Ahead of the Week 8 matchup between Seattle and Atlanta, Falcons Wire managing editor Matt Urben answered three questions for Seahawks fans.
1) Seattle is off to its best road start in decades. With a win in Atlanta, the Seahawks would be 4-0 for the first time since 1980 to tie a franchise record. What can Atlanta do to break the streak?
Up to this point, the Falcons’ biggest problem has been getting
off to slow starts. They’ve trailed by at least two scores at the half
in four of their first seven games. It could easily be a fifth if they
can’t slow down Russell Wilson and Chris Carson early. Atlanta needs to come out aggressive by throwing to set up the run. Converting on third downs to keep the game close will be key as well. If the team can do that and avoid another early deficit, it has a chance to end Seattle’s road winning streak.
2) Pete Carroll and Dan Quinn are more than familiar with each other’s game-planning and style of play. How can Quinn use his experience in Seattle to put a stop to Russell Wilson and the Seahawks offense?
Quinn has beaten Carroll twice in a row and won two of the three head-to-head matchups since taking over as Falcons head coach in 2015. In those previous two Atlanta victories, Russell Wilson threw three interceptions combined. Quinn understands what Carroll likes to do offensively, however, without Keanu Neal and Desmond Trufant in the secondary, it’ll be tough to slow down Wilson, who’s playing at an MVP level.
3) Quarterback Matt Ryan and wide receiver Julio Jones present a real problem for Seattle’s defenders. Will the duo try to exploit the Seahawks’ banged-up secondary and lackluster defensive line?
If there’s one area the Seahawks can be exposed, it’s that 19th-ranked secondary. Unfortunately for the Falcons, they may be without Ryan in this game after he suffered what’s believed to be a high ankle sprain in last week’s loss to the Rams. If Ryan can’t go, it’ll be 38-year-old Matt Schaub out there on Sunday. While that’s certainly not ideal for Atlanta, Schaub was 6-for-6 for 65 yards and the threw the team’s only touchdown in Week 7. Without Ryan, though, it’s hard to imagine the Falcons offense giving Seattle too much trouble.
