Atlanta Falcons: Falcons to face white-hot Seahawks at 1 p.m. Sunday at Georgia Dome
The Falcons' Michael Turner (center) rushes against Seattle in first half action last season. (Associated Press).
FLOWERY BRANCH – Coach Mike Smith, the winningest coach in team history, has the Falcons poised to make an unprecedented third straight appearance in the NFL playoffs.
The Falcons, the No. 1 seed, will host the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC divisional round at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Georgia Dome. The Seahawks advanced with a 24-14 victory over Washington on Sunday.
The Falcons are 0-3 in the playoffs under Smith, but are determined to reverse the direction of their recent playoff fortunes.
Each time they lost to the team that went on to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl and the last two playoff defeats were to the eventual Super Bowl champion in Green Bay and the New York Giants.
Smith doesn’t have to look too far for a signal that things are going to change.
“Matt (Ryan) has had a great regular season for us this year,” Smith said of his quarterback. “He’s got the individual accolades. He’s led our team through some tough ball games and been able to pull them out. Those experiences will help us in the post-season.”
In a meeting with Seattle last season on Oct. 2, 2011, the Falcons jumped out to a 27-7 lead, but had to hold on for a 30-28 victory.
Seattle kicker Steven Hauschka missed a 61-yard field goal attempt at the buzzer. It was short and wide left.
In the last meeting, Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch was held to 24 yards on eight carries and one touchdown. He rumbled for 131 yards on 19 carries and one touchdown against the Redskins.
The Falcons faced quarterback Tarvaris Jackson in that previous matchup. The Seahawks are a much different team with rookie Russell Wilson at quarterback.
“I’m just very impressed with his maturity,” said Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon, who broadcasts Seattle’s games in an interview on 790 The Zone. “His work ethic and the way he just comes to work with a sense of purpose every day; it doesn’t change. It doesn’t waiver. It doesn’t matter what the situation is. It doesn’t matter if they won the game by 50 or lose by 7, he comes to work with that same attitude each and every day.”
The Seahawks also received a boost against Washington from the return of cornerback Brandon Browner, who was suspended four games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
Unlike in 2010 when the Falcons were the No. 1 seed, the Falcons had a full week of practice during the bye week. They are hoping the extra work will allow them to stay in a rhythm.
The players contend this playoff trip will be different.
“The coaching, the locker room, the brotherhood in the locker room is totally different than 2010,” defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux said. “I think that guys are eager to get into the playoffs and make our presence known. We are a team that’s going to be able to make this run in the playoffs.”
The Falcons know that stopping Lynch will be a key to their efforts against the Seahawks.
“Every play starts with the (defensive) line,” Babineaux said. “What we do up front dictates a lot of what happens on the back end. It’s our job to fill in our gaps, secure our gaps and make sure that the ball doesn’t run in our gaps. If it does, we have to make the tackle. That’s the type of attitude that we have to have from here on out. We have to be stout in everything that we do.”
The Falcons are facing arguably the hottest team in the NFC. The Seahawks have won their last six games.
Before the playoff game, the Seahawks had outscored their five previous opponents 193-60, including a 58-0 rout of Arizona and a 42-13 rout of San Francisco.
The Seattle defense has not given up more than 28 points in one game this season.
The Seattle won all eight game home games, but they had to learn how to win on the road.
“That was the hurdle they had to get over,” Moon said. “When you have a young football team. When you have a young quarterback, you just have to figure out what it takes to win out on the road, especially in close football games.”
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277 comments Add your comment
Hugh Jardon
January 6th, 2013
10:53 pm
Jamaaliver
8:02 pm
“Notice that none of the teams they beat up on and healthy, elite, experienced quarterbacks at the helm.”
You must be kidding. Aaron Rogers? Tom Brady ? HELLO? Did you forget about them? Both elite and healthy and certainly they are hands down better than MR. They also beat Cam Newton and Tony Romo who are both as good as Ryan.
What are you thinkin’?
Better yet, what you smoking?
Hugh Jardon
January 6th, 2013
11:00 pm
You Falcons fans obviously have no depth in your thinking and will underestimate Russell Wilson and the Seahawks all the way to a loss. Don’t be surprised when it happens.
Yeeeah
January 6th, 2013
11:16 pm
There is no way possible Atlanta is going to lose this one, won’t even be close I gurantee it
—RISE UP!!
The Beast cometh
January 6th, 2013
11:17 pm
Woe to you o Atlanta Falcons
For Seattle sends the beast with wrath
Because he knows that time is short
Let him who hath understanding recon the number of the beast
For it is a human number
It’s number is 24
We’re coming for you Atlanta!
Nathaniel Diaz
January 6th, 2013
11:20 pm
be aware of the rookie qb that we have to give you birds this is someone you have never faced before you stupid falcon fans and our deffence is strong too so watch yourself fools you havent played anyone good now its time to face off aginst a powerful seahawks team with offense and deffense
Nathaniel Diaz
January 6th, 2013
11:24 pm
say all you want falcon fans but when your team loses dont come crying to us seahawk fans
Falcon skeptic
January 6th, 2013
11:24 pm
Get ready to experience the Legion of Boom!!!!! Kam Chancellor, Earl Thomas, Beast Mode, et al are about to make Sherman’s burning of Atlanta look like child’s play.
SawThat1nce
January 6th, 2013
11:30 pm
These Taints fans on this blog are funny, they change their monikers after their teams tanks out, and keep on with their idiotic BS.
Chicken-sheot cowards.
The Beast cometh
January 6th, 2013
11:32 pm
You ladies better put on your big boy pants for next week. You’ve never seen a defense like ours. Tom Brady has, Aaron Rogers has. They went up against it and lost. Soon, you too will know what it feels like to be dominated by Seahawk football. Make it loud in that dome of yours boys, that’s how we like it. You bring the noise, we’ll bring the fast, the beast, the BOOM.
Scoreboard
January 6th, 2013
11:42 pm
………… FALCONS 59
………… seahawks 3
SeaEatingChickens
January 7th, 2013
12:03 am
Falcons are fast but HAWKS are bigger and stronger. Looking at your 13 -3 record, impressive; yet not that impressive. You guys had a lot of close games. For all that offense, you barely blew out anyone. A lot of bad teams had good games against you. Seahawks play in a way tougher division as well. Seahawks win: 34 – 17. By the way, Seattle beat themselves against Redskins and still easily won 24 – 14.
Gary Cox
January 7th, 2013
12:09 am
Please keep underestimating the HAWKS. We love it… see you ALL soon.
The Beast cometh
January 7th, 2013
12:10 am
Seahawks 23 Chicago 17
Cardinals 0 Seattle 58
Seahawks 50 Bills 17
49ers 13 Seahawks 42
Rams 13 Seahawks 20
Seahawks 24 DC 14
You’re next, Atlanta
Seattle 42 Atlanta 10
1998 NFC Champions
January 7th, 2013
12:17 am
Who cares if the Seahawks are red hot? I’m sick of tipping my cap to the other guy. I’m sick of saying we ran into the team of destiny. I’m sick of saying we’ll get ‘em next year. Our time is now. We’ve had our share of postseason disappointment; now is when Matt Ryan and Mike Smith have to validate their tremendous regular season achievements.
No excuses, boys. You’re at home against a team that isn’t nearly as scary outside of its friendly confines. Go get it done.
1998 NFC Champions
January 7th, 2013
12:19 am
“Make it loud in that dome of yours boys, that’s how we like it. You bring the noise, we’ll bring the fast, the beast, the BOOM.”
Considering you’re only 4-5 on the road this year, that’s clearly not how you like it.
Bring it on, Seatrolls.
Kim Zolicak
January 7th, 2013
12:37 am
chris clemons has a torn acl.
UGA ECONOMICS MAJOR
January 7th, 2013
12:42 am
ATLANTA FALCON 27 SEATTLE 10 …. PLAYOFF EXPERIENCE AND FALCON POISE WILL WIN…AINTS GET OFF OUR BLOGS…
Go Deep
January 7th, 2013
12:46 am
That was a sloppy game by Seehacks. Atlanta will put the hammer down and hold it there.
honey momo
January 7th, 2013
12:52 am
can falcon QB will block for RB or will he chicken out?
OPEN YOUR EYES
January 7th, 2013
12:53 am
MATTY ICE WILL SLOWLY PICK APART THE SEACHICKENS SLOW SECONDARY!!!!!!!
Dan, King of Seattle
January 7th, 2013
1:14 am
We’re coming for you…
OPEN YOUR EYES
January 7th, 2013
1:30 am
NAH YOUR GARBAGE
Party-buster
January 7th, 2013
1:35 am
Hate to break this to you Atlanta, but the Seahawks are 11-1 since week 8, and their only loss came after not taking a patsy seriously after a bye week. Just sayin.
seattle is a joke
January 7th, 2013
2:30 am
wow a win by beating a rookie 1 legged QB after he was further injured…very unimpressive… had he not been injured wworse that 14-0 start could have easily become a 28-0 start. Russel wilson was not that good and shanahan is not that great of a playcaller. Bottom line: this same defense that has been so hyped to us we torched last year with the rookie Julio and roddy white and we had our old coordinators and our old defense. Shame on the media for overlooking how we dominated seattle last year going up 28-7 before we pulled our foot off the gas on this exact same defense.
seattle is a joke
January 7th, 2013
2:31 am
*worse
honey momo
January 7th, 2013
2:58 am
Seahawks not that good, but good enough to beat falcons. seahawks 37–12 Falcons.
SeenThisBFalcon
January 7th, 2013
7:52 am
ok let me wake you up this morning…though sattle is good chris clemons there top pass rusher is out and there other starting rookiecorner got exposed yesterday..russell wilson alomst turned the ball over a couple times yesterday and if you’ve noticed running quaterbacks will eventually get hurt and or fumble the ball..i think russell wilson is god but not great he is still a rookie and the falcons are a vetean team that will have the 12th man behind them..i think russell wilon will make some mistakes and cost seattle 10 points…our offense will muster 17…I got the dirty birds 27-16 our defense is better than the redskns and won’t quit like theydid…
Vu Ḉa Avant
January 7th, 2013
8:18 am
The falcan’ts will fold, as is their norm in the playoffs.
Seattle 24
falcan’ts 3
Weener
January 7th, 2013
8:22 am
Please tell me you guys aren’t a bunch of scaredy cats! The Falcons should DOMINATE seattle. Period. Besides Lynch and Wilson they got nada. MR2 will eat their lunch, and we will run on these guys as well. Yes, I said it; our running game will be firing on all cylinders. Go Falcons!!
Seahawkfan
January 7th, 2013
8:28 am
Who did the Seahawks play? They only had the best winning record in the league against winning opponents. http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/sea/seattle-seahawks
The beat the Patriots, the 49ers, Minnesota, Dallas, Green Bay, and now the Skins.
Regardless, the Falcons won 13 games, which is pretty impressive.
Let the Battle of the Birdhats begin!
Esquire
January 7th, 2013
8:40 am
Fly little bird, fly to Washington, flap those wings. It’s a long long way.
Fly little bird, fly home to Seattle, flap those wings, it’s a long long way. Don’t be weary.
Fly little bird, fly to Atlanta, flap those wings, it’s a long long way. Don’t be weary.
Fly little bird, fly home to Seattle, flap those wings, ever so weary, it will be the longest flight you ever had.
WE ARE THE MIGHTY MIGHTY FALCONS!!!!
Esquire
January 7th, 2013
8:52 am
Hey Roddy, tell Richard Sherman to meet you at the 50 yard line “after” the game. We don’t need you to cost us a 15 yard unsportsmanlike during the game.
falconfanriseup
January 7th, 2013
8:58 am
First off the Seahawks are not hot. They only won cuz RG3 got hurt.
The Falcons will dominate this game from start to finish. Falcons roll 42-10
JoFo
January 7th, 2013
9:02 am
That is true Falcons Fan, the SHs do play in the NFCs weakest division.
falconfanriseup
January 7th, 2013
9:02 am
Not a close one Falcons 42-Seahawks 10
crackbaby
January 7th, 2013
9:11 am
Piling on – my observations / predictions / guesses (worthless as they may be).
If you want to win the Superbowl, you need to beat the best teams so we welcome Seattle to the Dome.
Seahawks are marginal at best in the red zone – just don’t give up big plays.
Mike Turner won’t fumble at the 1 yard line (like the “Beast” did).
Falcons D line is much better than advertised (and the Hawks will miss Clemons).
Hawks O-line is superior to Falcons.
Seattle’s “physical” corners get beat deep and you don’t hear much about their undersized safeties. Falcons Dunta Robinson hits harder than any seabird DBs.
Both teams will want to run the ball, but Seattle HAS TO in order to win.
Russell Wilson is the X factor.
The second consecutive trip across country is ALWAYS much harder on a team than the first. 6 to 7 hours in transit 3 times in a week.
Determined and focused Falcons should roll on Sunday. RISE UP!
Big John
January 7th, 2013
9:13 am
The key is our offensive line. If they hold the fort and keep Ryan clean with no more than one sack and maybe 4 or 5 hurry ups, we should win. I believe our D is good enough to hold the Seahawks to a couple of touchdowns at best…IF they play like we saw against New Orleans and the Giants. The 12th man will help make a difference so all of you who will be at the game (wish I could!) need to be loud whenever Wilson is on the field and I mean LOUD! The Dome needs to be ROCKING!!!!!
Mike Franklin
January 7th, 2013
9:25 am
Seattle is a paper tiger.
The Falcons are gonna lunch on their visitors this Sunday.
D'OH!
January 7th, 2013
9:29 am
FalCant’s will lose by 17…… Hey, it’s the playoffs, it’s a no brainer!
?
January 7th, 2013
9:31 am
I CAN SEE THE FALCONS AS FRESH MEATFOR THE SEAHAWKS. IF TURNER TOUCHES THE BALL WE WILL LOSE YARDAGE.
?
January 7th, 2013
9:31 am
I CAN SEE THE FALCONS AS FRESH MEATFOR THE SEAHAWKS. IF TURNER TOUCHES THE BALL WE WILL LOSE YARDAGE.
Mike is Back
January 7th, 2013
9:31 am
Dled, tough game…against a tough opponent…But I THINK THE BIRDS prevail.
This ain’t a statement game…this is a game THE BIRDS gotta win to advance to the next round of the playoff. Let the media talk all the crap they want…JUST WIN BABY!!
RISE UP BIRDS…LET’S GO…LET’S GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
okeetee
January 7th, 2013
9:45 am
“the Seahawks are 11-1 since week 8, and their only loss came after not taking a patsy seriously after a bye week. Just sayin.”
….you lost to the Dolphins, a pathetic team with a rookie or second year quarterback, with no receivers or much of a defense, AFTER a BYE week??? You had two weeks to PREPARE! And you lost to the Dolphins??? That simply amazes me! We played the Eagles on the road AFTER our bye week and after their bye week…….and we DESTROYED them! So give us two weeks to rest and prepare we expect similar results this week! You guys really lost to the Dolphins AFTER a bye week??? That’s absolutely PATHETIC!!!
Enkinan
January 7th, 2013
9:49 am
The Hawks are a legit contender, but I didn’t really see anything terrifying last night. The Falcons can most definitely beat this team.
I foresee a monster game from Tony G to get his first playoff win with the defense causing a pair of turnovers.
IT’S RISE UP TIME ATLANTA!
Esquire
January 7th, 2013
10:32 am
White-hot Seahawks?? I think the white we will see will be those flags of surrender as the MIGHTY MIGHTY FALCONS rip ‘em up with those razor sharp talons……!!
5-6-7-8
Everywhere we goooO,
Everywhere we goooO,
People wanna knooOw,
People wanna knooOw,
Who we aaa are,
Who we aaa are,
So we tell theem, So we tell theem,
We are the FALCONS!! We are the FALCONS!!
MIGHTY MIGHTY FALCONS, MIGHTY MIGHTY FALCONS !!
OHH AHH OHH YEEAHH
Atlanta Falcons: Falcons to face white-hot Seahawks at 1 p.m. Sunday at Georgia Dome | NFL Online News
January 7th, 2013
10:32 am
[...] Atlanta Falcons This entry was posted in Atlanta Falcons and tagged Atlanta, Dome, face, Falcons, Georgia, p.m., Seahawks, Sunday, whitehot. Bookmark the permalink. ← Which Baltimore Ravens team will show up Saturday? [...]
Esquire
January 7th, 2013
10:38 am
Seattle Offense
PTS 25.8 (9th) YDS 350.6 (17th) PASS YDS 189.4 (27th) RUSH YDS 161.2 (3rd)
Seattle Defense
PTS 15.3 (1st) YDS 306.2 (4th) PASS YDS 203.1 (6th) RUSH YDS 103.1 (10th)
17th in Total Yards during the regular season…………Wow, that is so scary.
Roger
January 7th, 2013
10:39 am
Haters: The Falcons will choke, they are 0-3 in the playoffs
Logic: If the past is so important didint Atlanta beat Seattle the past two seasons including last year in your home?
Hater: yea but Seattle is a different team then the past, they now have Russel Wilson
Logic: thought the past was indicative of what will happen now?
Hater: Seahawks are a different team now, the Falcons are the same old Falcons!
Logic: Well didint the Falcons change Offensive coordinators and add Mike Nolan as the new Defense Coordinator?
Haters: the falcons have lost their past three plaoff games
Logic: your call cannot be completed as dialed, please hang up and try again!
BK
January 7th, 2013
10:42 am
READY OR NOT HERE WE COME !! ATL RISE UP , THIS IS OUR YEAR DONT LET KNOW ONE TAKE THIS AWAY…. LETS GO DIRTY BIRDS…
Cletus
January 7th, 2013
10:48 am
The key will be the Seahawks corners against White and Jones. A lot of talent on both sides. Browner gets away with a lot of physical play. He roughs up receivers and if the refs don’t call him on it expect tough sledding for whoever he’s defending. Sherman is just a superb talent. If Ryan goes his way watch out. They also have two of the best, most physical, safeties in the game. That said, Atlanta’s receivers are outstanding. This will be very interesting.