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
JSS
January 7th, 2013
2:44 pm
Who knew that I’d meet the guy who invented the internet on a Jeff Schultz blog? Before that, the guy who bypassed the whole R&B era of music too!!! Just outstanding!!! LOL (might as well end the lie like one of the best!)
SuperbowlFalcons
January 7th, 2013
2:51 pm
Please let R. Wilson block for Lynch against us Falcons. Please let him feel the pain of Moore, Robinson, Spoon, Abraham and company. Please let him run the read option down the middle or corner without sliding for his little 3 yards while SPOON, Moore, Decou, Samuel is lurking across the middle. Come back here Sunday and lets talk about the horrific hit Russell Wilson took at the hanks of the D-BLOCK. Better yet see ya at the game.
Thomas Brown
January 7th, 2013
2:54 pm
JSS January 7th, 2013 2:24 pm
“You folks are cowardly, you claim others are, but it was nothing but football”
SuperbowlFalcons
January 7th, 2013
2:55 pm
OOPS. I meant Hands of the D-Block
Jeff Schultz
January 7th, 2013
2:58 pm
The next person who brings in race gets banned.
There.
That ought to do it.
Atlfalconsfan0125
January 7th, 2013
3:17 pm
Anyone home?
JSS
January 7th, 2013
3:18 pm
“Weasel out?” Dude, you have NO idea what you’re talking about… This stretches back nearly 7 years ago in November of 2006 when people like Larry came on to the old comment system for web columns of Jeff Schultz, Terence Moore, and Steve Wyche’s daily with their bigot rants and yes “racial” comments regarding the former QB here… When confronted online, they ran to supposedly “cute” user-names referring to diseases or aliases…
As for the comment I made before I left for 3.5 weeks in Mexico in October to November, it remaiins “KMBB” and it remain that… And is has nothing to do with race or skin color… It has everything to do with a “big butt!” Like I said, Larry, being the malcontent that he has remained. He has a “Matt Ryan just has to win” chip on his should, and for 4 long years he’s suffered the ignominious “walk of shame” because the wonderboy couldn’t get it done!!!
Now, after his sodomy tirade of September 18, 2011, I took some advice from a columnist to heart… I told him to stir clear of me, I don’t seek him out… He acts like he forgot his tirade, he hasn’t and if he has, he needs to be getting some neurological tests instead of blogging… Now back after Week 3 in September 2012, he came out and has actively tried to instigate matters… I told him to go away, he said “no.” He’s made his bed. let him lay down in it, I’m just biding my time… He’ll melt down like he always does…
Your problem is getting to be just as silly… You keep edging in with that gravy-train commenting… Have an original thought, if you can’t do that, well shame on you…
Answer This
January 7th, 2013
3:20 pm
Why keep giving him chances Jeff? Just ban him now! Problem over! Does JSS have pictures or something?
JSS
January 7th, 2013
3:21 pm
@ Jeff Schultz…
You need to forward the post from 3:19 to Thomas Brown, he needs gets his fallacies straight! His needs to keep his nose out of stuff not of his concern…
Atlfalconsfan0125
January 7th, 2013
3:28 pm
The time that we all have been waiting for is here. And Ill tell you what, this is the easiest matchup from the previous 3. We dont have a HOF QB to worry about.
Failcons Destroyer
January 7th, 2013
3:33 pm
“” So as impressive a season as Wilson has had, he doesn’t present a challenge the Falcons haven’t seen.”"
Yes he does Jeff….If only for the simple fact that you admit, you haven’t faced him, yet…
He’s faster than all your LB’s and most of your DB’s.
He scored 3 rushing TD’s against the best D in football (Forty niner’s).
He has 26 regular season TD passes a tie with Peyton Manning for the rookie record.
So yes, he does bring to the table many things that ALL the other QB’s you mention didn’t bring, and then some.
Seahawks 27 …..Failcons 13….Go Seahawks !
Atlfalconsfan0125
January 7th, 2013
3:34 pm
@ JSS
Do you think the Seattle travelling across nation twice in as many weeks will have any effect on their performance? I think the better option would have been for them to camp out somewhere in the east coast (Carolina, maybe?)
Say what
January 7th, 2013
3:34 pm
Answer This, my thought exactly. I certainly would have by now.
Atlfalconsfan0125
January 7th, 2013
3:43 pm
Whats up with all the bickering on here usually? Its a football blog talk football and learn to deal with opposing views.
Bogus Bill
January 7th, 2013
4:19 pm
Why is beating Matthew Stafford considered significant? Everybody beats that “U”GA moron.
JSS
January 7th, 2013
4:45 pm
The West Coast teams have traveled East better than in the past… The 49ers stayed in Youngstown, OH between the Vikings and Jets games.. They split there, they came to NE and roughed up the Pats, but Seattle thumped on the back side… Kind of a double edged sword, Seattle is kinda different…
They lost that game in Miami, flew back to the West Coast, and then went to Chicago just had a war with the Bears (W), then destroyed the Cardinals, and flew back to Canada (including a run though Customs both ways) and crushed the Bills, went back to West coast and lit up the Niners… They seem to travel really well…
spencer
January 7th, 2013
4:57 pm
All I can say is this. As a rookie MR got schooled by possible HOFer Kurt Warner, then the last two years by elite QBs (Rodgers and Manning) with more experience than MR had — both in terms of NFL experience and big games. If he loses this one, to a rookie low-round QB, he will be branded forever as a guy who cannot win a big game under any circumstances. The opportunity doesn’t get any better, the stage no bigger; but the flip side is if he doesn’t get it done, where does that leave us for the future? Nowhere.
Mbird
January 7th, 2013
5:06 pm
RW1 will bird-up on the mighty ducks, er, falcons. Talk is cheap and your #1 status is about to be minced by Sea-town’s coffee grinder. So looking forward to the conversation next Monday. . . .
JSS
January 7th, 2013
5:22 pm
Rodgers only had one more playoff game than Ryan when they met in 2010… That was a non-factor… Warner hadn’t seen a playoff game in more than 7 years… The only one I give any props on was that beat down in the Meadowlands…
Ben
January 7th, 2013
5:57 pm
Seattle corners are good, but they will be tested by our WRs. They have WRs like Jones and White, and throe in Tony, it becomes a match up problem. Seattle will also have to find a answer for Harry as well. They won’t be able to play man to man on Jones and white for long, when the safeties has to help, that’s when they will be exposed.
Quiet
January 7th, 2013
5:59 pm
Look at Seattle’s defense and the double shot of running from Lynch and Wilson may shock a rested team. Just don’t throw away the win last week. Down 14 and coming back and shutting down DC after the first quarter was a big step in front of a hostile crowd. The skins defense after the first quarter did nothing to slow down Seattle.
Quiet
January 7th, 2013
6:07 pm
The rest of the NFL has questioned the DB’s of the Hawks all year. When one of their best went out on suspension another rookie took his place. 2 DB’s at 6′2″ or taller the height is underestimated by opposition offenses.
People are saying that the Hawk lost one of their best linemen. A rookie was drafted to be on the line and came in and did very well as a replacement yesterday. This a young team that is easily underestimated.
Bleed red
January 7th, 2013
6:21 pm
6.2 just ant enough we bigger and faster the SEA TRASH WILL STINK IT UP THIS WEEK END
Bleed red
January 7th, 2013
6:24 pm
You can’t say one good thing about your LBs terrible terrible in pass coverage Tony G has a big day
Kay
January 7th, 2013
6:26 pm
From the 5 factors Schultz put I come up with a net score of just 0; positives come from playing at home and the WR’s. The others are either negatives or pushes at best. I wouldn’t put it past Mike Smith to pull a 180 from years past and beat up the team just practicing.. I’ve watched this team all year and there are only a few ways they can win this game. The first is that the defense gets 2+ turnovers in good field positions and we can miraculously run the ball. The second is that Matt Ryan puts in a true All-Pro performance and doesn’t turn the ball over while passing 40+ times.
I don’t expect anything from the defense, except desperate blitzes that lead to huge gains, 150+ rushing yards given up in total, weak pass rush(???% abe), receivers running free on crossing routes, and possibly getting burnt on a double move. They could get a turnover but even if we do get a lead early we can’t protect it because we can’t run the ball or pressure qb’s consistently.
This will come down to the Falcons’ passing offense and specifically Matt Ryan. If he gets rattled early in the game look for it to get ugly, as the falcons will not run the ball. Don’t look for them to be smart like the other playoff teams and commit to running throughout the game. Seattle’s defensive game plan will focus on hitting ryan (target Konz) and sitting on julio and roddy’s go to routes. They’ll have some one on one opportunities, but this one of the best secondaries they’ll see. The NFC West is a physical division and we fared poorly against Arizona’s defense, so that can’t be underestimated. This game we will really see how good our passing game really is. If it’s truly elite we have a decent chance, if not slim to none.
We also have injury concerns, but you won’t hear anything but the corporate line from FeedBetter. Maybe you’ll find out next year so and so has a torn muscle; while currently you can boo him for playing poorly. Well that sure helps the team doesn’t it…
amused in seattle
January 7th, 2013
6:45 pm
The most imortant numbers I see are 0-3 in the playoffs. About to be 0-4. Too much pressure
JSS
January 7th, 2013
6:46 pm
But you can great things about their safeties, ask Vernon Davis
jamillione
January 7th, 2013
6:49 pm
i look at this game as what it’s worth. the falcons are a diva team …meaning they show up when the lights are on so they can shine.
week 1 the talk was about kc being a playoff team and much improved= falcons in a route,
week 2 the chargers are gonna run away with the afc west=falcons route,
week 3 denver is a superbowl contender= falcons pick off peyton like four times n whoopass
mike vick gone get the eagles back on top of the nfc east= scored on our first five possesions
rg3 going to give the falcons all they can handle= falcons win
dallas can tie for first= dallas gets crunched
the bucs are hot=falcons crushed their heat
the saints are back in the playoff hunt pick off brees 5 times
the giants are the team to beat = a arse whooping
now the seahawks are the hottest team in the league=coons in a route
Buddy Landel
January 7th, 2013
6:54 pm
spencer- Matt Ryan doesn’t face quarterbacks. He faces defenses.
Iced Vein Wilson
January 7th, 2013
8:29 pm
did u see the Falcons on this page ? http://www.nfl.com/stats/team
Get ready for the fifth straight post-season loss!
ColdHardFacts
January 7th, 2013
8:39 pm
1) Since Week 8, Seattle is 8-1 and Atlanta is 6-3
2) Seattle has the best Strength of Victory in the NFL while Atlanta had the easiest Schedule
3) Russell Wilson has more playoff victories than Matt Ryan
That said this game should be pretty awesome. Both teams match up so well. The outcome of this game will still be undecided by the two minute warning in the 4th quarter. For those calling for an Atlanta blowout, Seattle has the best scoring defense in the NFL and all of their losses this season were within one score. It will be a close one.
Things to watch:
Seattle’s front four. Their ability to pressure Matt Ryan will be the most important matchup. If they give Ryan too much time to throw, not even the Seattle secondary will be able to continually keep up with the WR weapons of Atlanta. With Chris Clemons out, Bruce Irvin will get the start at DE. It will be interesting to see if he can last a whole game without getting fatigued as he has only been a situational pass rusher all season. Also, Clemons was much better against the run than Irvin so look for Altanta to run more, especially in the second half, to test Irvin’s endurance and ability to stop the run.
Harry Douglas and Tony Gonzalez. While Seattle is known for a strong secondary, their Nickle D has been soft in the middle of the field. Drag routes and slants from the slot have been used with a lot of success against CB Marcus Trufant. Also, skilled TEs have had success against Seattle’s Linebackers, especially in the Red Zone. Look for Atlanta to exploit this despite the weapons they have available on the outside.
Seattle’s Pass Protection. Rookie JR Sweezy hasn’t been great in pass protection this season and it has shown in the last two games in which he has gotten the start. Wilson has been sacked 11 times in those games. With Atlanta’s ability to dial up crazy blitz packages- like the kind that caused Peyton Manning to throw three picks in a quarter- look for Seattle to struggle early in pass protection. If Seattle can establish the run early then they can use play action to help neutralize the blitz.
Atlanta’s run Defense. They are the 21st ranked run defense and allow nearly 5 yards per carry. They’ve also given up 16 touchdownson the ground. Seattle has found success with the read option. While Atlanta has experience against it based on the quarterbacks they’ve faced, they gave up over 100rush yards to Cam Newton ina game this season. Look for Seattle to run early and often and use the play action to counter Atlanta’s pass rush. I expect the Falcons to use schemes to try and disguise their coverages so they don’t have to line up to sell out the run. Matt Ryan and company could help out by putting up lots of points and try to force Seattleto abandon the run in order to catch up.
Can’t wait for Sunday, this will be a great game!
Failcons Destroyer
January 7th, 2013
9:24 pm
++You can’t say one good thing about your LBs terrible terrible in pass coverage Tony G has a big day++
@ Bleed Red,
Tony G is too old and too slow to have a “big” anything against the Seahawk D.
jdubnptown
January 7th, 2013
9:36 pm
The Falcons can’t stop the run. Marshawn and Russell should be able to keep moving the chains and control the clock. Falcons passing attack is impressive and few teams have slowed it down. Matchup wise however, if anyone has a chance it’s Seattle with their big physical corners (that will throw off timing patterns) as they press at the line. Also with safety Earl Thomas floating around with great speed to help break up the long ball. Game should be really close an exciting. Prediction: Seattle 31 Atlanta 27. (Credit Atlanta’s offense…Seattle has given up 25 points or more in a game only once this season)
Answer This
January 7th, 2013
10:10 pm
I guess that hollow threat did nothing to JSS. As soon as Schultz post he mentions what you asked him to not talk about in the post immediately after you gave the warning! Wow go figure!
Belgaron
January 7th, 2013
11:28 pm
Seattle fan here just to school you a bit on your update. Las Vegas point spreads are not about who is expected to win or lose, they are about evening the action between the options. So making them 2 point favorites means they expected more action on the Seattle side so they are trying to even it out by dropping a point off the usual 3 points a home team gets when otherwise they are comparable. It really means nothing about who they expect to win, it’s just about where they expect people to place their bets.
When it comes to the game, Seattle has essentially faced a comparable team twice in the St. Louis Rams albeit not quite as disciplined as the Falcons but improving. The home field and the early east coast kickoff will help Atlanta but Seattle is capable of scoring a touchdown on any drive and it has a very good defense that does not give up many points. Seahawks were only a couple touchdowns away from being 13-3 themselves, and if Wilson had started the season playing as well as he’s playing right now, they would have done just that.
JSS
January 7th, 2013
11:37 pm
Answer This
January 7th, 2013
10:10 pm
“I guess that hollow threat did nothing to JSS. As soon as Schultz post he mentions what you asked him to not talk about in the post immediately after you gave the warning! Wow go figure!”
Ask Jeff Schultz, he reviewed and released it… Maybe he knows the background and knows the difference between “baiting” and answering lies…And he wasn’t giving me the warning, I know the score… Take your blinders off…
Buck Foston
January 8th, 2013
12:55 am
Hawks didn’t play all that well and won by 10 points. they were a fumble and an overthrow away from a 24 point win.
Falc1
January 8th, 2013
1:45 am
without clemons, seattle will not be able to stop the ATL offense! Ryan will light it up for big points—ATL rolls 30-17!! next week, ATL upsets san francisco for the nfc title!!
Answer This
January 8th, 2013
10:51 am
And get your nose out his A$$, its brown enough!
Answer This
January 8th, 2013
10:52 am
And if you took the “BAIT” you are a bigger fool than you continue to show on here! Like I said you got pictures or something. rules are different for you!
Chad
January 8th, 2013
1:54 pm
I would agree with some of the posts on here, but really “lucky” that RGIII was hurt? I agree that with him not being able to run helped but let’s give credit where credit is due. Seattle lost it’s best pass rusher and I didn’t see Washington start to dominate on the offensive side of the ball with Albert Morris, Pierre Garcon was pedestrian after the first quarter. Now on to Atlanta, I agree a much more accomplished QB running the show and a HOF TE and 2 excellent receivers, but runningback is an issue and the Hawks DB’s have been shutting people down and don’t forget when Jones and White are getting shut down and you try to go over the middle you have 2 of the hardest hitting defenders in the game in Cam Chancellor and Earl Thomas, and don’t forget Earl Thomas’ speed probably the fastest guy on the field at any given time. I will stop short of making any predictions for this game as I don’t want to jinx the Seahawks but those of you that think Atlanta will win by more than 3 points had better go back and study their opponet for this week. I am sure that there is no one even on the Falcons that would predict some of the lopsided scores that people on this post are predicting. Let’s Bring it On!!! Go Seahawks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kennyd
January 8th, 2013
3:23 pm
This is it ! It’s time for the Falcons to RISE UP and earn the respect …………….. Go Falcons !!!!!!
dooney
January 8th, 2013
3:32 pm
Lets quiit going back and forward about this .The Falcons will do what they always do get everybody hopes up and let them down.Its teams like the Seahawks that will come in here and blow Atlanta off ther field .Stop Turner aleast twice keep a eye on that hall fame tight end with no superbowls and you beat the falocons all the time. Rodey and Jones will not step up because the Seahawks will have so much presure on Matt he will fall apart.Remener this comment because it will go down in history.
Josh
January 8th, 2013
3:40 pm
The Seahawks secondary will push Atlanta’s WR’s around the field. Gonzales will have to have a big day in order to beat the hawks.
Go Hawks!
Ed
January 8th, 2013
4:17 pm
Hey Jeff what happened to your prediction of the Hawks: But sorry. I’m not buying in. The Seahawks (3-5 on road) will be a one-and-done wild card.
Read more here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/12/25/2414278/jeff-schultz-nfl-playoffs-about.html#storylink=cpy
dawgbone
January 8th, 2013
4:18 pm
Mike Turner runs for over 100 yards, the Birds win….MT has to let his heart move his feet! Rise up!
Narddog
January 8th, 2013
5:48 pm
Secondary Seatle
Linebackers Seattle
D-LIne Even
QB Even
WR/TE Atlanta
RB Seattle
Special Even
Coaching Seattle
Michael
January 8th, 2013
10:55 pm
Keep telling yourself that Atlanta fans! Found this Atlanta site on purpose! Hawks are going to absolutely dismantle the Falcons. Jones and White are going no where against 2 CB’s that are just as tall and just as fast and loads stronger than them. Your running game is horrendous, OL is DECENT at best, your pass rush is nothing to write home about, I do like the secondary but we won’t be passing much since it would be very unwise for us to get into a shoot out with you guys. Lynch rumbles for 135, 2 TDs while Wilson tosses 2 more. Ryan tosses 2 picks and 2 touchdowns, Rodgers gets another TD on one of those stupid wheel routes you guys run. Although, I like Rodgers, hes a weapon. Atlanta falls once more. Seattle 28-24 Atlanta. Hawks Swoop the Falcons!
Brad
January 9th, 2013
6:24 am
The Seahawks seem to be on a mission. They should have beaten the Redskins by another two touchdowns. They played a lousy game on the road and still won easily. Look out Falcons, theirs a new bird in town.
Seahawk99
January 9th, 2013
7:59 am
Go Hawks. You can’t score if you don’t have the ball. Beast Mode all day long. I challenge the Falcons to slow down the Beast. Our defense is nothing the Falcons have faced all year, we will bust you in the mouth.