Seahawks vs. Falcons: 4 questions with Atlanta expert
By Lee Vowell
The Seahawks play the Falcons on Monday night. Seattle is 6-3 and Atlanta is 5-4. But the Falcons have the feels that they should win. Here’s what Blogging Dirty’s Ikaika Hall thinks.
Seahawks versus Falcons. Feeling familiar, yes? Unfortunately, the Falcons have won most of the time lately. Will Monday night be different? Here is what Ikaika Hall of FanSided’s Falcons site, Blogging Dirty, has to say.
Falcons offense
12th Man Rising: The Falcons have not had the same offensive success as last season after Kyle Shanahan left. What is the biggest difference between this year and last? And can the offense get back to where it was in 2016?
Ikaika Hall: Losing offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan is the difference for the Atlanta Falcons offense. Shanahan was certainly not a perfect play caller, as evident by the second half of Super Bowl LI, but he learned how to utilize the Falcons offensive group well. Current Falcons coordinator Steve Sarkisian is still learning how to best utilize his players. It took Shanahan time and it will take Sarkisian some time as well. In Shanahan’s first year, the Falcons finished 8-8. Thus far this year, through nine games, Sarkisian and the Falcons offense have contributed to a 5-4 record. Difference here, I think Sarkisian will gain comfortability with his players quicker than Shanahan. And a result, the Falcons will make the playoffs in Sarkisian’s first year as coordinator.
The matchup
12th Man: Defensively, where does Atlanta matchup best against Seattle?
Hall: The Atlanta Falcons front four rotation is playing well, and only getting better. Last week, Falcons defensive lineman Adrian Clayborn finished the game with six sacks alone. I anticipate that this front four will put some pressure on the Seahawks offensive line, particular given that Seattle is dealing with multiple injuries. But the x-factor here will be Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. Wilson is elite when it comes to moving around in the pocket and buying extra time. He could void any generated Falcons pass rush with his elusiveness. If Russell has a good game, Seattle’s offensive line will win the matchup against the Falcons defensive front four by default.
Seahawks advantage
12th Man: On the flipside, what player or players should Falcons fans be most concerned about going against the Seahawks?
Hall: Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson is going to be Atlanta’s greatest challenge Monday night. The Falcons have had a bit of trouble containing mobile quarterbacks this season. On certain plays, the Falcons defenders have blown assignments and lost contain. Wilson has the ability to lead a defense into missing such assignments and his capability of doing so is concerning.
Who wins
12th Man: Who wins on Monday and why?
Related Story: Seahawks vs. Falcons: Prediction and how to watch
Hall: This is arguably the biggest statement game of the season for the Falcons thus far. A road win against a tough Seattle team could provide even more confidence for the Falcons players and fanbase as the team heads into the final stretch of the season. I say Atlanta begins to gel both on defense and offense greater than it has all season. The Falcons win 28-24.