Divisional Round Breakdown: Seahawks at Falcons

[Deus Irae]

The time draws near. I thought it might be nice for each matchup to have threads for the thoughts and wisdom of those on the board and elsewhere. So, have at it...

 

[Deus Irae]

Seahawks-Falcons: Eight notes to know - Stats & Info Blog - ESPN

 

[BHSL2]

I have no idea what to make of the Atlanta Falcons. I respect the progress they've made as a franchise, but you've got to wonder what Mr. Blank is thinking about his staff right now. Smith and Ryan quite simply have to get it done.

I find it difficult to even pinpoint what the Falcons excel at. Their receivers can be tough to contain I guess, and they love to control clock with Turner, who isn't as explosive as he is strong. Offensively, I feel they are front runners who just try to beat the opposition down with a momentum.

Defensively, their D-line is tough and energetic, but that's where it ends for me. They've got speed in the back seven, but they can be had.

I think Seattle can win this matchup, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the Falcons play this like a statement game either.

 

[OMGWTFJUDD]

For a team who managed to get a bye they don't get much attention.

The betting is close but a lot of people seem to think the Seamaggots are just going to wander in and take that game.

 

[PATS16N0]

I watch a lot of football during the season and I haven't seen a single Atlanta game. Would be interested to hear what their MO is.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

i will be at the game sunday with my TV hooked in my car so i can watch the 1 pm game..i think seattle wins

 

[borg]

The few games I saw, the secondary of Atlanta impressed. Looking at their stats, the DBs get picks and the D as a whole hold QBs to the 5th lowest QB rating.....pretty good for a team that played with the lead most of the season.
On O, Turner is an enigma to me. Using the eye test, he seems as if he is the slowest RB in the league and some games he disappears. But then he'll roll out a string of nice efforts. Go figure.
Seattle matches up well vs Atl in my opinion. Their big DBs will be able to stay physical vs Atlanta's freakish WRs. And even with Clemons gone, I think the Atl run game won't scare them too much. On O, Seattle has the ultimate weapon vs ball hawking DBs.....Russell Wilson's sick ability to shake free from pursuers giving his WRs extra time to shake free. And Lynch is the stud of studs as far as I'm concerned.
This game fascinates me on several levels....the veteran team vs the young guns.....the sheer numbers of legit talent on both sides.....can Atl get over the hump? I'm gettin that 2001 feeling with Seattle......
It may come down to coaching which begs the question to be answered....which coach do you have more faith in, Smith or Carrol. Lots of pressure on Smith considering the #1 ranking they own. It's their's to lose.....can he and his team handle that pressure? loosy goosy Pete is operating in his sweet spot.....nothing to lose so why not us mentality.

I'm still on this Seattle "wagon??" until it bounces me off.

 

[Sicilian]

I don't have a lot of data to back this up, but for some reason I think Atlanta has a great chance of coming out of the NFC. They're at home, and so much attention has been given to the other three NFC teams left, I'm just getting a vibe that they'll surprise everyone.

I'm gonna predict they win this game by 10+ points.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

I think this is the year the Falcons get over that hump. It's got to happen eventually.

I see Wilson having trouble in this game. Matty Ice is contained for the most part but they pull it off in the end. Great game

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Seahawks-Falcons: Eight notes to know - Stats & Info Blog - ESPN

Unfortunately that article just listed historical facts which I believe have little forecasting value. Don't know the 2012 Falcons well but it seems as if these are 2 very opposite type teams. Should be an interesting contrast of styles; looking fwd to the game.

 

[ForThoseAboutToRock]

Seahawks doing a lot of travel between trips to DC and Atlanta, unless someone can tell me they went straight from DC to ATL instead of going back up to SEA.

I also wonder if conditioning could be a factor in the dome's heat... see the 2006 AFC Championship :bricks:

 

[Deus Irae]

Here’s a look at how the Falcons run offense matches up against the Seahawks run defense.

Playoff matchup: Falcons run offense vs. Seahawks run defense | Atlanta Falcons

 

[Deus Irae]

Key matchup: Falcons WRs Julio Jones and Roddy White vs. Seahawks CBs Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman

ProFootballWeekly.com - Key matchup: Falcons WRs vs. Seahawks CBs

 

[Deus Irae]

Double Coverage: Seahawks at Falcons - NFL Nation Blog - ESPN

 

[Kontradiction]

The Seahawks are going to do a good job of taking away Julio Jones and Roddy White. Sherman should be able to blanket one of them one on one while the Seahawks will probably roll safety help over to the other. If the Falcons want to win this one, they need to build their gameplan around Gonzalez. Hit the soft part of their defense over the middle with quick throws to avoid the rush and stick with the running game. Eventually, the safeties will have to move up to help. That's when big play opportunities should be there with either Jones or White (or both).

 

[Deus Irae]

The Seahawks are going to do a good job of taking away Julio Jones and Roddy White. Sherman should be able to blanket one of them one on one while the Seahawks will probably roll safety help over to the other. If the Falcons want to win this one, they need to build their gameplan around Gonzalez. Hit the soft part of their defense over the middle with quick throws to avoid the rush and stick with the running game. Eventually, the safeties will have to move up to help. That's when big play opportunities should be there with either Jones or White (or both).

It should be an interesting matchup. I'm guessing here, but...

Sherman - Jones
Browner - White
Chancellor - Gonzalez
Thomas - CF roamer
Trufant - Douglas
LBs - Rodgers

If I were calling the plays for ATL, I'd be looking to start off by using Jones and White to clear out space, and then dumping the ball to Rodgers.

 

[Kontradiction]

It should be an interesting matchup. I'm guessing here, but...

Sherman - Jones
Browner - White
Chancellor - Gonzalez
Thomas - CF roamer
Trufant - Douglas
LBs - Rodgers

If I were calling the plays for ATL, I'd be looking to start off by using Jones and White to clear out space, and then dumping the ball to Rodgers.

That's what I was thinking. Only, instead of Rodgers, I was thinking Gonzalez. I don't know anyone in their LB corps that can contain him, even in his advanced age. Have Jones and White run deep routes (9-route, deep post, etc.) as decoys. They aren't going to be open but it frees up the middle of the field for Atlanta's RB's, TE, and slot receivers to get open.