The Atlanta Falcons are taking on the Seattle Seahawks in their Week 14 NFC showdown at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Falcons are currently 4-8 and third in the NFC South, coming off a 27-24 loss to the New York Jets in Week 13. Meanwhile, the Seahawks are 9-3 and second in the NFC West following a 26-0 win against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 13.
Falcons Still Besieged by Injury Bug
The Falcons’ play has been inconsistent throughout the season, with injuries playing a significant role in their struggles. One of the most impactful injuries has been to starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who sustained a torn ACL in Week 11 against the Carolina Panthers in a 30-27 overtime loss.
On Sunday against Seattle, the Falcons will once again be without star wide receiver Drake London, who was on pace for his second consecutive 1,000-yard season before his current knee injury.
Defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus and safety DeMarcco Hellams have also been ruled out with groin and hamstring injuries, respectively. At the same time, standout edge rusher James Pearce Jr. is questionable for the game.
The Falcons will have their work cut out for them against a talented Seahawks squad, but these are the keys to a potential upset victory for the Atlanta Falcons this week.
Time of Possession
The Falcons’ offense needs to possess the ball longer than the Seahawks. Seattle’s offense has been on fire this season, with quarterback Sam Darnold playing at a high level and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba carving out a lane as one of the best wideouts in the NFL, as he’s been an advantage for the Seahawks.
If the Falcons can run the ball effectively with running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allegeier, then they can keep Seattle’s offense off the field.
Get to the Quarterback
The Falcons’ defense has an excellent front seven, and they’ll need to get after Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold if they want to have the best chance at a victory. They’ll need to apply pressure on Darnold, which may prompt him to throw the ball off his timing and disrupt the rhythm of the offense. Standout edge rusher James Pearce Jr.’s status for the game is uncertain, as he’s been listed as questionable, so that they may be short-handed. Edge rusher Jalon Walker and the defense as a whole will need to step up if that’s the case.
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Darnold has turned the ball over quite a bit this season, with 10 interceptions, and he’s also fumbled the ball seven times, losing five of them. He can get rattled under pressure and make throws that aren’t quality. PFSN has Darnold at an 82.0 Quarterback Impact Score.
Don’t Turn the Ball Over
Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins will need to protect the football, as you do not want to give a team like Seattle the ball back, especially when they are down in the game. Wide receivers Darnell Mooney and Drake London will increase their roles once more, with London ruled out for the contest.
Cousins has 683 passing yards and three touchdowns to only one interception in four games played, three of which were starts. The single interception was the result of a ball hit in the air during the receiver’s attempt to catch it. Cousins can get the job done, as he has proven that he can lead the team to victories, but he will need to be at his best to secure a victory.
PFSN has the Falcons shocking the NFC and defeating the Seattle Seahawks, 28-24, with the defense being a focal point in the win. The Falcons have had a lackluster season but they’ll surprise some people and show that they can still compete at a high level.
