Falcons Pass First Test
You can finally get rid of all reservations and doubt in the Falcons ability to show up for the Playoffs.
Saturday's NFC Divisional game might've been one of the best playoff performances in Falcons franchise history. From the lethal offense to the surprising defense, this could be one of the most complete teams that the Falcons have ever sent to the NFC Championship.
The difference in this defense from weeks 1-10 and 11-16 is outstanding. FOX put up some graphics during the telecast that tells the story of just how much the young defense has grown up:
11 total takeaways in weeks 1-10 / 11 takeaways between weeks 11-17
Opponent Passer Rating in weeks 1-10: 100.79 / Opponent Passer Rating Weeks 11-17: 77.8
Passes Defensed weeks 1-10: 41 / Passes Defensed weeks 11-17: 46
Opponents PPG weeks 1-10: 28.3 / Opponents PPG weeks 11-17: 20.5
As the AJC's Jeff Schultz pointed out in his pregame column, the opponents in those weeks were not against playoff teams and the offenses didn't rank in the top half of the league. But balling out against those offenses meant more than just numbers - it gave the defense an attitude adjustment.
The Falcons were able to attack Seattle's weak offensive line and force Russell Wilson into bad decisions, that are uncharacteristic for the former Super Bowl winning quarterback. Wilson never got comfortable after the first drive and the defenses' ability to fly to the football made sure the Seahawks would not pose a threatening comeback.
The Falcons pressured the pocket, but they also bottled up Seattle's run game, which went for over 150 yards last week against the Lions. Time of possession was the recipe Seattle used to beat the Lions, and in the first quarter they tried establishing it again.
After that first drive that Seattle put in the end zone, the Falcons defense settled in and held the Seahawks to a field goal, safety and punt the rest of the first half.
In the second half, Seattle's deficit forced them to ditch the run, which allowed the Falcons to pin their ears back and dial up the pressure on Wilson. While "DangeRuss" Wilson can kill you with his feet, the Falcons speed marginalized his ability and forced him into bad throws that turned into interceptions.
The Falcons didn't only hit Seattle in the mouth on the defensive side of the ball, they also lowered the boom on offense. Atlanta did what they've done all season with using routes and run designs to outmaneuver the defense. Quinn used his knowledge from coaching Seattle's defense to exploit their weaknesses with the Falcons offense. With open receivers all over the field and an effective run game, Matt Ryan torched the defense all afternoon.
Even when Seattle's pass rush got in Ryan's grill, he stood in the pocket and delivered dimes on crossing patterns, comeback routes, slants over the middle and fades in the corner. Ryan looked like the MVP of the league yesterday and regardless if the NFC Championship is back in the Dome or in Jerry's World, the Packers or Cowboys will tasked with the toughest task in football: trying to slow down Matt Ryan and the Falcons offense.