I feel like a lot of Seattle fans are using early victories against Green Bay and New England as to why you will be able to stop a prolific Falcons offense. Claiming to have stopped better offenses. Keep in mind, Green Bay started the Season 2-2 and New England 3-3. Much like the Seahawks, they started slow and the strung off a mass amount of wins in a row.
Turner had almost 100 less carries this season, than last. Last season we had a non existent screen game in which our OC (current head coach of the 2-14 Jacksonville Jaguars) said publicly multiple times, we did not have the personal for a screen game. As if that isn't damaging in any way. The same personal this season leads the league in screen passes. The screen game is part of the running game excuse. It serves the EXACT same purpose as the running game. Keeps the D honest and forces more into the box. We don't just use Jaquizz Rodgers in the screen game. We use Rodgers and Snelling, and even Julio, Roddy and Turner. Yes, Turner.
Our offense has played some of the best passing defenses in the league and came out way over their season averages allowed. Hence, we won those games. I don't see the season average thing being any different.
I am also very interested in the Detroit and Miami games, in which most Seattle fans are claiming you just flat out laid eggs in the 4th quarter on the defensive side of the ball. I'm pretty sure the Bears fans can say the same thing in defense of your OT win vs them this season. However, what I see in both of these games is that you blanketed their best receivers. Calvin Johnson only having 50 yards and Hartline only having 17. What happened in these games? Well their other receivers, who are talented, but far less talented than Jones or White, and Douglas/Gonzales, went off. Titus Young and Davone Bess had career days putting up 100 and 129 yards. Pettigrew and Clay also had their best games of the season putting up 78 and 84 yards.
With Clemons out, and Atlanta putting pressure on his replacement (who I know has 8 sacks) by running to his side, and lead blocking him behind the play, I don't see your D getting much pressure on Ryan. If you start to get some, he will definitely have some creative screens called to negate some of the pressure. All the weapons we have, and the fact that I know Koetter is looking at the Detroit and Miami 4th quarters, I just see Atlanta having no problem moving the ball. Even against Arizona with the 5 interceptions, we moved the ball. At least 3 of those interceptions were tipped balls, not forced.
I see it being a hard fought game with Seattle getting their rushing yards with some scattered passing yards, and Atlanta getting their passing yards with some scattered rushing yards. I see Lynch breaking a few 20 yard runs, and probably a big gainer. However, I think it comes down to Browner and Julio, as well as Julio/Roddy/Harry/Tony across the middle against Trufont. I just don't see Seattle being able to stop everything, while I see Atlanta knowing that the run game is Seattles bread and butter, and forcing Wilson to beat them with his legs and arm. I see him making a few costly mistakes in an environment which can get pretty damn loud. I'd say top 5 in football in terms of home field advantage.
There's a lot of odds stacked against both teams, and this is by no means a given game for either team.
I just see it being a great game of match ups, and a fun one to watch. It's too early for me to confidently predict a score. But I do see Atlanta winning (I am a fan though.)
I appreciate all the non hostile football talk. It's a breath of fresh air from what we normally see.