Any game is really a conglomerate of individual matchups, so I wanted to go over group vs. group matchups, or individual matchups if anyone wants to get into that. Any Falcons' fans that have input is always welcome.
Seattle OL vs. Atlanta DL: I think we own this match up. Our pass protection has been surprisingly good this year, and we kept a hobbled Wilson mostly clean against a top 3 DL in the Jets, with crowd noise. I don't see Atlanta's being better, or really giving any individual problems. We'll handle their edge rushers...Gilliam is better against quick small guys like Beasley; he has problems against larger power rushers. I'd like to think we can establish the run game, but I haven't seen evidence of dominance there on our part this year, even if Atlanta is bottom third of the league in this category as well. Advantage: Hawks.
Seattle DL vs. Atlanta OL: I don't see them running on us. I know they have good backs, and a decent OL, but I don't see them making their hay on the ground in this game. In looking at some stats, their RB's (especially Colemon) have been doing damage out of the backfield with receptions. I don't see us getting a ton of elite pressure on Ryan. We've struggled with it in the past, and he's good at getting the ball out quickly. He's not holding it and forcing it downfield. I see this as a draw here.
Atlanta RBs vs. Seattle LBers: This one is important, as it really is how they gashed Denver's defense. They literally took a few pages from NE's playbook as this was a very similar game plan to the one the Pats used in the AFCCG. Whoever is studying that can also look at our Super Bowl vs. the Patriots, and the Jets game last week. We've been giving up too much stuff underneath to RBs. That said, our LBers are very good in coverage and get to the ball very quickly, limiting YAC. I think our LBers match up well, but it's going to depend on the scheme. If Richard has them sagging back in a soft zone, they're going to make us pay for it. Advantage: Falcons (due to Richards propensity to go soft zone this year at bad times).
LOB vs. Atlanta WR corps: This one I don't know enough about. I like Shead and Lane vs. their #2 and #3 WRs (wasn't one of their top 3 guys hurt ?). I know Sherman has done well enough against Jones that he can follow him and limit his damage. it's going to be like Marshall.....he'll get his but Sherman limits the production and gets a INT or so. Atlanta chose not to challenge Denver's CB's and I think they might do the same with us. Add that to the weather and I'll give the advantage to the Hawks until I know more.
Seattle WRs vs. Atlanta DB's. This one is pretty simple. They don't have anyone that can cover Graham. I think if Trufant can lock down Baldwin (unlikely) we still have Lockett and Richardson, so we win in 3 wide easily. This depends on the weather, as Wilson hasn't had great games in the rain here lately. Advantage: Hawks.
Seattle OL vs. Atlanta DL: I think we own this match up. Our pass protection has been surprisingly good this year, and we kept a hobbled Wilson mostly clean against a top 3 DL in the Jets, with crowd noise. I don't see Atlanta's being better, or really giving any individual problems. We'll handle their edge rushers...Gilliam is better against quick small guys like Beasley; he has problems against larger power rushers. I'd like to think we can establish the run game, but I haven't seen evidence of dominance there on our part this year, even if Atlanta is bottom third of the league in this category as well. Advantage: Hawks.
Seattle DL vs. Atlanta OL: I don't see them running on us. I know they have good backs, and a decent OL, but I don't see them making their hay on the ground in this game. In looking at some stats, their RB's (especially Colemon) have been doing damage out of the backfield with receptions. I don't see us getting a ton of elite pressure on Ryan. We've struggled with it in the past, and he's good at getting the ball out quickly. He's not holding it and forcing it downfield. I see this as a draw here.
Atlanta RBs vs. Seattle LBers: This one is important, as it really is how they gashed Denver's defense. They literally took a few pages from NE's playbook as this was a very similar game plan to the one the Pats used in the AFCCG. Whoever is studying that can also look at our Super Bowl vs. the Patriots, and the Jets game last week. We've been giving up too much stuff underneath to RBs. That said, our LBers are very good in coverage and get to the ball very quickly, limiting YAC. I think our LBers match up well, but it's going to depend on the scheme. If Richard has them sagging back in a soft zone, they're going to make us pay for it. Advantage: Falcons (due to Richards propensity to go soft zone this year at bad times).
LOB vs. Atlanta WR corps: This one I don't know enough about. I like Shead and Lane vs. their #2 and #3 WRs (wasn't one of their top 3 guys hurt ?). I know Sherman has done well enough against Jones that he can follow him and limit his damage. it's going to be like Marshall.....he'll get his but Sherman limits the production and gets a INT or so. Atlanta chose not to challenge Denver's CB's and I think they might do the same with us. Add that to the weather and I'll give the advantage to the Hawks until I know more.
Seattle WRs vs. Atlanta DB's. This one is pretty simple. They don't have anyone that can cover Graham. I think if Trufant can lock down Baldwin (unlikely) we still have Lockett and Richardson, so we win in 3 wide easily. This depends on the weather, as Wilson hasn't had great games in the rain here lately. Advantage: Hawks.
