The Latest: Ryan's TD gives Falcons 17-0 lead

The Latest on the NFL conference championship games (all times Eastern):

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4:15 p.m.

Matt Ryan had gone 82 games without a rushing touchdown before scrambling for a 14-yard score that put the Falcons up 17-0 midway through the second quarter.

The All-Pro QB loves to be self-deprecating about his lack of elite athleticism when running, and he looked a bit awkward as he dove across the goal line. But he faked out linebacker Joe Thomas to get the space he needed to reach the end zone.

- George Henry reporting from Atlanta.

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4:02 p.m.

It's too early to call it a harbinger, but Green Bay is 0-4 in the postseason when trailing by 10 points after the first quarter.

The Packers came unhinged on their first two drives. Mason Crosby missed a 41-yard field goal and fullback Aaron Ripkowski had the ball stripped and recovered by cornerback Jalen Collins at the goal line.

Ripkowski burst through the line to the second level of the defense before losing the ball. He slammed his fist against the Georgia Turf in frustration.

The mistake was costly as Atlanta took possession and marched 80 yards in nine plays, making it 17-0 on Matt Ryan's 14-yard scramble.

- George Henry reporting from Atlanta.

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3:40 p.m.

Mason Crosby missed a 41-yard field-goal attempt on Green Bay's opening drive, ending his NFL-record streak of 23 consecutive field goals in the postseason.

Crosby was wide-right on the kick.

Crosby has made 26 of 29 attempts in his postseason career.

- Charles Odum reporting from Atlanta

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3:33 p.m.

Jordy Nelson may have broken ribs, but the Packers' leading receiver looks like his old self, catching passes for 27 and 15 yards from Aaron Rodgers on Green Bay's opening drive.

Nelson missed last week's win at Dallas and did not practice this week.

The drive fizzled on Mason Crosby's missed 41-yard field goal wide right and Atlanta leading 7-0.

- George Henry reporting from Atlanta

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3:24 p.m.

Matt Ryan's 3-yard shovel pass to Mohamed Sanu has put the Falcons up 7-0 on Green Bay in the NFC championship game, giving Atlanta an opening-drive TD in eight straight games.

With other receivers covered, Ryan rolled out of the pocket to his left and pitched the ball to Sanu, who was wide open just inside the goal line. It was the third third down of the drive with catches by Julio Jones and Sanu. Fullback Patrick DiMarco had the biggest gain, catching a pass in the right flats for a 31-yard gain.https://twitter.com/NFL/status/823262750688149504

Ryan has thrown 15 TDs and no interceptions in the Falcons' last six games.

- George Henry reporting from Atlanta

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The NFC championship game is expected to close out the Georgia Dome with a shootout, with oddsmakers expecting 60 points combined from the Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers.

That game opens conference championship Sunday at 3:05 p.m. on Fox, with the winner headed to Super Bowl 51 in Houston to take on the winner of the late game between the Patriots and Steelers.

Pittsburgh is a 4 1/2-point underdog in New England, where the weather shouldn't be a huge factor. It's cloudy, but the temperature should not drop below 35 degrees. That game starts around 6:40 p.m. on CBS.

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