Playoff matchup: Falcons run offense vs. Seahawks run defense
Here's Michael Turner getting past New Orleans linebacker Jonathan Vilma for yardage during 1st quarter action at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Thursday, November 29, 2012. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM
FLOWERY BRANCH — Here’s a look at how the Falcons run offense matches up against the Seahawks run defense.
Falcons’ starters: Running back Michael Turner and fullback Mike Cox.
Falcons’ key reserves: Jacquizz Rodgers, Jason Snelling and Antone Smith.
Seahawks’ starters: Outside linebacker Leroy Hill, middle linebacker Bobby Wagner and outside K.J. Wright.
Seahawks’ reserves: Malcolm Smith, Heath Farwell, Mike Morgan and Allen Bradford (Inactive for Washington playoff game).
Matchup to watch: Turner vs. Wagner
The Seahawks gave up 103.1 yards per game during the regular season, which ranked 10th in the league.
The Falcons, as they transformed into more of passing team this season, ran the ball just as a function of trying to keep defense’s honest.
The Falcons averaged 87.3 yards per game, which ranked 29th in the league. Turner led the Falcons in rushing with 800 yards on 222 carries. Rogers had 362 yards on 94 carries.
Backup running back Jason Snelling will also see some action against the Seahawks.
“We have three capable backs who all have different strengths and weaknesses,” Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said. “We are going to see all three guys. Mike, Quizz and Jason will all be used on Sunday.”
The Seahawks are led by Wagner, who had nine tackles against the Redskins and Wright, who had eight.
Wagner is a rookie from Utah State. He finished the regular season with 140 tackles. He started 15 of 16 games in the regular season.
The linebackers flow well behind the Seahawks’ mammoth offensive line.
“We know who they are,” Turner said. ” We know what they are capable of doing.”
The Falcons offense plans to match the Seahawks’ physical style of play.
“We have to go out and be in the right mindset to play a physical football game because that’s how Seattle plays,” Koetter said.
Advantage: Seahawks
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74 comments Add your comment
Say what
January 9th, 2013
11:09 pm
206: “no I’m not a rapper….sounds like a racist statement to make don’t you think?”
rm, if anyone is racist, it’s you. All rm said is your screen name sounds like a rappers name. No different than if he had said it sounds like a pop stars name. Like, who do you think you are. You are the one who made it racist. The Seahawk drug really addles the brain, apparently.
Say what
January 9th, 2013
11:13 pm
206: It should be easy running against the 24th ranked defense in the NFL
Hahahaha. The Seahawk druggies love to hit off that stat pipe. ATL WILL be tackling on Sunday.
coleski
January 10th, 2013
8:39 am
Should’nt the Falcons just go ahead and cede the game to Seattle, because no one gives them a
chance. I would say probably say that 99% of the sports media does’nt give them a chance. But as
the lod saying goes, they have to play the game to see who wins.
I just have a feeling that the Falcons will win. I sure hope it’s not gas. Go get’m Falcons.
RiseUpHawks!!!!
January 10th, 2013
8:43 am
Please, enough of all this bs, lets talk football gentlemen. Tackling? I dont think Antlanta knows the meaning when it comes to the run game, theres a reason why they are ranked 24th. Its going to be a good match up, no blowout. The Falcons do have two of the best recievers in the league granted. The seahawks have two of the best corners in the game,as well as two of the best safties, so Falcon fans dont oyu start with ur Julio/Roddy Bs,please. Name a top 5 defense that youbeat this
year???? Im waiting…….
RiseUpHawks!!!!
January 10th, 2013
8:46 am
And by the way Say What, rm never said his screen name sounds like a rapper,mayb u should learn how to read
RiseUpHawks!!!!
January 10th, 2013
8:47 am
How the hell does 206 sound like a rappers name anyway, none that I have heard of, have just a number in their name
Seattlebaby
January 10th, 2013
9:26 am
Damn right go Hawks
Seattlebaby
January 10th, 2013
9:27 am
Say What your a feakin idiot
Seattlebaby
January 10th, 2013
9:27 am
Just get trashed like your Falcons in the Playoffs
12thman Bizzitch
January 10th, 2013
9:33 am
The Falcons,please, they cant compete, just look at history.
I usually just read but...
January 10th, 2013
10:16 am
Seahawk fans = Pelicans due to the mouth on ‘em. But just for fun and giggles, here’s a few facts:
The Seahawks have confirmed signing Longwell and placing Hauschka on the injured reserve.
38-year-old Longwell hasn’t played all season, last seeing action in 2011 during his sixth and final year with the Vikings
Seattle had punter Jon Ryan take over kickoff duties
Not that I’m a coach but that would seem to create some problems, I’m guessing not many, if any, kickoffs to the end zone would be risky for the special teams coverage. Look to see HD doing some returns.
GameReviewer
January 10th, 2013
10:18 am
Where is this Seattle moron coming off like the NFC West division is all that good. With Power houses like the Rams and Arizona Cardinals. The NFC South has been one of the toughest divisions for years and now this West Coast loud mouth comes on here and thinks he can trash talk?
I just heard on the radio Atlanta won’t be in the Prime Time Saturday game because we are playing the “unknown/unliked” Seattle Seahawks that has NO fanbase.
I’ll be visiting your Seattle message boards soon to set everybody straight about WHO will emerge victorious.
BTW SeattleMike, get your facts straight. The Falcons won ON THE ROAD against the Skins. RG3 was healthy in that game and not limping around like against the lowly Seahawks.
Angry Bird
January 10th, 2013
12:52 pm
lets see how many Dirty Bird fans will be on here after the game giving kudo’s to the Angry Birds for the win…probably NONE…hard to type with tears in your eyes…
Angry Bird
January 10th, 2013
12:55 pm
the game between the Hawks and the Skins was the MOST watched TV program since the Olympics….and this game may match or beat that…Angry Birds are the new Americas Team…bye Dallas…
Angry Bird
January 10th, 2013
12:57 pm
206 is an area code…SEATTLE baby!
Say what
January 10th, 2013
2:09 pm
Hey RiseUpFool, rm said “206…is that the area code in seattle? What are you a rapper?” What else do you think he could be referring to? His rhymes? There weren’t any. Reading comprehension 101, context is everything. Whether you think “206″ sounds like a rapper’s name irrelevant.
(also to correct my typo, my earlier post should read, “206, if anyone is racist, it’s you….” but it appears you Seachicken tough-talkers figured that out, at least)
DareToBelieveSince1966
January 10th, 2013
6:59 pm
Winna, no matter how BAAD ur devil is… there is a professional football BEATDOWN waiting for the “hocks”.
Matt Flynn
January 11th, 2013
12:36 pm
Falcon fans should work on selling out the game first. What an embarrassment.
JSS
January 11th, 2013
12:43 pm
SMH…
warfalcon
January 11th, 2013
1:32 pm
Advantage: Seahawks,BULL
Turner is going to have 150
NO DOUBT———–ONE GAME AT A TIME—————NO MORE BAD GAMES——————————–LETS GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Enkinan
January 11th, 2013
3:07 pm
Gotta love the morons still saying the game isn’t sold out.
GO FALCONS
DB
January 11th, 2013
3:43 pm
But why when people talk about who we have beat and when they bring up Denver they bring up that peyton was getting a feel for his new team…..thats a bunch of bull….we have played the teams taht were on the schedule We played them in week two and we beat them….simple as that.
DB
January 11th, 2013
3:44 pm
Turner gonna be the darkhorse of the game….2 TDS 100+ yards falcons STATEMENT win on sunday.
Angry Bird
January 14th, 2013
10:19 am
Angry Bird
January 14th, 2013
10:17 am
kudo’s to the Dirty Birds…you pulled it off…emotions of the fans for both teams took a tumble with a minute left in this game…shoulda coulda woulda on the 4th and 1 go for it in the first half…kick a field goal…game over…but nobody knew that…good job to your beast…Gonzales…that guy gave us fits and won the game for you…I will be rootin for the Falcons now as I hate the 49′ers…next year no learning curve for Wilson, so we should be division winners and have some more home games…go Dirty Birds..
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