The Atlanta Falcons (0-2) will continue their west coast trip this Sunday taking on the Seattle Seahawks in Lumen Field at 4:25 PM EST. Both teams are coming off frustrating losses and will look to rebound this week.
TEAM PREVIEW
The Seahawks, coming off an abysmal 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, will look to forget last week’s game and try to build more on what they accomplished in Week 1, when they defeated the Denver Broncos 17-16.
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The Seahawks offense, led by veteran quarterback Geno Smith, has essentially been non-existent the entire season so far. They haven’t scored any points since the first half of their Week 1 game against the Broncos.
Geno Smith has serviceable so far, completing 81% for 392 with only two touchdowns with a rating of 99.1. Seattle’s backfield combo of Rashaad Penny and rookie Kenneth Walker has been the worst backfield in the league, averaging only 56 rushing yards per game.
Seattle’s defense doesn’t have many playmakers anywhere on the field after the loss of Jamal Adams, who underwent season ending surgery to repair his torn quad. As a unit, they’ve given up 514 passing yards and 292 rushing yards through the first two games. Their defensive line hasn’t been able to get much pressure, having only 4 sacks.
There have been a few bright spots for Seattle however. The talented receiver duo of DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett have collectively caught 23 passes for 206 yards. The offensive line hasn’t played terribly, only allowing three sacks so far. And linebacker Jordyn Brooks is having a very good season so far with 23 tackles.
The Atlanta Falcons coming off a near 28-3 comeback against the LA Rams, will look to finally put a complete game together and get in the win column for the first time this season.
The Falcons have fought hard through the first two games losing both games by a total of only five points.
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The Falcons have had several bright spots early in the season including rookie-receiver Drake London. He has been phenomenal so far, catching 13 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown.
Running Back Cordarrelle Patterson has probably been the 2nd most impactful offensive player, totaling 161 rushing yards with a touchdown.
Defensively, linebacker Mychal Walker has played great, totaling 17 tackles with a sack and interception. The defensive line has been able to create some pressure with five sacks after having just 18 all of last season.
There has also been a lot of bad for the Falcons this season. The defense, as a whole, has given up a total of 722 yards and 58 points, ranking 20th and 27th respectively in the NFL.
Offensively, Marcus Mariota has had back to back games where in clutch situations he hasn’t been able to deliver. In Week 1, he had a key fumble on the goalline which allowed the Saints to come back and win.
In Week 2 he threw a late interception that sealed the win for the Rams. Also Kyle Pitts hasn’t been involved in the offense at all, catching only four passes for 38 yards.
GAME PREVIEW
The Falcons come into the game as a one-point underdog against the Seattle Seahawks according to My Bookie.
Offensively, the Falcons should be able to move the ball well against this weak Seattle defense. Cordarrelle Patterson will look to have a bounceback game after only totaling 41 yards last week.
Seattle’s front seven is nowhere near the level of the Saints or Rams, so expect Patterson to have a solid game. Drake London should be able to continue his Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign as he will be matched up with Mike Jackson or Tariq Woolen most of the game.
The offensive line should be able to protect Mariota rather easily, as a unit they have been playing very solid, allowing only three sacks. Edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu has been Seattle’s only threat in the front seven so far, so an improving offensive line should be able to hold up and create time for Mariota.
Hopefully we will see Kyle Pitts be involved in the offense a lot more. In a press conference earlier this week Head Coach Arthur Smith stated “It’s not fantasy football, we’re trying to win games” in regards to why Pitts hasn’t had many touches.
While this is true, Atlanta drafted Pitts to be the focal point of the offense and with the ball in his hands he can make plays that can win you a game.
Defensively, A.J. Terrell and Casey Hayward will have their hands full for the third straight week as they’ll match up with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
Metcalf vs Terrell will be the matchup to look out for. Terrell, who has been a little disappointing this season so far, will look to silence the doubters against one of the NFL’s top young receivers in DK Metcalf.
The defensive line is facing the 27th ranked offensive line. Grady Jarrett and company should be able to put Geno Smith under pressure if they can clamp down on the short passing game and force him to throw down the field.
The linebacking core of Rashaan Evans, Mykal Walker, and hopefully Troy Andersen should be able to handle the run game that hasn’t been able to get going so far for the Seahawks.
For the Seahawks, Geno Smith will most likely be forced to throw the ball. Metcalf and Lockett will face tough matchups every play against Terrell and Hayward, they could try moving one of them to the slot to take advantage of the Falcons’ mediocre safety play.
Rashaad Penny and Kenneth Walker will look to finally get something going on the ground. They also could see a lot more work in the passing game this week as Geno Smith will most likely face a lot of pressure.
Defensively they will have their hands full as they will have to deal with Drake London, Cordarrelle Patterson, and hopefully Kyle Pitts all game. And with Seattle not having much talent on the defensive side of the ball, they could be in for a long day.
GAME PREDICTION
This is the week the Falcons will get their first win of the season. Mariota and the offense should be able to drive and put up points on this weak and undermanned Seattle defense.
Defensively the Falcons should be able to create pressure that could possibly lead to turnovers. Seattle backed by the 12th man fans, won’t go down without a fight but in the end, the Falcons should be able to pull away in this one
Score Prediction: Falcons 27 Seahawks 16
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