Been watching the coaches view on Atlanta

[MontanaHawk05]

Because Atlanta has an offense similar in lots of ways to Detroit, who had little trouble passing on us. Am I being alarmist? Probably. I certainly hope Seattle's physicality leads to turnovers and a much lower score. But the simple fact is that Stafford was patient and took what Seattle gave, and that led to 28 points (a score near 30, or am I mistaken?)

Stafford had one hell of a game. It takes a ton of accuracy and discipline to repeatedly dink-and-dunk down the field, and Stafford hasn't looked as good against any other 2012 opponent as he did against the Seahawks. As you well know, this is why "keeping plays in front of them" is a recommended strategy for defenses to STOP good QB's. Even Tom Brady eventually threw a "screw it" pick against our defense, and paid for it. Sherman's lockdown coverage can tax even the best quarterback's patience.

I agree we'll see more of Malcolm Smith than Leroy Hill in this game. Against Washington and RG3, Leroy's run-stuffing experience and play-reading was what you wanted on the field. In this game, Seattle wants to blitz and doesn't need to be panicked about the edge (also favors Red and Irvin). This is a game in which Seattle needs to look different on defense than they have all year, and we have the talent to do it.

My biggest hangup is that while Seattle is top of the league against #1 receivers, they haven't played a game all year in which they've had to defend two of them. We know what Trufant is in coverage, and we know from the Chicago game what Brandon Browner is in coverage against a #1 receiver (he becomes Michael Boulware). There's a reason Atlanta is the #1 seed. White, Jones, and Gonzalez give that offense so many cheap yards it's not even funny.

We're going to have to win this game the same way we did the Patriots game - cut our losses on defense, outshoot them on offense.

 

[RichNhansom]

If Matty has as much time as Stafford did they will score 30. Hopefully Mebane and Branch can get some push into the middle of that oline that is not to dominant in their middle. If we can get some push to collapse the pocket, I like our chances of Bruce creating havoc and possible strip sacks. I also believe we will see more blitz's than we have sen recently to help compensate for the loss of Clem. Ultimately we need to get pressure on Matty or have the best offensive performance we have seen or a few weeks.

 

[Sarlacc83]

Great write up, Scotte. If we're going to blitz, they'd better work and fast as Ryan will start looking for the exposed middle.

 

[sam1313]

Nice Scotte. Really well done, and super informative. Thanks!

 

[RichNhansom]

Oh yeah I forgot to comment on your article. Great write up. Thanks for taking the time, I enjoyed reading it.

 

[seahawksfan4ever]

I hope we learned from the Detroit game and see a different outcome...and Coach, no fake punts, please. :141847_bnono:

 

[zayden185]

From a Falcon fan, great post scottemojo. The A gap scares me the most. But I am expecting to see lots of screens and three step drops. I also would not be surprised to see more than a few runs directed at Irvin.

As for the Seahawks, I am expecting them to run, run, and run some more. Then look for big plays once the defense creeps up.

All of the fans will be in for a great game regardless.

They don't run we'll. expect jaquizz out of backfield a lot to slow rush. Herm said gonna be lots of second and tens. Also said we tackle well and that will negate some of Rodgers...I feel anyway. He makes peoe miss and we don't do that much. Solid tackling in a league of it disappearing really

 

[RichNhansom]

What is the odds we see alot of bandit packages this week? Seems like a perfect time to break it out again.

 

[falcongoggles]

Something very few people have posted is how messy our team plays on the road. Silly penalties, uncharacteristic turnovers, etc. Trufant + messy football against a team like Atlanta is a nightmare. I'm really hoping the coaches scheme the hell out of this game and prove to be the better crew. However, after hearing about all the great stuff about Atlanta's coach and watching ours get owned by Jeff Fischer twice, I would definitely not take a bet that we have the better coaches.

 

[RichNhansom]

Of course you wouldn't but then your user name does start with Falcon. :sarcasm_off:

 

[falcongoggles]

Of course you wouldn't but then your user name does start with Falcon. :sarcasm_off:

Yes, I went to the Air Force Academy where the mascot is a falcon and fly the F-16 "fighting falcon," but you're right, I'm secretly a falcons fan and thus chose this screename last year for that very reason. :sarcasm_off: :thirishdrinkers:

 

[HawkAroundTheClock]

Great work, Scott! And some great insights by many others. I too hope we get that push in the middle allowing the fast & hungry Bruuuuuce to feed on the edge.

My gut tells me we'll see the dreaded c-word (conservative) on defense, which will stymie big gains and deep scores (good), but will keep us yanking our hair out while ATL moves the chains (not good, but okay if we get a stop now and then or hold to FGs). Either that, or we'll start with one or two exotic defensive setups to plant a little seed of uncertainty, then get into our base and make them earn it with lots of short, quick throws. That's just total speculation and musing.

The undeniable truth is that our Seahawks are going to have to play flawless football for the next 3 games. :th2thumbs:

 

[BlueTalons]

Something very few people have posted is how messy our team plays on the road. Silly penalties, uncharacteristic turnovers, etc. Trufant + messy football against a team like Atlanta is a nightmare.

The Hawks had only 4 penalties for 30 yards and 15 of those were on Irvin that was enforced on a kickoff that resulted in a touchback. So I would say that was a pretty good penalty free game.

 

[sutz]

What is the odds we see alot of bandit packages this week? Seems like a perfect time to break it out again.

I agree. Put more DBs out there. They can double team WRs and TEs, or they can blitz from odd angles.

This actually sounds like a great idea to me.