The Falcons are going to need a lot to go their way if they hope to defeat one of the NFC’s best teams in the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
Atlanta has lost five straight, and trailed by double-digits at halftime in four of its seven games this season. Last week’s 37-10 loss to the Rams felt like rock bottom for this team. Running back Devonta Freeman was ejected for swinging on Aaron Donald and quarterback Matt Ryan hurt his ankle.
To have any chance against the Seahawks in Week 8, the Falcons need these four players to step up.
RT Kaleb McGary
The Seahawks may not have the sack numbers to show for it, but with Ezekiel Ansah and Jadeveon Clowney, they have two outstanding edge rushers. Rookie right tackle Kaleb McGary has been up and down this season. He will have to be very careful not to let his quarterback get exposed on Sunday. Matt Ryan is dinged up and if he can’t play, veteran Matt Schaub will need all the help he can get. McGary has shown impressive toughness, however, and will surely be up to the challenge.
WR Calvin Ridley
Ridley downplayed his role changing any after the Falcons traded away wide receiver Mohamed Sanu on Tuesday. Still, the trade was possible for a number of different reasons — one of them being Ridley’s upside as the team’s No. 2 receiver. With Sanu now in New England, we should see the second-year wideout get at least a few more looks per game going forward.
DE Takk McKinley
McKinley seems to be losing the faith of Falcons fans due to the team’s current sack drought. Prior to the season, many, including McKinley himself, were expecting big things in his third year. Dan Quinn’s defense all starts with pressure and it just hasn’t been good enough through the team’s first seven games. The trade rumors surrounding fellow defensive end Vic Beasley have only seemed to make the group play worse. McKinley needs a big game in the worst way against an elusive Russell Wilson for the Falcons to have a chance. He’s got seven QB hits and four tackles for a loss, but only 0.5 sacks in 2019.
FS Ricardo Allen
Allen was a lot better when he had Keanu Neal starting next to him at safety. To make matters worse, the Falcons could be without corner Desmond Trufant for a third-straight game. With so much youth on the back end of the defense, it’s hard for any free safety to play with confidence. Atlanta’s lack of a pass rush has made it that much harder for its injured secondary. Allen has a lot on his plate and will need to be at his absolute best for this unit to avoid getting burned by Russell Wilson, who’s having an MVP-worthy season in 2019.
