick in the 2008 NFL draft out of Boston College. Sunday, he completed 13-of-24 passes for 134 yards without an interception.

Michael Turner gained 70 yards on 19 carries, while Michael Jenkins caught four passes for 61 yards for the Falcons (10-5), whose win eliminated Washington from playoff contention.

Tarvaris Jackson threw for two touchdowns, completing 22-of-36 passes for 233 yards, and added 76 yards on eight carries for the Vikings (9-6), whose four-game winning streak ended.

Minnesota's Adrian Peterson's 76 yards on 22 carries put him in position to capture the NFL rushing title next Sunday.