Key Matchups for Divisional Weekend - Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons - everydaygorship's Blog

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Key Matchups for Divisional Weekend - Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons

Posted on January 12, 2013 at 10:52 AM.

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SEA - Pass Defense Vs. ATL - Pass Defense - These defenses rank #1 Seattle and #3 Atlanta, only allowing 14 & 15 pass TD's respectively. At home the Falcons opponents have averaged 227 yards through the air, and not even 1 TD a game with only 6 all season. While Seattle's D has done even better with a road average of 211 yards passing, and only 1.25 TD's with 10 all season.
ATL - Rushing Defense Vs. SEA - Rushing game - This could be where Seattle has it's most success on offense, with Marshawn "Beast Mode" Lynch who is not getting as many touches on the road, but is still averaging over 5 yards a carry, and last week at Washington had a 6.6 yard average. Atlanta's rushing defense is allowing an average of 126 rushing yards at home, and 1 TD. 34 year old veteran Defensive lineman John Abraham does have 6 forced fumbles though.
SEA - RE Bruce Irvin Vs. ATL - OT's Tyson Clabo & Sam Baker - Seattle had a significant injury themselves last week at Washington, with pass rusher Chris Clemons going down with a knee injury. While some may have scoffed at Pete Carol and co. drafting Irvin 15th overall in 2012, but now he is need more than ever. Atlanta's offensive tackles are capable of going 1 on 1 with Irvin, and I expect we will see more of Tyson Clabo against Irvin on the left side. Irvin is a liability in the run defense, and will have to stand his ground if he wants to stay on the field.
ATL - QB Matt Ryan Vs. SEA - QB Russell Wilson - So we have the 5th year Ryan looking for that elusive 1st playoff victory, and the rookie who is looking for his 2nd playoffs road victory. Last year Ryan and the Falcons lost on the road to eventual champion NY Giants in a 24 - 2 embarrassment, this time Matty Ice is rolling into the playoffs not having thrown an INT since week 13 in a loss to Carolina. As for Russell Wilson, well he is coming off a 15 / 26 - 187 yds - 1 TD victory in Washington. This rook continues to impress, and another road victory over the #1 seed in the NFC will warrant a #ALLRUSSELLWILSONEVERYTHING.
SEA - K Ryan Longwell Vs. ATL - K Matt Bryant - With Steven Hauschka falling victim to a calf injury in last weeks win over Washington, the Seahawks picked up veteran kicker Ryan Longwell who has been out of the league for 2 years. Atlanta's Matt Bryant is 21 of 24 at home, and 4 for 4 from 50+ this season.