Seahawks vs. Falcons: Inside the numbers
By Lee Vowell
The Seahawks play the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football this week. Atlanta has had as much success as anyone against Seattle over the last five seasons. Here is how the numbers look for this matchup.
The Seahawks offense has been extremely inconsistent in 2017. But so has Atlanta’s. For a team that averaged 33 points a game last year, the Falcons average just 21.9 this season, 15th in the NFL. In comparison, Seattle is 11th in offensive scoring.
Here are a few more stats that might tell who is going to win this week.
Defensive points allowed per game
Seattle: 18.3 (fifth in the league)
Atlanta: 19.9 (tenth)
Of course, the biggest difference between Seattle now and prior to last week is the Seahawks will not have Richard Sherman. Or possibly even Kam Chancellor. Seattle has not played a game without Sherman in 2,500 days.
Third down percentage – defense
Seattle: 36 percent (tenth)
Atlanta: 39 (14th)
For all the issues Seattle seems to have had at times on third down, they still are much better than a lot of teams. But the Falcons are not far off. Simple fact is, if Seattle wins on Monday it will be because they picked up more third downs than Atlanta. This would mean they keep their defense off the field.
Sacks
Seattle: 25 (tenth)
Atlanta: 26 (seventh)
The thing to remember here is that before the Falcons-Dallas Cowboys game, Atlanta only had 18 sacks. The Falcons had eight against Dallas.
Turnovers
Seattle: +6 (sixth)
Atlanta: -3 (22nd)
Here is where Seattle may have their best chance to win on Monday: Get the Falcons to turn the ball over and give the Seahawks good field position. Again, Seattle is without Sherman. But the Seahawks can generate a good pass rush good things will still happen. Matt Ryan has already thrown one more interception this season than he did all of 2016.
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Finally, Russell Wilson is currently second in the NFL in passing yards. Whoever thought that would happen nine games in to a season?