Seattle tough but Falcons have some advantages (updated)
Are the Falcons ready for Marshawn Lynch and the Seattle Seahawks? (AP photo)
(Updated: 8:50 p.m. with opening odds.)
The Falcons last won a playoff game eight years ago (47-17 over St. Louis, Jan. 15, 2005). The have lost four straight since.
For that trend to change, they are going to have to beat a Seattle team that possesses: 1) a mobile quarterback (Russell Wilson); 2) a physical defense that held Washington to only 203 yards in offense (69 after the first two possessions); and 3) a powerful running game.
So you expected easy?
But after three playoff losses in the last four years, there are several positives for the Falcons going into their match-up against Seattle, which advanced after beating the Redskins 24-14 Sunday.
UPDATE: The Falcons have opened as only a two-point favorite over the Seahawks at LVH Superbook. Since home teams generally get three points, the line effectively means Seattle is considered one point “better” than Atlanta.
• 1.) Beat-up factor: The Seahawks are a tough team, as evidenced by them going 7-1 in the second half of the season after being only 4-4 at the turn, and then winning a road playoff game. But the question is: What do they have left in the tank after winning an emotional and physical game over the Redskins? The win in Washington did not come easy.
• 2.) Home field factor: The Falcons will be at home, where they’ve generally dominated: 7-1 this season and 33-7 in five regular seasons. (Then again, there was that lopsided playoff loss to Green Bay in 2010.) Seattle will be making its second East Coast trip in as many weeks from the upper left corner of the U.S. There’s a potential fatigue factor there.
• 3.) Mobile quarterback factor: The Falcons didn’t face Wilson this season. But they have played and beaten three noted mobile quarterbacks this year: Robert Griffin III, Cam Newton and Michael Vick (as well as Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Tony Romo, Phillip Rivers, Eli Manning and Matthew Stafford). So as impressive a season as Wilson has had, he doesn’t present a challenge the Falcons haven’t seen.
• 4.) Julio and Roddy factor: As effective as Seattle’s defense was against the Redskins, it’s worth noting Washington moved the ball effectively early, before Griffin became too beat up to run and function in the pocket. The Falcons’ primary receiving trio of Roddy White, Julio Jones and Tony Gonzalez still gives them an advantage that any defense is going to have difficulty dealing with.
• 5) Running game factor: This is Falcons’ biggest concern. Seattle can pound it with Marshawn Lynch (who rushed for 122 yards and a touchdown Sunday). Wilson gives the running game another dimension.If the Seahawks can run, they can control the clock and keep Matt Ryan and the offense on the sideline. The Falcons’ defense struggled against the run much of this season. They improved down the stretch, but then allowed 142 yards to Tampa Bay’s Doug Martin in the season finale. (We can debate how pumped the Falcons were for that meaningless game.) The Falcons’ own running game, meanwhile, has been ineffective for most of the season. They’ll need to get something from Michael Turner and Jacquizz Rodgers on the ground.
The Seahawks are good. But they look less daunting than the New York Giants or Green Bay Packers did the last two years.
By Jeff Schultz
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407 comments Add your comment
Funny
January 6th, 2013
9:38 pm
I am a Falcons fan, but you Homers amaze me! Seattle will run it down our throat! We can’t run the football and can’t stop the run. Teams that can do this win in the playoff! Just the facts. We lose by a TD or more.
seahawks-better-then-ur-team-lol
January 6th, 2013
9:38 pm
ya they are playin in a dome lol seattle will easily win this one lol live it up ur team beat a couple crappy teams so what u haven’t faced a team like ares we dont need to throw it often were a running team so dont look at the low stat and think its an advantage go ahead an take a look at ur run deffense and are rushing per game now thats an advantage lol live it up now talk ur baby bs about rg-hurtknee and if u think they got lucky well ur dumb cause rg3 isnt the only person on that 52 man roster hahaha cry ur self to sleep little baby bi**h
LOL at the Aints
January 6th, 2013
9:40 pm
Wow, I didnt know there were so many Seattle fans in NOLA,, LOL
Apostle
January 6th, 2013
9:41 pm
The Dirty Birds will fall again…as usual.If you can’t stop the running game in the playoffs you lose.
David Cloud
January 6th, 2013
9:42 pm
Go Falcons! And, AJC, watch the typos… “arse”
MarkATL
January 6th, 2013
9:47 pm
Wow.. are all of these haters really from Seattle, or are these people NOLA folks in Seahawks clothing? You NOLA fans are pathetic. Why don’t stop blogging on here you sore, jealous losers? LOL
Once Recent Reader
January 6th, 2013
9:48 pm
Nervous Bird! I totally concur with your nervousness. I think this is the best Atlanta Team – mostly because I like the new Defensive mentality and play . . .well in most games. Reminds me of a lot of the Patriots bend/don’t break D’s. Now those Pats D’s were later and they did not win the Super Bowl with them, but heck they came a minute away each time against the Giants. I’ll take that!! Davenpoop – haven’t seen you around! Glad to hear you have a “better feeling” this year . .for game 1 at least. JSS – I truly hope they can at least put one of their better games of the Season together for a Playoff. That would be a nice change and a BIG Monkey off the back!
seahawks-better-then-ur-team-lol
January 6th, 2013
9:51 pm
another win for the hawks im lookin forward to the championship round lol falcons are a bunch of losers lol i hope decloud keeps singin tho dudes funny
JSS
January 6th, 2013
9:52 pm
LOL…
I know you’re being your normal snarky self… I’ve been saying since Week 6 that if the Seahawks learned to play on the road, they’d be formidable… That chicken has come home, and it brought hungry friends…
David
January 6th, 2013
9:52 pm
No excuses. Just go do it.
Hawks Pose No Challenge
January 6th, 2013
9:53 pm
Don’t worry about the Seahawks. Their defense is overrated, their team is fatigued, they lack big play superstars, they are a band of mid to late round and undrafted FA misfits and have a rookie QB that’s too short to play in the NFL. This should be a rout!
No doubt the Falcons will continue their play-off success against this road weary and ‘west coast soft’ inferior opponent. Should the game even be played or should they save the jet fuel and forfeit?
Back 2 The Brown Paper Bags
January 6th, 2013
9:54 pm
anyone notice the seachickens are 0-3 in dome games this year ???? lost @detroit @st.louis @arizonia. hmm…………
Old Goober
January 6th, 2013
9:55 pm
The Atlanta Falcons have opened as 2.5-point favorites with the total set at 45.5 when they host the Seattle Seahawks in the divisional round of the playoffs next Sunday afternoon. Covers.com
Essentially, the bettors see this one as an even game, with the Falcons getting a slight nod because of home field advantage.
Hillbilly D
January 6th, 2013
9:56 pm
Just watched bits and pieces of the game but the parts I did see, looks like Seattle has a pretty good OL.
Barry
January 6th, 2013
9:57 pm
Hey Y ‘all:
Our Falcons just have to play FOCUSED, FAST, VICIOUS, AND FURIOUS, CONSISTANTLY, ALL QUARTERS, THESE NEXT TWO WEEKS TOWARD THE SUPER BOWL. Who are we to feel superior to any teamin the NFL. We had to fight to the last minutes of games to achieve the record we have now. We dominated no one on our current schedule. However, when we did focus and played nasty, we destroyed the likes of the Giants and the Redskins. If we do not bring the same fire as we brought to those teams, we will be “Going Fishing” after another playoff loss. I pray that will not be the case. I pray that our Falcon playersbwill not be on the streets partying in Atlanta during this playoff run at home and are studying their opponents, working hard, and being angry at teams in their way in their March to the Super Bowl. THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO PLAY. HIS IS THE TIME TO BE PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL PLAYERS AND A REAL PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM CAPABLE OF WINNING THE SUPER BOWL. IT IS TIME TO ” RISE UP!!” FALCONS. LET’S. DO THIS IN “ONE HEARTBEAT!!”.
LET’S GO FALCONS!!!: LET’S. DO THIS! !!!! LET’S DO THIS IN ” ONE HEARTBEAT!!!”
RISE UP FALCONS!!! RISE UP FALCON FANS!! “RISE UP!!” IN “ONE HEARTBEAT!!” THUMP!!!!
JSS
January 6th, 2013
9:58 pm
ORR…
Like I said, it is going to be a war… They (Seattle) fumble occasionally, but they turn other teams over and play fantastic in the red zone defensively… And if you cannot run the ball, they amp up pressure… That is a recipe for disaster… Lesser teams (Carolina and Tampa 1st game) have done more with less against the Falcons…
MarkATL
January 6th, 2013
9:59 pm
Come on haters!! Is that all you got?? LOL
J-425
January 6th, 2013
10:01 pm
Yes, I’m a homer at heart but the Seahawks will be prepared for anything the falcons can throw at them. We (Seattle) do not have 1 week aspect of our game. We too have beaten Brady & Romo. We have also beaten Newton, Rodgers, AD, Da Bears, and the “Greatest Team in the League” (via East Coast media) the 49ers. The falcons are a great team but they are in for one big eye-opening experience. No team is tougher or hotter than the Seahawks.
seahawks-better-then-ur-team-lol
January 6th, 2013
10:02 pm
you falcon fans know your scared keep runnin your mouth cause thats what scared ppl do when they know they are gonna get there there heads knocked off its alright tho,,, you guys did ur best ^_^ better luck next yr hahahahaha its not your teams fault you have to play seattle… i say we we win 30-17 ask 49ers if the hawks are weak or the packers… or the pats… or Chicago your dust in the wind already baby girl your living on borrowed time lol get used to facts kids were taking it this year and you all know it if you admit it or not
JSS
January 6th, 2013
10:04 pm
What Bags doesn’t say is that was Week 1, 4, and 8… What’s their record been since falling by 4 pts in Week 8?
Once Recent Reader
January 6th, 2013
10:04 pm
I hear you JSS. This Falcon Team did better than I expected, but boy were they hard to watch some of those games. They found ways to win and could turn it ON and OFF frequently in games. But we did have some pretty nice games . ..KC, San Diego, most of Denver, Philly, and NY Giants of course. They played pretty consistently in those games. I won’t mention the squeakers against what many thought were not very good teams:) Don’t want to see that Falcon squad!
Back 2 The Brown Paper Bags
January 6th, 2013
10:05 pm
you are the one runnin the big mouth ! go right ahead and try to turn it to your favor. thats all you got !
Once Recent Reader
January 6th, 2013
10:05 pm
Oops . . . .I slipped and wrote something I normally stay away from. “They” had some pretty nice games . . . not We. I’m not receiving a paycheck from Arthur Blank so I gotta watch my pronouns:)
jo
January 6th, 2013
10:06 pm
The seachickens lose today’s game if rg3 stayed a bit healthier. Seattle is not better than the redskins and we beat them. As long as the falcons dont play like they did against Tampa, they should win. This is not to disrespect the coffee boys but mediocre was how they played today…
Jordan77
January 6th, 2013
10:08 pm
Right now Snelling is the better RB to start over tippy toe turner. He fights for yards and makes positive yardage. Turner should have been cut after last year. We have better coaching over last year with the new coordinators. I see a close game Falcons 24 Seahawks 17.
1990_Champs_GT
January 6th, 2013
10:08 pm
Seahawks, Skins or Vikings… It really didn’t matter on Friday, and it doesn’t matter now.
They must beat whoever it put in front of them. If they win one, they won’t lose again.
If they lose one, they will lose the coach too.
DJANGO
January 6th, 2013
10:09 pm
A confident fan base doesn’t have to discredit the opponent.
sounds like a lot of nervousness.
JSS
January 6th, 2013
10:09 pm
@ Hillbilly…
They can run block for sure… Wilson covers up some pass blocking issues against pressure packages… They look worlds better than when Tavaris Jackson was playing back there…
Back 2 The Brown Paper Bags
January 6th, 2013
10:10 pm
@jss – dont matter. winless in domes…..
Marc60
January 6th, 2013
10:10 pm
Falcons fans sounding just a “little arrogant”. What have the Falcons ever accomplished?
Answer: Zilch
seahawks-better-then-ur-team-lol
January 6th, 2013
10:11 pm
lol were the best team in the playoff and everyone knows it we beat the most teams with winning records and we did it convincingly lol ^_– be ready to scream at your tv’s like cheerleaders being raped lol im already counting this game as a win for seattle im lookin passed these weak ass falcons believe it… you wana say we only beat redskins cause rg3 was hurt well theres more then him on that roster so try again you queefs
Back 2 The Brown Paper Bags
January 6th, 2013
10:13 pm
out of those dome losses, i wonder how many false start penalities there were…..
MarkATL
January 6th, 2013
10:13 pm
Seahawks would have lost if RG3 was playing at full strength. They caught a break when RG3’s leg gave out. Don’t expect Atlanta to play the same way Seahawks fans. Not to mention the Falcons will be playing at full strength. Don’t worry Seattle fans. There’s always next year. LOL
David Steinbrueck
January 6th, 2013
10:13 pm
Falcons flying on hotttttt air/ SEAHAWKS SOARING ON THEIR OWN THEMALS
LOL at the Aints
January 6th, 2013
10:14 pm
Fair enough JSS, we might get our A handed to us, I just dont see it, Weapons, we shall see,
btwarren
January 6th, 2013
10:14 pm
Falcons should win this game, if they execute properly. They must tackle, missed tackles have cost them big runs,which is why they statisticaly are not good against the run. With out these explosive runs they have otherwise faired pretty well. Hence the low scoring against average.
Falcons can not come up 1 yard short on 3rd downs or even 2 downs for that matter. Converting 1st downs on second and short is where they need to be. When falcons convert at high rate, they win. We see what happens when they don’t. Losses vs Tampa and at Panthers.
Must have the lead, if we are playing from behind late in the game, hawks will run Lynch all over us.
Must win turnover battle.
The Falcons must play the way they have all season, the only difference is that they must play with intensity which they have shown they can in all their big prime time games this year, Broncos on Monday night, Saints on Sunday night, big game against Giants. When the falcons don’t play with intensity they can get methodical at times. Having a great scheme is great, but sometimes you need to hit someone in the month and not let them back up. Make some big plays when necessary and WIN
jo
January 6th, 2013
10:15 pm
Amazed at seachicken fans talking smack here on this blog. I guess thesy didn’t see today’s game. The chickens are 50% real and 50% hype. The falcons actually won every “measurement” game this year. Granted they did lose when it didn’t matter much buti think a playoff game will matter. Falcons win 27-19.
Back 2 The Brown Paper Bags
January 6th, 2013
10:15 pm
what in the hell have the seachicken done ???? not a damn thing !!
Back 2 The Brown Paper Bags
January 6th, 2013
10:18 pm
and oh yeah, their little book end pass rusher may have a acl problem !
JSS
January 6th, 2013
10:18 pm
Bags, you lost 2 games in a Dome…
Joe 12-Pack
January 6th, 2013
10:20 pm
The only thing about the Seahawks that worries me is the Falcons taking them too lightly.
JSS
January 6th, 2013
10:20 pm
Save all that trash talking for those easily swayed by propaganda D3 bloggers…
Back 2 The Brown Paper Bags
January 6th, 2013
10:22 pm
we will see how handles dome noise the best. at least we are the home team……
seahawks-better-then-ur-team-lol
January 6th, 2013
10:23 pm
falcons can not stop the run lol and your defense is sh!t lol nuff said you lady’s r weak
JSS
January 6th, 2013
10:24 pm
Oh yeah at MCR (where ever you are)…
125.6 QBR and another playoff win plus 2 more TDs… Guess who?
Back 2 The Brown Paper Bags
January 6th, 2013
10:25 pm
who handles….
The Great Gazoo
January 6th, 2013
10:25 pm
Counting on Seattle to MAYBE be fatigued from a cross country plane flight? Or an”emotional” win that physically drained them? (really? no injuries against the Skins, Clemmons is playing next week) Grouping Wilson together with similar QB’s (laughable)! That is really grasping at straws.
Gonzalez is the only thing that will throw a wrinkle at the Seahawks.
This column is weak.
Falcons are going down!
E from Riverdale
January 6th, 2013
10:26 pm
Just hope the Falcons play discipline football and stay in their lanes. Defensive ends do not slice in.
The Great Gazoo
January 6th, 2013
10:28 pm
Jet lag?
I wonder if it occurs to anyone that the Seahawks might just move their travel day up one day?
JSS
January 6th, 2013
10:29 pm
“WTF IS A SEAHAWK ANYWAYS!(?)”
http://www.avianweb.com/ospreys.html