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.”
LATEST NEWS
Dirk Koetter to stay with the Falcons
Smith to ramp up bye-week practices
Smith expects Abraham, Robinson to be ready for playoff game
Falcons’ run defense to be tested in divisional playoff game
Falcons to open playoffs at 1 p.m., Sunday Jan. 13th
OTHER RECENT STORIES
Finishing regular season ‘the right way’
Ryan, Gonzalez, Jones voted to Pro Bowl
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277 comments Add your comment
Draggin' Fly
January 6th, 2013
7:40 pm
Seahawks beat a one-legged quarterback. Let’s see what they can do against a two-legged one.
Archibald Leach
January 6th, 2013
7:41 pm
Matt Ryan chokes again. Falcons go down
Draggin' Fly
January 6th, 2013
7:41 pm
And the games at 12, not 1.
Michael M.
January 6th, 2013
7:46 pm
How true Draggin’ Fly…………………………..Rise up Falcons!
phil
January 6th, 2013
7:47 pm
Worst nightmare….
A red hot team. Again.
It was fun while it lasted. Sunday won’t be pretty, most likely. We might not score 10.
UGA ECONOMICS MAJOR
January 6th, 2013
7:47 pm
GEORGIA DOME…GET LOUD VERRRRRY LOUD LIKE A PLANE LANDING AT HARTSFIELD!!!!!!!!!THIS IS FALCON TIME!!!!!!!
phil
January 6th, 2013
7:48 pm
Matt Ryan can’t block the relentless pressure he’s about to get….
We are cursed in this state.
Michael M.
January 6th, 2013
7:49 pm
lmao at the Fox bunch……………they already bragging about the Seabuzzards, they will have the Falcons as the underdogs playing at home before the night is over…………………….
MarkATL
January 6th, 2013
7:49 pm
Let go Falcons!! Beat Seattle!!!
sflanagan21
January 6th, 2013
7:51 pm
Stop Lynch and contain RW! All of our guys on both sides are back and healthy, we will be in fight till the very end but we got the Hawks…
sflanagan21
January 6th, 2013
7:53 pm
Phil, pull for another team my man!!!
Wow.
January 6th, 2013
7:54 pm
The talking heads on NFL gameday are already at it. It didn’t take them long to start talking about how the Falcons a Smith are under pressure with a hot Seattle team coming to town.
MarkATL
January 6th, 2013
7:55 pm
So the National Media is already trying to pick Seattle as the favorites? Really? That’s alright. Come on haters!! Keep the hate coming. Let’s fuel the fire boys. Go Falcons!!
Wow.
January 6th, 2013
7:56 pm
Falcons have to be ready and have to commit to stopping Lynch. Seattle’s running game is as essential to their offense as opposing teams turnovers are essential to their defense.
TechNut
January 6th, 2013
7:56 pm
yeah really, RG
3 was limping since the first quarter…neither of those two teams scares me; our D is good enough to force TO’s and hold them in the red zone while MR2 will get pass happy and run draws to keep them honest.
RB
January 6th, 2013
7:56 pm
IF (and that’s a bigggg IF), the Falcons beat the Seahawks, they will beat everyone else. GET IT DONE DIRTY BIRDS!!!!!!!
Kim Zolicak
January 6th, 2013
7:57 pm
boy, you just go from blog to blog, dont you !?!?
MarkATL
January 6th, 2013
7:58 pm
Focus on Lynch and have a spy on Wilson. That should cover most of the Seattle offense. We’ll be ready.
Jamaaliver
January 6th, 2013
8:02 pm
Notice that none of the teams they beat up on and healthy, elite, experienced quarterbacks at the helm.
The Falcons do.
We win this game convincingly. And Nolan will have some serious surprises for the rookie QB.
sflanagan21
January 6th, 2013
8:03 pm
No way do these chumps come into OUR HOUSE and beat us!
Mike In Minnesota
January 6th, 2013
8:05 pm
We need to keep their offense off the filed and let our running game
eat up the clock…worrisome isn’t it ?
Eric C.
January 6th, 2013
8:06 pm
Line opens with Atlanta -1…watch that shift the other way this week because no one believes Atlanta can finally get over the hump. If Atlanta survives a physical beating from Seattle, then they get the honor of facing another tough defense (SF) or Greenbay. If the Falcons reach the SB…will be taking the toughest path imaginable…whew. Go Falcons!!!
Eric C.
January 6th, 2013
8:07 pm
Btw, has a line ever been so low for a #1 seed in the divisional round?
Eric C.
January 6th, 2013
8:08 pm
Jamaaliver, that is what I’m hoping
Wow.
January 6th, 2013
8:08 pm
Yeah, what running game is going to keep their offense off the field?
MarkATL
January 6th, 2013
8:09 pm
No way Seattle can match our offense. Too many weapons for Atlanta. I hope we embarrass the Seahawks next week.
SeenThisBFalcon
January 6th, 2013
8:09 pm
FALCONS will be at full strength for this one will be tough but one or twol turnovers will win this Falcons 26-17.
Michael M.
January 6th, 2013
8:10 pm
Think they fear the Falcons?…………….
Doctor Weatherspoon
January 6th, 2013
8:10 pm
SeaHawks will leave Atlanta SeaSick
OHLORD
January 6th, 2013
8:10 pm
Falcons get their butts kicked! We always get the hot team.
Eastpoint
January 6th, 2013
8:10 pm
All Eyes will be on falcons…can they handle pressure and rise up from the dead, which Falcon team will show up is the mystery..A falcon team beating giants and lions or Falcon team losing badly to lowly panthers and bucs, we shall find out Sunday.
Elvis is Alive
January 6th, 2013
8:11 pm
The Sea-Chicks QB drops back 10-15 yards and it appears he wears down the
defense by running away from them.
Mobile QB, Good running back and good defense for the Sea-Chicks.
The R-Skins defense gave up on covering the receivers.
Be aware of his non-stop scrambling.
Rotate the defensive line and cut the angle. Keep our defense fresh.
Does he run more right or left?
Appeared to run right!
Relax fellas and play your game..you know how to win!
But don’t take your foot off the gas!!!
It’s Now or Next year..
Ditka believes you can win!
And I think you can win..
Rise Up..angry Birds..Rise Up..
UGA ECONOMICS MAJOR
January 6th, 2013
8:11 pm
MATT RYAN ,RODDY WHITE, ABRAHAM,WITHERSPOON…AND MR CLASSY HARD WORKING TONY GONZALEZ(THE MAN)= EXPERIENCE…ATLANTA 27 SEATTLE 10…GEORGIA DOME GET CRAZY !!!REALLY CRAZY AND LOUD
OHLORD
January 6th, 2013
8:11 pm
@MARKATL…You better hope we win by 1 point! Seattle is a very good football team my friend!
NumberOneDirtyBird
January 6th, 2013
8:11 pm
Who is afraid of these Sea Hawks (Chickens)? We put up 30 last year on this same defense in Seattle! We will score on this defense! Stop being afraid because Dirk Koetter is not Mike scared Malarachy…so we will take shots down the field and not bang our head trying to run the ball with Cheesburger Turner!
willie
January 6th, 2013
8:12 pm
They are good and we are good. We are at home. Win the game, boys. It’s that simple.
Big Al
January 6th, 2013
8:12 pm
Man, I can’t stand little Petey. Will be pulling for the Falcons. After next Sunday, it is Green Bay all the way.
William
January 6th, 2013
8:13 pm
‘Hawks in a rout …
can’t see any way that the Falcons can hang ..
Eddie from acworth
January 6th, 2013
8:13 pm
Kickoff is at 1pm, the Fox coverage starts at noon @dragonfly
Its our time. Let everyone in media and around the nfl pick the sexy, hot seattle team. Exactly what we need.
Turner goes nuts-150 yds and 2 tds cuz everyone thinks hes done-including Seattle.
Birds get it done 35-21
hey now.....
January 6th, 2013
8:14 pm
phil, why do you bother? Falcons will win!
Jerry Schwindler
January 6th, 2013
8:16 pm
You guys did not play anyone good this year…Go Hawks
sam
January 6th, 2013
8:16 pm
It’s the playoffs for Pete’s sake! The cupcakes have hung up their jock straps and it’s time to RISE UP. I say bring ‘em on and Pluck the SeaHawks.
Samuel
January 6th, 2013
8:16 pm
I see some holes in that Seahawks defense, but the Falcons can ill afford to make mistakes. Turner has to be effective in this game. Also it will be interesting to see how they stop all the weapons on this offense. Harry Douglas will be crucial come Sunday. I saw The Redskins dominate that offensive line in the first half. But couldn’t sustain it over four quarters. They beat a quarteback who was banged up badly after the first quarter. He simply coudn’t make those throws on one leg. Now will see Mike Nolan and Koetter earn their keep. I want to see if Nolan can confuse this kid Wilson. And keep him off balance. Who’s afraid of the Virginia wolf? I don’t think the Falcons are.
Michael M.
January 6th, 2013
8:16 pm
Beat the Seabuzzards and move on to take on the Packers……………….don’t think Niners will beat GB but the Packers are not as good as they were 2 years ago either and Atlanta owes them a big payback anyway……………………………………..
DieHardFalconsFan!!!!
January 6th, 2013
8:19 pm
Ryan will have 4 TD’s sunday and our defense will confuse wilson like crazy! We just have to get turn overs and turn them in to points. We got this! GO FALCONS!!!! RISE UP!!!!
DirtyBirdinCali
January 6th, 2013
8:19 pm
The only way is game is at 12noon is if you live in Central Time Zone. The 1pm start is good advantage for the Falcons against a West Coast team. That’s like a 10am game for the Seahawks. Falcons have them right where they need them, at the Birdz Nest (GA Dome) at the usual time the Falcons are used to winning like they did the past 11 times before the Tampa Bay game.
Dilla
January 6th, 2013
8:20 pm
Seattle didn’t impress me by beating a limping RGIII, they had to blitz to get pressure just like everybody else. They have good DBs, but we’ll see how they handle backs catching the balls out the back field and a TE that catches everything. If we spy Russell Wilson and keep him contained I’m not that worried about Lynch, he can get +100 yards they’ll still lose if Wilson is contained.
Jerry Schwindler
January 6th, 2013
8:20 pm
you have not played anybody good all year
Ghost of Norn van Brocklin
January 6th, 2013
8:21 pm
The Falcons will eat the Seahawks with their blitz d-fence and wide receivers attacks. Ryan will pass for at least 3 TD’s and the rookie will be welcomed to the NFL playoff. These birds have something to prove coming off a lost. Go Birds.
Falcon Fan
January 6th, 2013
8:23 pm
Hey Jerry…and who did the Seahawks play again in the weakest division in the NFC? LOL you are the one to talk. Falcons have beaten the Broncos, Washington, SHUT OUT the Giants.
Crickets from you my friend.
playmeortrademe
January 6th, 2013
8:24 pm
Also think the betting line will shift to favor Seattle. No one believes in the Falcons. A butt whooping of the Seahawks next Sunday is the only thing changing that.
DieHardFalconsFan!!!!
January 6th, 2013
8:25 pm
Im feeling good about this game come sunday! GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!
Braves #17 Fan
January 6th, 2013
8:26 pm
Stupid headline.
West Seattle James
January 6th, 2013
8:26 pm
I used to live on Peachtree and Pharr Rd, now standing behind the 12th Man in rainy Seattle. Cant wait to fly down for the game: whoever gets a two score lead I reckon will win next week. GO SEA HAWKS
Michael M.
January 6th, 2013
8:26 pm
Demolished the Giants……………….and the Seabuzzards think they will come into the Georgia Dome for a cakewalk?…………………absolutely hilarious……………………
FALCONS ARE FOR REAL
January 6th, 2013
8:28 pm
@Schwindler-Low Life- Falcons won against the teams Seattle lost to. Wait till they are overwhelmed by the DOME and the HUNGRY!!! FALCONS. We’ll destroy them and they’re rookie qb
Ledbetter blocked me
January 6th, 2013
8:28 pm
It was a limping RG3 that runs faster than Ryan even when he’s hurt. Ryan will be a sitting duck. Expect lots of hits Matty.
What do Chris Ivory and Marshawn Lynch have in common? They both are the type of backs Assante Samuels won’t wanna tackle. Seahawks prevail; Smitty makes boneheaded decision ….same ole Falcons.
TechNut
January 6th, 2013
8:29 pm
Yep, Koetter and Nolan will confuse the seadogs.
The Falconator
January 6th, 2013
8:29 pm
The three losses this year came in games in which The Falcons looked totally flat. Discount the third loss because they really were not playing for anything. In the wins, they either charged out offensively or the defense held. As always, the question is: Which Falcons team will show up next Sunday against Seattle? Hope the run game shows up. Playing in the Georgia Dome should be the biggest difference-maker. Would like to see more of Julio and Roddy on slants across the middle and running away from defenders for long gains.
Ghost of Norn van Brocklin
January 6th, 2013
8:30 pm
Jerry Schwindler, I agree with Falcon Fan, who did the Seahawks play? Nobody also. The Falcons beat the Broncos, Redskins and 2012 NFL champs Giants. Seahawks will choke under the pressure of defending White, Jones and Tony G.
UGA ECONOMICS MAJOR
January 6th, 2013
8:31 pm
FALCONS EXPERIENCE FROM PAST YEARS WILL BE THE FACTOR…RYAN,WHITE,GONZALEZ,TURNER S PLAYOFF EXPERIENCE WILL SHOW UP SUNDAY..WITH A VERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRY LOUD GEORGIA DOME…..ATLANTA 28 SEATTLE 17
trollhawks
January 6th, 2013
8:31 pm
@Falcon Fan…really. The weakest division? WTF are you smoking? 49er’s are 12-3-1, Hawks 12-5, Rams are 7-8-1 and Cards 5-11. Seahawks are 5-1 against this years playoff teams. We’ve beaten the Packers, Patriots, Skins, Cowboys, 49ers, Minnesota and were 8-0 at home. The NFL’s best defenses come out of the NFC Best. Seahawks led the league in giving up 15 pts per game.
The Falcons won’t score more than 17 points against the Hawks and Roddy or Julio will get rattled by our corner and safety play. I could go on all night long, but your fandom is blinding you to facts.
NumberOneDirtyBird
January 6th, 2013
8:31 pm
Ryan led offense has put up 30 points every time he faced this defense! I will be taking all bets against my Falcons this week! I will have a nice payday!
DieHardFalconsFan!!!!
January 6th, 2013
8:31 pm
Matt Ryan is gonna torch the seasquaks defense!
Voice of Reason
January 6th, 2013
8:32 pm
Mr. Swindler – really??? I thought the New York Giants looked better than the team that just beat a one-legged RGIII tonight. Dallas too. I am not scared. The last guy to come into the Dome and beat us was aaron Rogers — who I think is 10 times the QB that Russel Wilson is right now …
Final Score
January 6th, 2013
8:34 pm
Seattle 50
Falcants 3
Oh yeah………Flacco 6 Matty Ice 0
Lori
January 6th, 2013
8:34 pm
RGIII went four quarters. The Redskins chose to go all the way with him. And they LOST.
The Seahawks and specifically Russell Wilson outplayed, and endured. And came to D.C. to win. Dismiss the Seahawks – their offense and their defense together – at your arrogance and peril. Seahawks are the REAL DEAL. Treat this team with the respect they deserve. They will not be ignored.
MarkATL
January 6th, 2013
8:35 pm
This game will be a statement game for Atlanta! Hope the Falcons put up 28 points by halftime! We need to beat the crap out of Seattle to get respect from the national media.
Kim Zolicak
January 6th, 2013
8:37 pm
Final Score
January 6th, 2013
8:34 pm
Seattle 50
Falcants 3
Oh yeah………Flacco 6 Matty Ice 0
poor choke, banned !!
okeetee!
January 6th, 2013
8:37 pm
“And the games at 12, not 1″
….maybe Central time but not Eastern! And the opening line I saw was Falcons by 3 points. We are going to need to score about 30 points. We need two turnovers. We don’t need any stupid, foolish penalties, like off sides, clipping on kickoffs or punt returns, and ESPECIALLY, excessive celebration penalties or 12 men on the field!!!
Ledbetter blocked me
January 6th, 2013
8:37 pm
Forget about the National media….win something and stop being a big game disappointment and the band wagon will fill up quickly.
robertussen
January 6th, 2013
8:38 pm
all that travel can’t be good for them. jetlag and home field advantage helps us win a close one
wisconsinfalcons fan
January 6th, 2013
8:38 pm
did anyone see the highlights of all the teams that are in the play off last night on nfl network, they showed each team making good plays for their team but when they showed the falcons highlights they showed Matt Ryan getting sack, talk about no respect, I know we will kick butt now, I don’t care if it is the sea flies, stay focus JUST WIN BABY
Philip
January 6th, 2013
8:38 pm
CRAP! I never fails. The Seahawks are going to stuff worthless Turner and the Line can’t holed up to the Seahawks line Ryan will get hammered. One and Done here we go like I said. I am going to NO for the Superbowl prove me wrong Atlanta..
MarkATL
January 6th, 2013
8:38 pm
Lori: So are you saying that Atlanta is not the “REAL DEAL”? Seems like Atlanta is the team not getting respected. We respect Seattle, but we sure as hell won’t let them beat us in our own dome!!
Khalif
January 6th, 2013
8:39 pm
Funny how much skinnier Turner looks in the picture above. If he could lay off the food Falcons wouldn’t have to be so one-dimensional.
Josh
January 6th, 2013
8:39 pm
The Falcons are about to get Hawked!
0-4 is your destiny
January 6th, 2013
8:40 pm
Sounds like a lot of nervous fans.
DirtyBirdinCali
January 6th, 2013
8:41 pm
Next week this time, we’ll be able to start taking about plans for traveling to New Orleans!
MarkATL
January 6th, 2013
8:44 pm
That’s right you haters. Bring it on. We will get the last laugh next Sunday.
TomDawg
January 6th, 2013
8:44 pm
I think pre-game coverage starts @ 12 pm and then the game @ 1pm.
stendek
January 6th, 2013
8:44 pm
Greetings Mr OL. From the remarks by that idiot announcer the Falcons might as well mail in the game on Sunday. From his perspective the Seahawks are unbeatable with a Super Bowl ticket already stamped. Hope the damn Falcons were listening! Of course, if the morons perform like they did in the regular season home finale it will be yet another one then done! The best case scenario would be a Falcon victory coupled with a 49er advance. I do not believe the Falcons can whip Aaron Rodgers in Georgia, Wisconsin or Florida! I am still not completely sold on Matthew Ryan. Especially after the Tampa Bay fiasco! RG III will be a one season wonder. I do not see his recovery! Oh well. If Falcons lose to Seahawks at home they might as well let Mark Richt coach em. That bum cannot win the big one either!
Starship 1
January 6th, 2013
8:44 pm
I think the Redskins vs Seahawks would become a different outcome had RGIII had been at 100%. Falcons win this Sunday. Why? Because I’m watching the game up close-on my flat screen-that’s why. Oh-and I will cuss the @$*@ tv!!!
Josh
January 6th, 2013
8:45 pm
Nobody, and I mean nobody is playing as good as Seattle right now. You’ll all see this coming Sunday. Jet lag? Yeah, it sure was a factor in their come from behind win with 24 unanswered points. RG who? Falcon’s are history this season.
Eric C.
January 6th, 2013
8:45 pm
trollhawks, I admit the Seahawks are very tough and it will take a great game from the Falcons to beat them. However, they haven’t faced a group of receivers like Julio Jones, Roddy White, Harry Douglas, and Tony Gonzalez lately. Yeah, Seattle has big physical corners, but Julio and Roddy are as tough as they come.
backatcha
January 6th, 2013
8:46 pm
We knew that Seattle was coming & what they bring to the table! Wait til they see what we’re bringing!!! Go Falcons!
Maalox Customer Service
January 6th, 2013
8:47 pm
Mr. Ryan can we take your annual order?
okeetee!
January 6th, 2013
8:47 pm
Hey Troll Hawk! Last two times we played you in your house, we put up 30 points and won both games! We ain’t the same team that’s been beaten in the playoffs the last two years and neither are you. We like our chances at home. We get any kind of protection for Ryan which we’ve pretty much gotten all year, and we should score 30 again. We could use a couple of turnovers and no stupid penalties……and hope your rookie quarterback plays like a rookie this game!
Get Back Jojo
January 6th, 2013
8:47 pm
Lets go Dirty Birds!! A Falcon will rip a Seahawk out of the sky…
They put their pants the same as you do. They are also used to the “12th man noise”, but their coming to ATLANTA!! RISE UP!!
GO FALCONS!!!
UGA ECONOMICS MAJOR
January 6th, 2013
8:47 pm
COME ON FALCONS BEAT SEACHICKENS…THE JOY OF MY LIFE???WINNING THE SUPERBOWL ON THE NEW ORLEAN AINTS HOME FLOOR …HEY NEW ORLEAN AINTS THEIR IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME LIKE YOU ARE..
Talk About Pressure-
January 6th, 2013
8:48 pm
The Falcons MUST win. Everyone’s talking about how no one wants to play the Seahawks… well if I were the Seahawks I would not want to play a team as desperate as the Falcons,who i might add is pretty talented and at home.
That said- can u imagine the devastation the city and team would encounter if we lose to a rookie QB… Mike Smith would not get another starting HC job no time soon. He will be the coach that can’t win with a talented team in the playoffs on or at home, not to mention, be a dead walking at Flowery Branch. Matt will stock would plummet.
stendek
January 6th, 2013
8:48 pm
Lori. Will let ya know late Sunday afternoon. You are correct though. Respect has to be earned. Falcons have achieved nothing yet! DO NOT GIVE TURNER THE BALL!
TC
January 6th, 2013
8:49 pm
The Falcons will lose. Ryan and team will through the game, like they did last three times. You sports fans need to wake up, it is all about money not the game.
MarkATL
January 6th, 2013
8:51 pm
Do you Seahawk fans really think that Seattle’s D can stop all of Atlanta’s weapons on offense? Really? Who do you double team? Roddy? Jones? Gonzales? HD? Seattle will not be able to contain these guys all game long. This will not be a close game.
Raiderbeater
January 6th, 2013
8:52 pm
Will Seahawks fans stop saying you beat Green Bay. You didn’t.
It’s like a kid saying they can beat up anyone…..people look at them and call them stupid.
stendek
January 6th, 2013
8:54 pm
Hey Startship. RG III did NOTHING after first couple of drives! Factor? No way in Hell! Overrated like a certain canine killer! Media darling totally overhyped. It was his giveaway which iced victory for Seahawks. Love it cause I hate DeAngelo Hall! Another overrated pile of crap.
Mr_Buckhead
January 6th, 2013
8:55 pm
Yeah baby !!!
Bring it on !!!
The co-founder of Microsoft VS the co-founder of Home Depot !!!
Yeah Baby !!! Bring it On !!!
okeetee!
January 6th, 2013
8:56 pm
SeaHawks just broke an 8 game road losing streak…..and we plan on breaking our 3 game playoff losing streak during the Smith/Ryan era! Bookies have us winning by 3 points. I’ll take that! It will come down to who makes the most mistakes, and that means turnovers and penalties!
Mike In Minnesota
January 6th, 2013
8:56 pm
Hopefully the Falcons have been working on their “screen play” game…
which has to be our new running game…that way we can keep our
defense fresh and their defenders guessing…running back is priority
one for next year no matter what happens next week.
backatcha
January 6th, 2013
8:57 pm
Mr. E, you’re absolutely right! However, Julio, Harry, Tony, Roddy, will have to make the tough catches, beat the press, & get play smarter than a extremely smart, nasty, mean, physical, well disciplined & well coached football team! Jason, Jacquiz, & MIkey will have to keep the chains moving b/c if not we’re in for a long evening! We have experience over these guys & this will probably be the toughest team we’ve faced all season! I’m glad the team was not dismantled at the end of last season like alot of us wanted! Kudos to upper management for staying consistent in the face of failure & adversity! The Falcons know what they’re up against! The only way is (4) quarters of hard-nose, “I’m gonna hate myself in the morning” football!!! I’m sure everybody in the state of Georgia is holding their breath b/c we don’t catch a break in the playoffs & we desperately need this win! Unfortunately, if we make it (I bellieve we will) it does not get any easier in the Championship round! Please, enjoy some R&R while you got the chance!!! Go Falcons!!!
NFL Playoffs: Seahawks beat Redskins 24-14 – CBS News
January 6th, 2013
8:57 pm
[...] Hurt, Seattle Tops Redskins 24-14 in PlayoffsABC NewsThe Associated Press -Politico -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)all 2,833 news articles » VN:F [1.9.8_1114]please wait…Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes [...]
Voice of Reason
January 6th, 2013
8:58 pm
The last 3 QBs the Falcons have lost to in the post season may all be in the Hall of Fame some day: Kurt Warner (first ballot, in my opinion); Aaron Rogers (one of the best ever, maybe); Eli Manning (HOF creds with 2 SB rings). Russel Wilson ain’t that.
stendek
January 6th, 2013
8:59 pm
Sunday will be right time to resurrect the Grits Blitz! Young Seahawk QB will be too shaky to think! Or play soft zone with no pressure. Who wants to play after Sunday anyway?
Georgia
January 6th, 2013
9:00 pm
The Seahawks are fearsome. They play sixty minutes. I don’t want to get hurt watching this playoff game. I don’t want my guts splattered all over the floor like the last time I cared enough to get hurt. I wish I could hold back, but there’s just no way. I’m in all the way. If they lose, I get my heart broken in a thousand pieces. I remember the 1980/81 season against Dallas, when we lost the NFC divisional in the last moment, (30-27) on a White to Pearson wounded duck that just hung up there and hung up there…….OMG the horror…..and it took me two weeks to be able to get to sleep, and then only if I drank wine. I’ve really never recovered. It was just not fair and just no good. I barely survived that one. Think I’m kidding? No, being a football savant and a number one fan has its downside. I guess it is possible to care about football too much. It’s cause of my high school coach. he never gave me a chance. I coulda been first string, but everytime I did something great he was watching the cheerleaders or little birdies in the trees, or the clouds. He had his head so far up his own behind……..aw, I don’t wanna talk about it. And the assistant coaches were even bigger idiots.
Go Falcons!
Maalox Customer Service
January 6th, 2013
9:01 pm
Eric C.
Have you seen how those huge dbs mug receivers?
stendek
January 6th, 2013
9:03 pm
If the Falcons do lose this weekend I expect lots of changes! LOTS. It will be one status quo no Bird watcher wants.
drew
January 6th, 2013
9:06 pm
Teams better than the Falcons: Packers, Patriots, Seahawks, 49ers…..think that about sums it up…
Eric C.
January 6th, 2013
9:06 pm
Roddy is a wrestling champ and Julio is as big and fast as they come…we’ll see who gets mugged
NtheNo
January 6th, 2013
9:07 pm
Falcons do not have a “play-off” gear. One & done.
Greg Camp
January 6th, 2013
9:07 pm
Go Falcons! You have the ball in your court! A week off and homefield advantage. Send them back to Cosco-land!
Eric C.
January 6th, 2013
9:08 pm
The same 49ers that got blown out by NYG and lost to Seattle by 4 TDs? They are better than the Falcons?
stendek
January 6th, 2013
9:10 pm
NFC teams I fear: Packers Of AR. AFC teams I fear: Broncos of PM. That pretty much sums it up!
Josh
January 6th, 2013
9:11 pm
I’ll be in Atlanta to watch the Falcon’s get Hawked. Blah, blah, blah……. Talk is cheap. Redskins fans said almost the exact same crap and you see where it got them. LMFAO
stendek
January 6th, 2013
9:14 pm
If Matthew Ryan is going to be remembered as a QB worth a damn it must begin Sunday. The honeymoon period ended long ago! Four long seasons ago for me.
Bleed Red
January 6th, 2013
9:14 pm
So after the beat down on the SEA TRASH mite get a that a BOY GO FALCONS
MATT RYAN
January 6th, 2013
9:17 pm
I am playing to go to the Pro Bowl. Congrats to the Seahawks Superbowl Champs!!!
trollhawks
January 6th, 2013
9:18 pm
To the folks that mentioned your receivers….lol
Our Safeties and Corners are arguably the best in the NFL. They can go 1on1 against anyone. The only problem the Hawks need to actively address is there soft middle zone coverages. If they tighten that coverage up a bit, I don’t see anyone scoring more than 10/game against them. We also may have lost our sack leader in today’s game.
Daniel Snyder’s cheap ass cost him Bobby Three Sticks career today (possibly) and Clemons for us. That field was an absolutely disgrace today.
WILCO
January 6th, 2013
9:19 pm
ATL will beat seattle easily—book it! they don’t match up with the ATL D!! ATL 30 seattle 13—ATL beats SF and will go to the super bowl!!! Rise up!!!
Sparks
January 6th, 2013
9:23 pm
So just getting to the playoffs is no big deal huh? Like being MLB division champs for 14 straight years was no big deal either…spoiled, uninformed fans, just damn.
HPDawg
January 6th, 2013
9:24 pm
Stendek, shut your stupid face…….. GO FALCONS!
Priceless
January 6th, 2013
9:24 pm
0-4 with Smitty and the Meltster-BOOK THAT !
Falcon Fan
January 6th, 2013
9:26 pm
Bruce Irvin (#51) left DE is a great story of someone turning their life around. From Atlanta with a troubled past. Played at West Virginia University, controversial first round pick and led the NFL Rookies in QB sacks this year. Recently donated $100,000 to WVU for their weight room. We better block him!
Whadda Ya Know?
January 6th, 2013
9:27 pm
Here come all the trolls and negative Nancys. Seahawks are a young up and coming team, but they are not the teams we lost to in the past that had Kurt Warner, Aaron Rogers and Eli Manning. These corners are NOT shutdown by any stretch of the imagination. The QB can be gotten after and confused with schemes he’s never seen before. We will beat the Seachickens next Sunday regardless of all the media hype and the haters that come on this board only wishing their teams were in this position.
mark
January 6th, 2013
9:27 pm
hawks win you guys can not ontrol our defense no we wont impressive today and ye still won
you defense is consdered soft so we will see
and we have two dominate teams in our devision you next best team was the panthers lol GO HAWKS
G-dub
January 6th, 2013
9:38 pm
Seattle defense is too physical. Corners will manhandle receivers. Tony G may have to have a career day because White and Jones will be manhandled. That kid Browner is a beast.
Matty Bicep
January 6th, 2013
9:38 pm
Jerry, we put the worst beating on a defending SB champion EVER, AND we beat the AJC#1 seed, AND beat a healthy RG3. All you can do is beat the teams they put in front of you.
Ray Edwards
January 6th, 2013
9:38 pm
I’m spilling all the secrets.
Philip
January 6th, 2013
9:47 pm
I wonder if Thomas Decoud can do another show ad singing the Party is over Atlanta. 0-4
Joe Flacco
January 6th, 2013
9:49 pm
I just became the 1st qb in NFL to win a playoff game for 1st 5 seasons. Whats up Matty?
chickenwizard
January 6th, 2013
9:50 pm
Once SEA got their offense going, no one has been able to stop them. They were down 14-0, and then only went and uncharacteristic 1 of 6 in the red zone. This was just a few plays away from another Seahawk blowout. Atlanta has one of the worst running Ds in the league having to focus on stopping Lynch, which gives Wilson’s options to run or pass. SEA will outscore anyone at this point.
houstondawgfan
January 6th, 2013
9:54 pm
Have a weird feeling, the Falcons come out and lay another egg but lose by a missed fg. And we are stuck to watching the Media do the Seattle vs San Fran rematch and Seattle comes up short there. Don’t know but, I hope this doesn’t happen, because ATL has enough talent to win it all this year.
Philip
January 6th, 2013
9:59 pm
Smitty opening presser after they lose to the Seahawks. We did not get the outcome we wanted and have ton of things we have to correct.. Duh lol! Please get MJD next year. So we can have a balanced attack on offense.
kenny d
January 6th, 2013
9:59 pm
If Turner is not hitting the hole hard and with authority, we need to get Snelling in early. We need the running game early against this team.
Matty Bicep
January 6th, 2013
10:01 pm
Chicken, we must have watched different games, I saw a team with a bad defense getting blown off the field until a QB with a torn ACL got hit and twisted his knee. Then it took 21/2 more quarters to get within point, until that knee finally buckled and they got a gift on the 3 yard line. It hardly a dominating performance, looked more like the a Disney move about a inept football team with a leprechaun QB.
Marc
January 6th, 2013
10:05 pm
Man I hope we win but am concerned anyway. Beating the Giants was huge.
Dwayne C
January 6th, 2013
10:07 pm
Prediction: Seattle Seahawks 27 – Atlanta Falcons 17, Atlanta’s flaws exposed. The worst part isn’t going to be this defeat but rather what the Falcons front office doesn’t do in the offseason, including the next draft, to address these flaws. I told a friend of mine yesterday I believe this team under head coach Mike Smith has a window of 2-3 more years(after their next playoff game) to make a run to the Super Bowl. They make get to a SB but it won’t be this SB. lol
take it from me.
January 6th, 2013
10:07 pm
Was not impressed with the skins or the hawks,Falcons will win this one,, if Ryan don’t get those happy feet going,and the o line ,and d line do the job they are suppost to do.to much talent on this team to lose to the seabirds at home,but you never know about the Falcons,remember tj yates last year! the Falcons allways make first year QBs look like all world players.
Mora less Petrino
January 6th, 2013
10:07 pm
The NFL has cancelled the game in ATL! The media “experts” and troll bloggers have already given the Seabuzzards the W, so no point in playing the game.
On a more serious note, the oddsmakers, (the dudes who put their money on the line), have ATL favored by 3!
sflanagan21
January 6th, 2013
10:09 pm
I don’t know a single real Falcons fan that knows football that is worried about the freaking Seahawks! 35-14 Falcons
Falco
January 6th, 2013
10:18 pm
31-20
atlanta wins it.
real talk.
January 6th, 2013
10:22 pm
if atlanta can get those early turnovers like they did against denver and new york, they have a really good chance at winning.
Brian from Seattle
January 6th, 2013
10:22 pm
The Falcons are a great team this year and can beat the Seahawks – but only if they are able to bottle up Wilson in the pocket. Marshawn will do what he always does… carry 6 defensive players another 4 – 8 yards after initial contact. But he can’t win the game on his own. Let Wilson get out and scramble and he’ll either pass or run his way to a win. Seahawks defense is likely going to show up and be physical, but they can be pushed around some – like Washington did during Q1. But it won’t happen for the entire game. Going to be interesting – that’s for sure.
If the Falcons crash and burn, at least you’ll still have that Southern fried cooking to help get you through it…
older1
January 6th, 2013
10:24 pm
Falcons need to focus on strength training, sure tackling and endurance running, up until Friday Noon, then rub down with BEN-GAY COME OUT SUNDAY AND KICK butt.
jo
January 6th, 2013
10:27 pm
The seachickens looked suspect today and would have been beaten if not for rg3 going down. If the falcons play serious, they win 27-19.
Kennesaw Falcons
January 6th, 2013
10:30 pm
Falcons will take care of business Sunday. Seahawks are pretty good, falcons are better.
Ripster
January 6th, 2013
10:37 pm
Lookit. Two top teams. My Hawk Fandom does not blind me to how tough the Falcons will be in their home roost. Suffice to say I believe the winner will be the Super Bowl champs
tom
January 6th, 2013
10:38 pm
talk, talk, talk. We will see.
Fan since 66
January 6th, 2013
10:42 pm
Once again I’m amazed at the haters who get their ro@ks off coming on the blogs slamming the Falcons. What make you folks tick? Do you really think your opinion matters to us? I agree with Matty Bicep…the ‘Hawks barely won a game against a team who effectively lost their starting QB in the first quarter. They received a gift fumble on the 3 and still couldn’t put the ‘Skins away till late in the game. I don’t need to predict a huge win for the ‘Birds. I am confident that this team is different than any other Falcon team I’ve ever seen before.We will win on Sunday…plain and simple. I’m just going to sit and enjoy reading the blogs this weekend predicting disaster for Atl. football fans…and wonder what makes these people tick!
Go Falcons!
bigtime meat
January 6th, 2013
10:49 pm
Atlanta Falcons 41 Seattle Seahawks 13 ……. now what!!!!!!
Reggie
January 6th, 2013
10:51 pm
White hot? Really? No excuses, the Seahawks offense isnt nearly as good as the Packers 2 years ago and their defense isnt nearly as good as the Giants last year. The Redskins or Seahawks should get destroyed on Sunday. Enough of the hot team crap…Atlanta has the best record in the NFC so that should make us ultra white hot. The 3 losses came to divisional rivals aka teams that know all our tricks and vice versa, that makes us 10-0 vs the rest of the NFL, stop making excuses.
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.
BK
January 7th, 2013
10:54 am
atl-31 seahawks-20
PapaK
January 7th, 2013
10:55 am
Why not try Lamar Holmes at right guard? I’ll bet he can clear a hole for a running back.
LET-THE-NERDS-H8
January 7th, 2013
11:04 am
the way to smash the Seahawks is easy… stack 8 in the box have 1 or 2 spies on Wilson and force the rookie to beat us thru the air. I agree the Seahawks are a pretty good team but really without a running game i dont fear none of their WR even if we still Had Jason Webster at CB lol. Just limit the mistakes on offense and play aggresive offense (test them deep a couple times) throw a bunch of screens to stop their pass rush and i know we can smash that Seattle sh!t
stephen
January 7th, 2013
11:13 am
Draggin’ Fly – you are an idiot…..There is no NFL game that comes on at 1. Wake the hell up
stepehn
January 7th, 2013
11:14 am
Draggin’ Fly – What are you smoking? What NFL game has ever come on at 12? Wake up
stephen
January 7th, 2013
11:15 am
Draggin’ Fly – you are an idiot…..There is no NFL game that comes on at 12. Wake the hell up
Esquire
January 7th, 2013
11:16 am
Yeah, I’m a closet Packers fan, back to the first Super Bowl when I could still figure out what the Roman Numerals stood for. I went to Lambeau in the opening game of the 2002 season and rooted loudly (they were Dirty Birds then) for the Falcons (an overtime loss) and got into two scuffles, Can’t call them fights cause they weren’t, just a lot of pushing and shoving. But 2 Packers fans were exited from the stadium. I tell you this because I’m a die hard Falcons fan first. But if you were ever a little boy who played football this story should resonate with you, no matter the team affiliation.
WE ARE THE MIGHTY MIGHTY FALCONS!!!
(reprinted without permission)
Aaron Rodgers once thought he might have a locker at Candlestick Park. On the far side of the big locker room, where the 49ers’ quarterbacks dress.
Instead, it has taken almost eight years for him to arrive at the stadium that was featured in his boyhood dreams. On Saturday, in his first visit to Candlestick as a professional, Rodgers’ locker will be in the minuscule, dank visitors’ room, where his offensive linemen barely will have room to turn around.
Rodgers, for all his strange connections to the 49ers, has faced the team he grew up rooting for and had hoped would draft him only at Lambeau Field, in 2009, 2010 and again in September.
“Rodgers will be excited to go back to Cali to play,” Green Bay head coach Mike McCarthy said Sunday. “He’s been through it enough now. I don’t see him overreacting or putting pressure on himself.”
He hasn’t been through it before, though. Rodgers, the best native Northern Californian quarterback in years, hasn’t played at either Candlestick Park or at the Coliseum. He hasn’t had a chance to play in front of family and friends who can make the drive from his hometown of Chico, or in front of the Cal boosters who supported him in college.
He gave a shout-out to the Chico Cheeseheads on Saturday night, urging them to make the I-5-to-505-to-80-to-101 drive. And, he’ll be excited. After all, he was raised on damp January playoff football at Candlestick.
“I dreamt about being the quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers,” Rodgers said in a documentary made the year he won the Super Bowl. “I used to draw little plays on note cards and dream I was Joe Montana throwing passes in the backyard with Dad.”
Of course, as we have rehashed constantly for more than seven years, the 49ers did not draft him. Mike Nolan chose Alex Smith over Rodgers, resulting in one of the longest, most agonizing waits in Draft Day Green Room history.
Rodgers ended up in a better spot. He didn’t have seven offensive coordinators in seven years. He didn’t have to watch his team pursue Peyton Manning months after he won his first playoff game. He didn’t lose his job to backup Graham Harrell. His team committed to him, he won a Super Bowl and an MVP award.
But if you think Rodgers isn’t still motivated by the draft-day snubbing, you’re probably wrong.
When he accepted the Most Valuable Player award in February, he noted that his childhood heroes were Montana, Jerry Rice and Steve Young. He added, “Big Niners fan as a kid – thanks for drafting me.”
And that’s with a Super Bowl ring on his hand.
“On the inside, there was a lot of disappointment, embarrassment, just thinking about how hard you worked,” Rodgers said of his draft-day slide. “But it was honestly the best thing that happened to me. I was 21 years old. I thought I was the best thing since sliced bread, and I needed a little humble pie.”
He got his humble pie – but the opinionated streak, the one that scared the suit pants off Nolan, – is still there. In recent months, Rodgers has been irritated by more than merely those snotty kids in the discount-double-check commercials. He has commented on the firing of Jeff Tedford, his college coach, which he thought was a mistake.
Rodgers also defended his friend Smith, with whom he has been bound through draft history, after Smith was benched.
“Alex and I are buddies,” Rodgers told the NFL Network’s “NFL Total Access.”
“He’s been through a lot. I can’t imagine to have to go through that many offensive coordinators. The turnover in coaches has been tough for him. …
“He’s 70 percent completion. He’s 100-plus quarterback rating last year. He’s like barely over 1 percent interception percentage. He’s a great quarterback. He just needs to go somewhere he gets appreciated for the skills he has and hopefully he gets a chance next year.”
Smith was 20-for-26 for 211 yards and two touchdowns against Green Bay in the 49ers’ 30-22 victory in the opening game of the season. Now, the Packers will face Colin Kaepernick, who grew up dreaming of being the Packers’ or the 49ers’ starting quarterback and idolized Rodgers’ predecessor, Brett Favre.
The 49ers surprised the Packers in September, when Kaepernick came into the game for a 17-yard run at the end of the first half that set up David Akers 63-yard field goal. They won’t surprise the Packers with WildKaep in this game.
It’s the sixth playoff meeting since 1996 between the two teams. Favre’s Packers had some memorable playoff wins over the 49ers, including knocking off the reigning champions at the Stick in January 1996 and ending George Seifert’s 49ers career in January 1997. The only time the 49ers beat the Packers was in January 1999 on Terrell Owens’ last-second touchdown catch in the wild-card game, which sent the 49ers to Atlanta for the divisional round.
These 49ers are different than the ones who beat the Packers in September. And the Packers are a different team, too. They’ve been playing like an angry, motivated team: If they hadn’t been robbed by replacement referees in September at Seattle, they would have been hosting this playoff game.
Rodgers has played well with a chip on his shoulder. This week, the placement of his locker will remind him only of what the 49ers once thought of him.
Doge Carithers
January 7th, 2013
11:24 am
After Sunday the Seahawks will be just like the old movie or song Sleepless in Seattle-no way Lynch and Wilson can win this game-they were fortunate to beat the Skins.
Decatur Falcon
January 7th, 2013
11:42 am
Truth: Russell Wilson is has a nice arm, but he is 5′10. The Defensive End for the Atlanta Falcons has to play a solid game against the Seattle Seahawks. Redskins defensive is not good and Defensive Coordinator for Redskin did as much as he could. Washington Redskin FS missed a interception, the LB was not in the play when Russell Wilson fumble the football on a bad exchange to Marshall Lynch who recovered the football and got 18 yards on the play. It is miss opportunities on defensive and offensive that lose you fooball games ladies and gentlemen. I see a win for the Atlanta Falcons, if we can start fast like the Washington Redskin did with a 14-0 Lead, and play good defense something Redskin did not do then the Atlanta Falcons win. Atlanta Falcon needs to look at that film, study, and have a great week of practice. Russell Wilson is a good quarterback who studies the game, something that a lot of quarterback don’t do. He is a mobile quarterback with a big arm and he blocks for his running back; so he is willing to do everything to win. It is going to be a great game, Matt Ryan has to play with heart and score touchdowns against the Seattle Seahawks to get over the hump and I believe they will if they stay focus and don’t panic when things get hard. GO FALCONS!!!
Backoff!!
January 7th, 2013
12:36 pm
Even if the Redskins won that game yesterday.. the Skins had won 7 in a row.. so they would have been calling them hot as well.. No matter who you get in the playoffs.. only the best teams survive… If Atlanta is truly better then they will win the game! I would rather have the tougher road because we have to prove that we are the better team.. I like that!
Hugh Jardon
January 7th, 2013
12:56 pm
Falcon Fan ~ weakest division in the NFC? How do you figure that with half of the teams in the NFC West still playing. The Falcons schedule was pretty comfy and you really beat no one of caliber except those 3 games. It all depends on how the refs call it though. The Falcons are a soft little finesse team and the Seahawks pure physicality.
Look for the Falcons to extend their recent playoff record to 0-4
Hugh Jardon
January 7th, 2013
1:01 pm
Nerd ~ 8 in the box and 1 or 2 spies on Wilson? Making that 10 yard dump pass across the middle a TD every time with only 1 or 2 defenders to cover 2 or 3 receivers.
As a Seahawk fan I would take that every down.
DC Dirty Bird
January 7th, 2013
1:19 pm
Hugh, I’m not saying that the NFC West is the weakest NFC division, but I would argue that the Cardinals were pretty much everyone’s gimme win. I don’t think any of the other divisions had such a team. Also, don’t expect 8 in the box and a spy on Wilson. We won’t spy him. We will expect our defensive tackles to hold the pocket and let our rush ends/or blitzers get the sacks.
How do you think the Seahawk defense will approach Tony Gonzalez?
warfalcon
January 7th, 2013
1:21 pm
NO DOUBT,NEXT UP SEATTLE,ONE GAME AT A TIME,NO MORE BAD GAMES,LETS GO FALCONS
warfalcon
January 7th, 2013
1:22 pm
LETS GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Seattle Dylan
January 7th, 2013
1:23 pm
Hey Falcons fans,
You guys are in trouble for a couple of reasons. First off, your run defense is garbage, and the Falcons have struggled against mobile QB’s. Secondly, you guys are close to last in the league in rushing yards a game. So without having to worry about the run, the Seahawks secondary (which is arguably the best in the NFL) can focus on locking down Jones and White, while passing rushing Matty Ice. The Falcons are good but this is just a bad matchup for your team.
Earlene Stephens
January 7th, 2013
1:24 pm
Enter your comments here: Coach Smith, I have some suggestions that will energize your team and help bring home a superbowl win in 2013.
Drtybrd
January 7th, 2013
1:25 pm
Great, hottest team in the NFL.
Joshua Brown
January 7th, 2013
1:32 pm
LETS GO! Falcons fans, we need to get going and make some noise in the city of Atlanta. For those of you going to the game: BE LOUD!!!!!! let’s go! show some excitement
MG3
January 7th, 2013
1:40 pm
Falcons got beat by HOF Superbowl winning QB’s in the last three playoff games, not the case this year. Wilson has been great but that rookie is going to lose come Sunday. Please remember everyone that this year’s Falcons shut down both Mannings and picked Brees 5 times in one game, I don’t think they need to be scared of the Seahawks and a first year QB. If Falcons play with attitude and open up the playbook then I think they win easy, by 14 at least.
Philip
January 7th, 2013
1:47 pm
Tony Gonzo is about 95% sure the Falcons are one and done from the Playoffs. LOL
Jon
January 7th, 2013
1:49 pm
Get ready to get beat up all day. Your soft team could never play 4 quarters with the Hawks. Sea 34 Atl 17. Good year though!
Jon
January 7th, 2013
1:52 pm
Seahawks beat 5 playoff teams Atlanta beat scrubs all year. Atl can not play with Seattle.
jaquizzonyourface
January 7th, 2013
1:53 pm
Falcons win 34-17..to argue this is assinine..why seahawk fans think they will win sunday continues to bedevil me
MG3
January 7th, 2013
1:56 pm
Scrubs? Denver a scrub? How about that shutout we put on the NY Giants when everyone in the world was calling them a SB threat. If I was a Seattle fan I’d be happy b/c they’ve over achieved this year, but they should also be worried about Sunday. I saw nothing impressive yesterday and an offense that basically scored 17 points against the Redskins since the last TD was a gift after that turnover inside the 10.
falconsrus
January 7th, 2013
1:57 pm
Newsflash to all haters,trolls,and chawkz fanz Falcons got they part ready
JeremiahSheppard
January 7th, 2013
2:24 pm
I was listening to a talk show over the weekend on 92.9 the game where one of the hosts was talking about a problem that the falcons have had all season long of building or establising leads in games, and then trying to either sit on the leads or suddenly switching over to the running game and trying to milk the clock, eating up the clock, while there is still 3 quarters left in the football game or while there is a HUGE amount of time still remaining in the game. For some strange reason, this problem has gone UNCHECKED the entire season and has also gone UNCORRECTED. I have heard coach mike smith say repeatedly after football games, we will look at the game film, make the corrections, so that we will get the OUTCOME THAT WE WANT, even after wins. This problem of SITTING ON LEADS continued throughout the entire season and I am afraid it will continue into the playoffs. If that problem surfaces in the playoffs, coach Smith will eventually get fired, simply because the Falcons have more than enough talent to win a superbowl, and that should be the OUTCOME THAT WE ALL WANT AND SHOULD RECEIVE after the year is over. Even though the Falcons have not received much respect all year, I have every sports reporter and sportscaster agree that the Falcons have the THREE BEST WIDEOUTS IN THE GAME, PERIOD. You have essentially what amounts to three all pros at the wideout position, the latest with Julio Jones making the pro bowl this year, yet the Falcons have found no way to get these guys the football, AFTER THE FALCONS HAVE BUILT A COMFORTABLE LEAD IN GAMES. My suggestion is for the Falcons to keep pouring on the scoring, which you will have to do in the playoffs, until the opposing coach or players accuse you of RUNNING UP THE SCORE. It is better to score more points than you lead and have insurmoutable leads, then to not score enough and have a high-powered, high-octane offense like the Green Bay Packers offense overtake you and catch up to you from behind, with regard to scoring. The Falcons need to go out there and win the superbowl to shut up all the neysayers and the doubters. Falcon Kingdom ALL HAIL TO THE FALCONS!
effoff
January 7th, 2013
2:36 pm
@ Jerry Schwindler really why do people say that then yrun around and say Denver walks on water
effoff
January 7th, 2013
2:40 pm
Nathaniel Diaz
name calling really , and played no one, As In Peyton Manning, get over your self
Hey
January 7th, 2013
2:41 pm
“I was listening to a talk show over the weekend on 92.9″
That was your first mistake. I accidentally listened for a few minutes to some bonehead on there before the Giants game. The guy was popping off about how we’d be steamrolled by the Giants I guess to get ratings. 680 and 790 are the way to go.
Bring back Dave FM
Hey
January 7th, 2013
2:48 pm
@jeremiah by the way, great points about the falcons offense. go falcs
92.9 is GARBAGE
January 7th, 2013
2:58 pm
Not sports talk. Not even close.
Hugh Jardon
January 7th, 2013
3:33 pm
Cam Newton is a poor mans Russell Wilson and Newton ran all over you this year.
You have no idea what is heading your way.
JeremiahSheppard
January 7th, 2013
3:37 pm
to piggyback off of my previous blog, I remember when Pete Carroll was accused of running up the score in a game this season where the Seahawks had a game in hand and were winning handily and instead of punting the football, carroll had his team do a fake punt and the guy scored a touchdown and adding another 7 points to the seahawks final score and the hawks were accused of running up the score. Hey I would wish that the Falcons would run up the score on teams in the playoffs instead of AUTOMATICALLY GOING INTO CONSERVATIVE MODE, literally immediately after scoring 10-14 points, which makes no sense. You CANNOT win doing that against the Seahawks becuase they have recently gone through a stretch of 3 games where they scored 150 points and gave up 30 over a 3 game span, which I dont think has ever been done in the national football league this late in the season. The stingly defense averaged giving up only 10 points during that time, while the high-powered, high-octane offense AVERAGED 50 POINTS, while blitzing the 49ers and putting up 42 points on that VAUNTED 49ER DEFENSE. Look if you can put up 42 points against the leagues best defense, my question is how many points will you put up against the Falcons. I hope the Seahawks dont score 100 points against us, but if the Falcons are not prepare to trade scores all afternoon against the Seahawks, WE MAY GET EMBARRASSED EVEN WORSE THAN WE DID WHEN WE GOT SCORCHED BY THE PACKERS 48-21 in the Georgia Dome in 2010 when we went 13-3 and had the #1 seed. I think the Falcons themselves can score at least 80 points against the Seahawks this sunday, but the Falcons better not try to play conservative if they jump up 14-0 against them. They will regret it, blow their chance to win a superbowl this year, AND MIKE SMITH WILL GET FIRED, FOR SURE. You can tell I’m fired up and I hope we blow out the Seahawks 50-10. Go Falcons!
erik
January 7th, 2013
3:42 pm
Russel Wilson has three legs.
The Waterboy
January 7th, 2013
4:36 pm
Unfortunately, we are going to lose to Seattle. We have no run game and as such Seattle is going to feast on defending our passing game. We have a subpar running defense and as such Seattle will be running all over the field with multiple 10+yard rushes.
Gonna be a long day for us. Matt and Coach Mike will be 0-fer in the playoffs. Look for Tony to sign-on for one more season in hopes that the holes in the falcons team will be plugged thru the draft and free agency.
NFC championship will be Green Bay v. Seatle with Green Bay winning, righting the wrong that was done to them in that farce of a game on that infamous monday night.
Hugh Jardon
January 7th, 2013
4:49 pm
DC DIRTY BIRD ~ I was just responding to a posted comment. As far as divisions every one has gimme games. No way the Falcons would finish higher than third in the NFC West. The quality of the Falcons opponents is much weaker than Seattles. Cam Newton is a poor mans Russell Wilson and he tore up the Falcons defense. I would look for RW to really go to town.
As for Gonzalez you have a great point. Seattle has not faced an offense with a premier TE like Tony. It is up to the Falcon coaches to figure out a way to best utilize him against defense that dominates but might be caught unaware. Other than that Seattle has done well against finesse teams like the Falcons.
TheTRUTHhurts
January 7th, 2013
6:18 pm
The Falcons are going down!!!
ATL-BirdofaFeather
January 7th, 2013
6:34 pm
Not feelling good about the game Sunday! We all know that we are built to defend the pass and pass the ball. Seahawks strength is to run the ball and we have by far the worst rush defense out of the teams left in the playoffs. Plus with their pro bowl caliber secondary, it will be interesting to see if Matty Ice can thread the needle against their giant dbs. I would like to say that we have an advantage with our TE but the posters that are saying Seattle hasn’t beat anyone or played against a TonyG type are foolish. They beat Gronk, Hernandez, Finley, Witten, Vernon Davis, Greg Olsen…all great TEs. I would like to say our “experience” would be the difference, but that experience is 0-3 while their QB has already won in the playoffs! Here’s hoping I’m completely wrong and we get to take revenge on Rodgers!!
LivedBothPlaces
January 7th, 2013
6:34 pm
Draggin’ Fly sez: “Seahawks beat a one-legged quarterback. Let’s see what they can do against a two-legged one.”
Here’s a list of two-legged quarterbacks Seattle has beaten this year:
Tom Brady
Aaron Rogers
Colin Kaepernic
Cam Newton
Tony Romo
Jay Cutler
Sam Bradford
This game won’t be close.
JustJudd
January 7th, 2013
6:46 pm
Falcon Fan – just in case you wanted some facts, Jeff Saragin has a computer generated ranking of teams as well as divisions. Sounds like you will be surprised that the NFC West was ranked as the best division (the the weakest). Check it out http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/nfl12.htm
Here’s looking for a good game!
Steve M.
January 7th, 2013
6:51 pm
After reading this article it very clear to me …. THE SEAHAWKS ARE GOING TO THE SUPERBOWL!!! Everybody who plays the Falcons goes on to play in the SUPERBOWL!!!!
adkam
January 7th, 2013
7:15 pm
@ Falcon Fan: I think these teams are pretty well matched and as a Seahawks fan, I am concerned about going through Atlanta. Atlanta has way more to prove as they haven’t won a play off game so I know your team is hungry. Julio Jones, Roddy White, Tony G…..they are amazing. Now having said that. How do you figure NFC West is the weakest division? We have 2 of our 4 in the final 4. The 49ers made it to the Championship game last year and in the last decade, we’ve had 3 of our 4 teams make it to the SB. You can NOT say the same about your division. Plus, we played the AFC east this year. All 4 of them and the Seahawks beat every one of them, including the Pats. Look somewhere else for your weakest link.
Montana Falcon Fan
January 7th, 2013
7:19 pm
no draggin fly, the game is at 1. fox coverage starts at 12.
adkam
January 7th, 2013
7:19 pm
@ Dirty Bird. Though the Cardinals have fallen off badly since Kurt Warner left, I would ask the Patriots about the Cardinals being a gimme game this year. The Cards only won 5. That was more than the Eagles or the Lions this year and look what their expectations were.
adkam
January 7th, 2013
7:31 pm
My bad…Seahawks did lose to the Dolphins. Even I can’t explain that one.
Steve Sorkin
January 7th, 2013
8:06 pm
Jerry is absolutely right on; the Falcons have had a cupcake schedule. The Seaslugs will kick them a new behind!!!
jo
January 7th, 2013
8:27 pm
Falcons won every game that were must wins. They are much more talented than the seachickens. Falcons win 27-19 after a little 3rd quarter drama. Cant wait for the GB matchup afterwards. That will be a tough game. Not this little rookie led Qb chicken of the sea team.
Notyerdadsseahhags
January 7th, 2013
9:22 pm
Gunna b a beat down by sum bad mofo seahags, they don’t give no sh$t what you say bro
Notyerdadsseahhags
January 7th, 2013
9:24 pm
Maddy Ryan Gunna be selling life insurance next year after this game
phil
January 7th, 2013
9:54 pm
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.
*********
THIS fan of 35 years running is plenty worried. Most of our fans are simply blind homers with nothing on which to base such crazed optimism. I don’t get it.
Nostradumbass
January 7th, 2013
10:02 pm
You Atlanta fans sound real confident,..That’s good. It’s going to make for a better look on your face when you get the whoopin’ that’s coming on Sunday…Matt Ryan is a choke artist…Like Romo he can put up big numbers in the regular season but when it’s on the line, he chokes…You haven’t faced a D like Seattle…There is one defensive stat that counts…points allowed and Seattle gave up the fewest of any team…We can handle your passing game…You running game is weak…You had the easiest schedule in the NFL with an opponent AVG win percentage of only 425%…Your D is weak…Seattle’s D is going to punish the Falcons…players are going to be helped off the field and they won’t be wearing blue…Go ahead with your delusional confidence and phony hubris…It’s gonna be another one and done for ya’ll…And by the way,..What a bunch of weak fans you are…11,000 tickets still available today?…That’s pathetic,..What a horrible sports town you are…Don’t be thinking you have some sort of home field advantage…you don’t even know what that’s like…Nobody has a better home field than the Seahawks and thats a fact…Welcome to your worst nightmare Atlanta and get ready to get pounded.
Timmy-Time
January 7th, 2013
10:32 pm
I am getting very amused at all of the Falcons fans that are saying their team beat up on the Seahawks defense last year. No! The Falcons have never seen THIS Seahawks defense . It is like nothing they have seen from the Seahawks before. They are big, they are athletic, they are fast, they hit people really hard, they hurt people they hit, the people they hit don’t get up quickly, if at all.
Atlants plays a finesse type of game. That works in the regular season. Not so much in the playoffs. The Seahawks’ offense plays with the same mentality that their defense does. Marshawn Lynch is not hype. Beast mode is not just a slick slogan. He is a force of nature. RW1 is the real deal. He is the kid that makes everyone else better. The offense has come into its own over the last half of the season. The Atlanta Falcons are not just facing a hot team, they are facing a team that has decided to define itself by their play and they are having a lot of fun doing it.
Peter Marshall
January 7th, 2013
11:24 pm
As a Seahawk fan, I love Atlanta and their fans. I just want a good game on Sunday.
Esquire
January 8th, 2013
6:51 am
Seattle Dylan
January 7th, 2013
1:23 pm
Hey Falcons fans,
You guys are in trouble for a couple of reasons. First off, your run defense is garbage, and the Falcons have struggled against mobile QB’s. Secondly, you guys are close to last in the league in rushing yards a game. So without having to worry about the run, the Seahawks secondary (which is arguably the best in the NFL) can focus on locking down Jones and White, while passing rushing Matty Ice. The Falcons are good but this is just a bad matchup for your team.
*********************************************
Great to have you on our blog Dylan. Sadly you won’t be here after we open up a can on your over-rated team this Sunday. No doubt Seahawks have made improvements, Wilson has had a decent year. But you are about to discover the Falcons in a light that you aren’t aware of. Look at all the stats you want, meaningless when our Birds decide they are going to take you down. These Falcons push a button and take it to another level on both offense and defense. You’ll see.
The Falcons have struggled against mobile QB’s? We beat RG3, we beat Cam, we beat the Eagles with their fleet of foot QB so I don’t know where you get that. Wilson may not be so sure he wants to run, RG3 got knocked out of the game that way against us. Also, Wilson has put the ball on the ground a lot but being fortunate to lose only 50% of his fumbles. We’ve beaten some pretty good quarterbacks. Ever heard of Manning and his other brother Manning. Or Brees, or Romo, or Stafford, just to name a few. Hey, wasn’t Wilson the name of Tom Hanks friend in the movie “Cast Away”. You Seattleite’s will need to comfort Russell after the loss on Sunday, he is going to feel lonely, just like that ball.
Matt Ryan is 5th among passers, Russell Wilson 23rd. Wilson had 10 interceptions in the regular season, that is a whole bunch of INT’s for somebody that only attempted 393 passes. You mention our rushing ranking as being nearly last, well you are right. 29th in the league. But all we need is a few rushes to keep you honest against the run and our league leading (5th) receiver corp will chew you up. We only needed 20 rushes to gain 126 yards rushing against the #1 rushing defense in the NFL…………………that is more than what we will need to beat you.
I noticed you mentioned Jones and White. Say, have you ever heard of Tony Gonzalez? Just a heads up, you might want to account for him. And you mentioned rushing Matt Ryan. Unfortunately, it looks like you’ve lost your best pass rusher Clemons not to be confused with Bruce Springsteen’s sax player Clarence Clemons whom sadly passed away in 2011. I am certain you Hawkers will be screaming “oh if only we had Clemons you would have never kicked our tails.”
And lastly, and I just hate to be this cheap. Your newspapers are splattered with:
“Seahawks own Washington”
Washington has lost its past three playoff games, all to the Seahawks:
2012 Seahawks 24, at Washington 14
2008 At Seahawks 35, Washington 14
2006 At Seahawks 20, Washington 10
They aren’t showing our last 3 games in the paper:
10/02/2011 Atlanta Falcons 30, Seattle Seahawks 28
12/19/2010 Atlanta Falcons 34, Seattle Seahawks 18
12/30/2007 Atlanta Falcons 44, Seattle Seahawks 41
MoonBuck
January 8th, 2013
6:55 am
Hawks fan here.
I’ve been reading all the comments and I see allot of bird-themed jabs at Seattle. If Sea Hawks = Sea Chickens, wouldn’t it reason that Falcons = Chickens? Just funny. Not being mean.
I respect the Falcons run this season and last and by know means think it will be a cake walk for my Sea Chickens. My gut says we are going pull it off. Just feels right. However, if we don’t win I will be backing you’r Chickens the rest of the way.
Go Hawks!
MoonBuck
January 8th, 2013
7:01 am
*by no means*
Rise up 12th man
January 8th, 2013
11:32 am
Really the weakest division dont make me laugh. The 49ers, and Seahawks are in the playoffs, while the rams just missed out. Name one team in the Falcons divison,besides the falcons who finished .500, not the weakest division anymore, dont be ignorant. Also RG3 and that pistol offense gave everyone trouble late in the year even RG3 not fully healthy. Matt Ryan is not a scrambler, so the Seahawks could focus on your ground game, and blitz him more. Mat is more of a pocket passer, which works in Seattles favor. It will be a close game, it will be a fight, honestly its a coin toss, Atlanta hasa litlle of an edge being that they are at home.
Roger
January 8th, 2013
11:36 am
The ONLY thing that matters is points scored and points allowed.
Seahawks like to say they are #1 in the league in points allowed at roughly 15. Impressive for sure.
Atlanta though is #5 in points allowed at roughly 18.
Is this a HUGE difference in defenses?
Rise up 12th man
January 8th, 2013
11:37 am
What do the Falcons and hot teams in the playoffs equal, usually losses. So dont be surprised if the Seahawks pull off the upset. However I am a die hard seahawks fan, and I know this game is going to be tough but if any team can beat the Falcons it is the Seahawks.I think the winner of this game is superbowl bound, either team. So let Sunday do the talking.
Rise up 12th man
January 8th, 2013
11:38 am
The Seahawks also have two probowl lineman, lets not forget, im not sure about Atlanta
Roger
January 8th, 2013
11:40 am
another important stat is this:
Points given up at home and on the road.
Seattle gave up 18.2 on the road.
Atlanta gave up 17 points at home.
Over the past three games of the regular season9since we all like to hear about momentum)
Atlanta gave up 13.3 points a game
Seattle gave up 13.3 as well.
Rise up 12th man
January 8th, 2013
11:42 am
There is a difference in Defenses when you look at the teams each team has played, Seahawks played the Patriots, Packers, Niners, Panthers, all who have good offenses. Name more than that that the Falcons have played.
Roger
January 8th, 2013
11:43 am
Rise up 12th man, thats good and of course Seattles defense is tough, but Pro Bowl doesnt mean anything since Kansas City has 5 pro bowlers
Rise up 12th man
January 8th, 2013
11:44 am
I have no hate for the Falcons, that being said tho, I think its gonna be a great offense of the falcons versus a great defense of seattle, and a vastly improving offense of the seahwks versus a semi- good defense of the Falcons, it will be a battle, but im leaning towards th Hawks, but well let the play do the talk, it should be a good one.
Rise up 12th man
January 8th, 2013
11:45 am
What I want to see is how the corners will be against white,and jones, if Sherman and Browner come to play, its either gonna be picked off,or Ryan goin down for a sack.
Rise up 12th man
January 8th, 2013
11:46 am
I think the Redskin game is a wake up call for the Hawks, expect them to play tougher in the next game
Roger
January 8th, 2013
11:49 am
Falcons have played 5 games agaisnt teams in the top 6 in points scored and yet still have the 5th ranked scoring defense…id say that isnt unimpressive
I dont think the Seattle corners have played agaisnt ANY recievers this year better than Julio/Roddy…so thats going to be interesting.
Rise up 12th man
January 8th, 2013
11:50 am
Trust me Hawks could do it
Rise up 12th man
January 8th, 2013
11:52 am
They played Fitzgerald, Calvin johnson, Greg Jones, Mario mAnningham, Randymoss, Percy HArvin the list goes on and on
Rise up 12th man
January 8th, 2013
11:52 am
Trust me Fitzgerald is better than both
Rise up 12th man
January 8th, 2013
11:53 am
Also Sherman is 2nd in interceptions, Browner has four, and Earl Thomas has now four, dont undersetimate our safeties
Rise up 12th man
January 8th, 2013
11:55 am
Falcons recievers have not played cornerbacks who posses speed as well as length, Sherman and Browner are both over 6 foot 2, and Earl Thomasis arguably the fastest Safety in the League
BLeder
January 8th, 2013
2:23 pm
The 13-3 Atlanta Falcons have had a really weak schedule. They’ve only played 3 teams that ended up with more wins than losses, and only 2 of them made it to the playoffs, but they are 2-0 against them. Opponent win-loss is a dismal 85-121. The Falcons have also given up a lot of yards to their opponents in rushing and passing.
The 11-5 Seahawks opponents finished 104-102-2. The Seahawks have played 5 teams during the regular season that made it to the playoffs, went 4-1 against them, and then beat the Redskins on the road, in the wild card round.
My prediction:
Seahawks 31 Falcons 21
Seahwaks 42 Atl 10
January 8th, 2013
2:33 pm
Enough said
SeaEatingChickens
January 9th, 2013
1:15 am
I can’t see the falcons scoring more than 23 at best. Seahawks should be able to put up a lot of points and slice and dice the falcons Defense.
Hawks Eat Them Alive
January 9th, 2013
1:03 pm
GO SEAHAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!