Playoff matchup: Falcons pass defense vs. Seahawks pass offense
November 29, 2012 - Atlanta, Ga: New Orleans Saints wide receiver Lane Moore (16) makes a catch in between Atlanta Falcons defenders Sean Weatherspoon, left, and William Moore in the first half of their game at the Georgia Dome Thursday night in Atlanta, Ga., November 29, 2012. JASON GETZ / JGETZ@AJC.COM
Falcons starters: Left cornerback Asante Samuel, right cornerback Dunta Robinson, nickel back Robert McClain, free safety Thomas DeCoud and strong safety William Moore.
Falcons key reserves: Cornerbacks — Dominique Franks and Christopher Owens. Safeties — Chris Hope and Charles Mitchell
Seahawks: Quarterback Russell Wilson. Wide receivers Golden Tate and Sidney Rice. Tight end Zach Miller.
Seahawks key reserves: Wide receivers —Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse and Deon Butler (Inactive in wildcard round). Tight end – Anthony McCoy and Sean McGrath.
Matchup to watch: DeCoud vs. Wilson
The Falcons gave up 242.4 yards passing per game, which ranked 23rd in the league.
The Seahawks passed for 189.4 ayrds per game, which ranked 27th in the league.
Wilson, a rookie, has developed as the season progressed.
“From the Chicago game on, we’ve really taken a big jump,” Seattle coach Pete Carroll said. “Russell scored at the end of regulation and then scored on the first drive of overtime to beat a Bears team that was in first place and trying to keep their spot at their place…We are much different than we were early.”
Wilson completed 252 of 393 passes (64.1 percent) for 3,118 yards and 26 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. He finished with a passer rating of 100, but was sacked 33 times.
Rice and Tate each had seven touchdown catches.
The Falcons have given up yardage, but have masked that by taking the ball away. They had 10 interceptions in games against Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Eli Manning.
The Falcons will attempt to disguise their coverages and force Wilson into some errant throws. DeCoud is usually the player who gets to attack the ball as he led the team with six interceptions. Samuel had five.
The secondary should receive a boost from the return of safety William Moore, who missed the last four games of the season with a hamstring injury.
Advantage: Falcons
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94 comments Add your comment
eric s.
January 10th, 2013
4:36 pm
who did atlanta beat that was any good this year?? name 3 big wins.. Giants 8-8..great job!!
bainbridgejim
January 10th, 2013
4:39 pm
@ old man I think your 1st paragraph is right but I think your 2nd is only half right. I believe the nfl would like Atlanta to progress (pretty far this year). The enticement is smooth ride for a new stadium. The front office carries more weight.
Seahawks Fan
January 10th, 2013
4:43 pm
You Atlanta fans sound awful nervous. The pressure’s on! Most likely Monday you guys will be out shopping for a coach that can win the big game!
Lee's Legion
January 10th, 2013
4:48 pm
Everyone keeps saying Matt Ryan is 0 for 3, but the guy who called the plays has now been fired twice since the last playoff game. Let’s see how the play with the new coordinators before we judge this team.
Interesting
January 10th, 2013
4:50 pm
uh… the broncos? the #1 seed in the AFC
Lee's Legion
January 10th, 2013
4:53 pm
btw: The DC field has taken out RG3, Clemons and A Petterson,s knee in the last year without another player being around. No wonder Dr Andrews hangs out at the Redskins games, it is easier than chasing ambulances.
Loyalfalconfrmthemississippi
January 10th, 2013
5:06 pm
@12thman; every team atlanta has played thought atlanta was the same team as last year, in all reallity atlanta is a completely different team, there may not be many player changes but thats not where the real change was made. Just remember, its not always the player that makes a team bad, sometimes other things can be holding a team back. You’ll will see how very different this team is come sunday when they pound the chickens even worse than they did last year. If its one thing atlanta has proven its you cant win a championship with just a run game. Take away the run and the hawks have nothing.
ernisTbass
January 10th, 2013
5:08 pm
Atl beat the same teams that Denver beat, including Denver, that have the media declaring Manning God, how come when Atl beat them thay are nobody but when Denver beats them it is an outstanding accomplishment? You play who is on your schedule and every team puts 11 guys on the field
Loyalfalconfrmthemississippi
January 10th, 2013
5:09 pm
@eric s; denver broncos dumna**
old man
January 10th, 2013
5:22 pm
4.63 seconds
Brandon Browner, 40 yard dash time
4.54 seconds
Richard Sherman, 40 yard dash time
4.47 seconds
Roddy White, 40 yard dash time
4.39 seconds
Julio Jones, 40 yard dash time
old man
January 10th, 2013
5:23 pm
4.51 seconds
Harry Douglas, 40 yard dash time
Hey Now
January 10th, 2013
5:23 pm
Hey Eric S. (Is the “S” for Seahawk?) we beat Denver (#1 team in the AFC), Arizona (Seahawk loss), Detroit (another Sehawk loss), Redskins (When RG III was healthy), Dallas (When they were good) and the Buccaneers when they were the hottest team in Football.
12thMan
January 10th, 2013
5:24 pm
*YAWN* as if 40 yd times will get you open.
12thMan
January 10th, 2013
5:25 pm
Loyal says ” Take away the run and the hawks have nothing.”
So who’s been able to do that this year? Waiting. Waiting. The Falcons will? HAHAHAHAHAHA!
12thMan
January 10th, 2013
5:27 pm
Mike Silver picks a NE vs SEA Superbowl. At least he isn’t accurate. Oh, wait.
old man
January 10th, 2013
5:27 pm
4.62 seconds
Kam Chancellor, 40 yard dash time
4.43 seconds
Earl Thomas, 40 yard dash time
It looks like Earl Thomas is the only guy who can keep up with any of our WRs.
Hey Now
January 10th, 2013
5:35 pm
Hey Seahawks Fan Atanta Fans are nervous with anticipation. It has been a couple of weeks since the Falcons have been on the field. We’re more then ready for your team. I hope the Seahawks enjoy their second consecutive East coast trip. Don’t forget to set your clocks. We don’t want you to be late.
old man
January 10th, 2013
5:38 pm
Thinking about who is going to stop the big run play for us. We need run these guys down after no more than 25 yards or so, on those occasions they get to the second level.
4.34 seconds
Dunta Robinson, 40 yard dash time
4.46 seconds
Marshawn Lynch, 40 yard dash time
4.49 seconds
Asante Samuel, 40 yard dash time
4.50 seconds
Thomas DeCoud, 40 yard dash time
4.55 seconds
Russell Wilson, 40 yard dash time
4.56 seconds
William Moore, 40 yard dash time
4.58 seconds
Chris Hope, 40 yard dash time
4.62 seconds
Sean Weatherspoon, 40 yard dash time
old man
January 10th, 2013
5:45 pm
Our DBs, their WRs. Just FYI.
4.34 seconds
Dunta Robinson, 40 yard dash time
4.38 seconds
Deon Butler, 40 yard dash time
4.42 seconds
Golden Tate, 40 yard dash time
4.49 seconds
Asante Samuel, 40 yard dash time
4.49 seconds
Doug Baldwin, 40 yard dash time
4.50 seconds
Thomas DeCoud, 40 yard dash time
4.51 seconds
Sidney Rice, 40 yard dash time
4.56 seconds
William Moore, 40 yard dash time
4.58 seconds
Chris Hope, 40 yard dash time
eric s.
January 10th, 2013
5:49 pm
hey now-
hawks dropped 58 on ariz and beat dallas when they were supposed to be great
when were the bucs hot..oh yeah when they beat the falcons 2 weeks ago..
redskins were never good and denver will lose to baltimore.. they have 6 winns against the chargers,raiders and chiefs..
old man
January 10th, 2013
5:51 pm
We need to go with a nickel package and have one DB delay blitz/spy Wilson on anything remotely looking like a passing down. If Weatherspoon has an angle on the sideline (remember RGIII?) he will do fine, but in the open field, Wilson will evade him. We need someone with the agility to prevent Wilson from doing his Fran the Man impersonation.
JayZ
January 10th, 2013
6:07 pm
Sorry ATL Fans….Seattle is hot and they are going to win. It would be a two touchdown victory had Clemons not been injured. That said, Seahawks win a close one. Marshawn cannot be stopped, and the threat of the Russell Wilson/Marshawn read option is going to kill ATL’s defense.
Go Hawks!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Now
January 10th, 2013
6:09 pm
Hey Eric S. that’s great that you guys beat Arizona after they packed it in for the season. The Bucs were 6 – 4 at the time we beat them and the media darling, sound familiar (AKA Seahawks). If the Redskins were nevr good why are you Seahawks fans on this blog bragging aut your 10 point win over a one legged Quarterback? I also noticed that you avoided mentioning your losses to Detroit and Saint Louis. Your concern should be playing away at a dome where it looks like your team does not fair too well. I’m looking forward to seeing how your Rookie Quarterback handles the pressure of 72,000 screaming Falcons fans inside the Dome.
Seahawks < Falcons
January 10th, 2013
6:44 pm
there’s 2 reason why Russel Wilson scramble and run, . he have no receivers open so he takes off. 2. Jesse pressure so he takes off. He a rusher not a pocket passer. keep the an contain and force home to become a an. His wideout? He have no big time play makers. Doug Martin was hot before coming to Atlanta 380 rush yard I believe. We stop him ONLY 50 that whole game!! don’t depend ok n the run to much that’s the only hand you have left. let’s be realistic
Seahawks < Falcons
January 10th, 2013
6:48 pm
there’s 2 reason why Russel Wilson scramble and run, . he have no receivers open so he takes off running. 2. There’s pressure coming so he takes off running. He a rusher not a pocket passer. keep the QB Contain and force home to become a QB His wideout? He have no big time play makers. Doug Martin was hot before coming to Atlanta 380 rush yard I believe. We stop him to ONLY 50 yards that whole game!! don’t depend ok n the run to much that’s the only hand you have left. let’s be realistic.
Hey Now
January 10th, 2013
6:56 pm
JayZ- In the spirit of the movie “My cousin Vinny” where the judge (aka Herman Munster), ” Are you on Druggssss”.
Hey Now
January 10th, 2013
6:58 pm
Eric S.- the “S” must be for “Slow”, because you failed to mention your Detroit game. falcons beat Dtw…how did you do?
206
January 10th, 2013
7:03 pm
Seahawks>Falcons…….we don’t need passing game just check thishttp://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=jBHk9rc4hHc out!
206
January 10th, 2013
7:03 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=jBHk9rc4hHc
joseph madden
January 10th, 2013
7:23 pm
all you falcon fans are liars for saying atlanta will win. Everyone knows the sseahawks will win, Go seahawks. The falcons receivers can’t handle the seahawks cornerbacks. seattle has a better defense, rookie of the year at quarterback, one of the best running back in lynch, a good coach and a 6 game winning streak. bye bye atlanta your going to lose another playoff game in the nolan smith matt ryan era
Seahawks < Falcons
January 10th, 2013
7:27 pm
Seahawks will be the black sheep after being fired, Atlanta win divisional round and advance.
Seahawks < Falcons
January 10th, 2013
7:28 pm
after being guted***
Loyalfalconfrmthemississippi
January 10th, 2013
7:49 pm
@12th man; you must be special. Atlanta didnt have a problem shutting down doug martin. The run game is all seatle has. Seatles lack of a recieving core worth mentioning will be their down fall. Atlantas defense can beat seatle in man coverage and bring the house on wilson and lynch. The run wont win you a championship. And if you truly think sherman and browner can run with this recieving core then you better look at how they faired the last time they played roddy and julio was just a rookie. Sad sad seatle fans. Even sherman himself cant talk smack to this recieving core cause he knows hes gonna get burned again.
UGA ECONOMICS MAJOR
January 10th, 2013
8:33 pm
RISE UP NATION!!!ATLANTA FALCONS FAN….LET THE SEACHICKENS HEAR YOU LOUD AND CLEAR…..GEORGIA DOME SHOW THE SEACHICKENS WHAT THE 12TH MAN IS ABOUT ATLANTA STYLE..RATTLE THE ROOKIE QUATERBACK!!!
GregKennesaw
January 10th, 2013
8:39 pm
Marshawn Lynch DNP again today – hurt foot
TrueFalconFan
January 10th, 2013
11:50 pm
Why are these Seattle fans on an Atlanta blog……Don’t you have you’re own? If you’re truly that confident brag in the Seattle Times. Every year we get all these fans from other teams bashing us on our blog. You’re not going to convert us, so leave go back to your seattle times. As for the game on sunday, Atlanta 38 Seattle 16….we don’t give up redzone TD’s….there’s a stat for ya.
Gritsfalcon
January 11th, 2013
12:13 am
RIGHT!!! BE IN THE DOME READY TO ROCK & KNOCK OFF THE SEAHAWKS SOCKS BY 12:30!!!!!
Go Deep
January 11th, 2013
12:24 am
Like taking Candy from a Baby – Easy as Pie
Matt Ryan
January 11th, 2013
1:22 am
WHEN WE LOSE ON SUNDAY I WILL BE CONVINCED THIS TOWN IS A JINX
T.C.
January 11th, 2013
1:31 am
I think Coach Mike Smith oughta have a pre-game talk with the officials about the play of the Seahawks…they play dirty..they confuse playing hard and aggresive with playing dirty..something to look out for..just sayin’…
jc_dawgs
January 11th, 2013
6:24 am
People seem worried most about Ryan and his ability to get the passing game going and keep it going. Seattle’s strength is there corners but there secondary is 28th in interceptions. With Clemons out…a not so good Seattle pass rush will be even weaker. Look for Gonzo to have a huge game…also Rogers with the screen passes. There will also be some no huddle and in the second half when the Falcons are ahead….The tired Seaquacks wont be able to stop Turner.
Defensively….not too worried. Falcons will maintain there gaps and limit Seattle’s rushing game and force enough 2nd and longs to put the rook in a highly pressured situation to make something happen. Falcons will amass 3 picks in this game. Falcons 38 Seaquacks 17
DC Dirty Bird
January 11th, 2013
6:43 am
I keep hearing “Seattle is hot”. What about the way they’ve played makes them “hot”? I saw a defense come out of the locker room and get 14 points dropped on them in the 1st quarter with the bleeding being stopped by an injury. I saw an offense that put together only two good drives and failed to score a touchdown when given a turnover inside the 10 with a chance to ice the game. That doesn’t sound hot to me.
I usually just read but...
January 11th, 2013
8:56 am
I thought this was a 16 game season? What is this “last 8 games” $h!t I hear over and over. Sick of it. That all you got? If so, STFU
Flo-Ri-Duh
January 11th, 2013
2:15 pm
Falcons by SIX…. Sea Hawks barely got by Skins who were pretty much without a QB in the 2nd half.