SB Nation Atlanta - Falcons Win 34-18 In Seattle, And Now It's Saints Weekhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46601/atlanta-fave.png2010-12-19T19:50:55-05:00http://atlanta.sbnation.com/rss/stream/16371102010-12-19T19:50:55-05:002010-12-19T19:50:55-05:00Falcons Vs. Seahawks Final Score: Atlanta Now One Win Away From Clinching Home Field Advantage
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> improved to 12-2 and maintained their hold on the NFC’s No. 1 spot, burying the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> 34-18. Seattle scored first, on a Falconesque 12-play drive, but the Falcons wound up running 17 more offensive plays than Seattle, dominating time of possession by ten minutes.</p>
<p>Matt Ryan overcame early jitters to go 20-of-35 for 174 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception, but <span>Michael Turner</span> defined the Falcons offense today. With 25 carries for 82 yards, Turner went over 20 carries for the fifth game in a row. If the Falcons can clinch home field next week against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a>, it would be nice to give Turner two weeks off before that first playoff game. But first things first.</p>
<p><span>Brent Grimes</span>, <span>Jamaal Anderson</span>, and <span>William Moore</span> forced turnovers, with Grimes nearly picking off a second pass. <span>Curtis Lofton</span> led the team in tackles, as is custom.</p>
<p><em>Join <a href="http://thefalcoholic.com">The Falcoholic</a> for more.</em></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2010/12/19/1886241/falcons-vs-seahawks-final-score-atlanta-now-one-win-away-fromJason Kirk2010-12-19T18:24:39-05:002010-12-19T18:24:39-05:00Falcons Vs. Seahawks Score: 34-10, Roddy White TD Set Up By William Moore Pick
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> are rolling against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a>, thriving in a quarter during which they usually struggle. Three straight turnovers — by <span>Jamaal Anderson</span>, <span>Brent Grimes</span>, and <span>William Moore</span> — led to a 17-point surge, the last touchdown a five-yard pass from QB Matt Ryan to WR <span>Roddy White</span>. Ryan now has three scores today, and White has eight on the season.</p>
<p>The Michael Turner battering ram continues to wear down Seattle’s defense, though he hasn’t broken a run longer than 15 yards today. His average after 18 carries is up to 3.1, and it sure would be nice to see somebody else start to get carries as the Falcons assuredly keep running out the clock.</p>
<p>Ryan’s numbers are up to 20-for-34, 174 yards, three touchdowns, and a pick.</p>
<p><span>Charlie Whitehurst</span> has taken over at QB for <span>Matt Hasselbeck</span>. Whitehurst has thrown three picks and a touchdown in his time this season, most of it against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a>.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2010/12/19/1886068/falcons-vs-seahawks-score-34-10-roddy-white-td-set-up-by-williamJason Kirk2010-12-19T17:58:56-05:002010-12-19T17:58:56-05:00Falcons Vs. Seahawks Score: 24-10, Jamaal Anderson Strips Matt Hasselbeck In End Zone
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<p>Oft-maligned <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> DL <span>Jamaal Anderson</span> just turned in the best play of his <span class="caps">NFL</span> career, knocking the ball out of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> QB <span>Matt Hasselbeck</span>’s hand as the quarterback toppled backwards in the end zone. Falcons DT <span>Jonathan Babineaux</span> fell on the ball for the touchdown, trumping his brother Jordan’s earlier interception for the Seahawks.</p>
<p>Hat tip goes to Falcons punter <span>Michael Koenen</span>, who pinned the Hawks inside their own five with his first punt of the game.</p>
<p>Anderson has taken a lot of heat from Falcons fans over the years after being drafted in the first round — and getting first-round money. He didn’t get his first sack until the middle of his second season, and only has 4.5 almost four seasons in. He’s been switched to a part-time DT, though he also still plays some DE.</p>
<p>Also, this was also the first touchdown of Babineaux’s career, so we can stop bitching about his lack of scoring. Good vibes for Falcons defensive linemen all around!</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2010/12/19/1886032/falcons-vs-seahawks-score-24-10-jamaal-anderson-strips-mattJason Kirk2010-12-19T17:35:34-05:002010-12-19T17:35:34-05:00Atlanta Falcons Vs. Seahawks Halftime Score: 17-10, Matt Ryan Leads Two-Minute Drill
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> QB Matt Ryan made up for a somewhat struggly first half with an absolutely beautiful lob to hit WR <span>Michael Jenkins</span> in stride in the end zone, giving Atlanta a 17-10 lead at the half. The Falcons charged 80 yards in 13 plays, proving even the Atlanta two-minute offense requires at least a dozen plays. The Falcons ran the no-huddle with great success, leading you to wonder why they don’t do it almost all the time, as you always do when they run the no-huddle.</p>
<p>That was a really pretty pass, and it came just as Ryan took a heavy shot from a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seahawks</a> blitz.. And it came at the right time too, as Ryan has sprayed some passes around the field today. He’s 14 of 26 for 130 yards, two touchdowns, and a pick.</p>
<p>The Falcons have run 44 offensive plays to Seattle’s 22. Really more like 21, since the last one was a kneel-down to kill the half. If the Seahawks defense isn’t just about ready to crumble, it’s got to be getting close. #homer</p>
<p>Seattle will need to take advantage of Atlanta’s typical third-quarter defensive lapses, but it’s hard to say whether they have the passing game to do it. <span>Matt Hasselbeck</span> is averaging a meh 5.7 yards per attempt.</p>
<p>Falcons get ball first.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2010/12/19/1885994/atlanta-falcons-vs-seahawks-halftime-score-17-10-matt-ryan-leads-twoJason Kirk2010-12-19T17:19:23-05:002010-12-19T17:19:23-05:00Falcons Vs. Seahawks Score: 10-10, Matt Ryan Interception Sets Up Tying Field Goal
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> put together their second ages-long 51-yard drive of the game, a 14-play event ending in a <span>Matt Bryant</span> field goal. After getting the ball back, QB Matt Ryan threw a pick to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> safety <span>Jordan Babineaux</span>, brother of Jonathan.</p>
<p>The Seahawks didn’t move the ball very far, but mustered an easy <span>Olindo Mare</span> field goal. As we’ve seen three half-quarter adventures so far, the first half is almost over after both teams combined for only 214 total yards of offense.</p>
<p>The Falcons are leaning on RB Michael Turner, especially after a pair of fumbles by — and a minor injury to — <span>Jason Snelling</span>. Turner has carried the ball 12 times for 30 yards, a humble average but one that’s hopefully softening up the Hawks defense for a more Falcons-friendly second half.</p>
<p><span>Marshawn Lynch</span> leads the way for Seattle’s offense, posting 32 yards on the ground and 17 via the air.</p>
<p>The Falcons are running a no-huddle, two-minute offense now, converting a first down and calling their first time out around their own 30-yard line.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2010/12/19/1885964/falcons-vs-seahawks-score-10-10-matt-ryan-interception-sets-up-tyingJason Kirk2010-12-19T16:55:32-05:002010-12-19T16:55:32-05:00Falcons Vs. Seahawks Score: 7-7, Jason Snelling Touchdown Concludes 15-Play Drive
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<p>After a 12-play road trip by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> to open the game, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> retorted with a drive that doesn’t even seem possible: 15 plays in almost nine minutes, but only 51 yards?</p>
<p>Two controversial fourth-and-one conversions, one each by Matt Ryan and <span>Michael Turner</span>, dragged the thing out just about as far as possible. Ryan finally put the drive out of its mercy with a three-yard pass to <span>Jason Snelling</span> at the goal line. Snelling has missed a few weeks in a row, so it’s nice to see him score in his return.</p>
<p>Ryan is six-of-eight for 52 yards so far, with <span>Roddy White</span>’s 20 leading the team. Turner has 19 yards on five attempts.</p>
<p>The Seahawks punted on their next drive, and the Falcons are driving again into Seattle territory. White just converted a third down near the 30 by falling on a Snelling fumble, proving God doesn’t smile on only the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a>.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2010/12/19/1885914/falcons-vs-seahawks-score-7-7-jason-snelling-touchdown-concludes-15Jason Kirk2010-12-19T16:19:58-05:002010-12-19T16:19:58-05:00Falcons Vs. Seahawks Score: 7-0, Seattle's Offense Looks Like Atlanta's
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<p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Falcons</a> are known for conducting epic, time-devouring drives, but the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seattle Seahawks</a> just showed they’re capable of killin’ a little clock of their own. A 12-play, 90-yard journey that killed more than seven minutes, the drive featured seven runs for 46 yards and a five-for-five passing effort by QB Matt Hasselbeck.</p>
<p>RB Marshawn Lynch did the honors from one yard out, giving him 30 yards already today. If the Falcons can respond with a couple of drives like this throughout today’s game, this thing could be over before sunset.</p>
<p>Bad sign: safety <span>Thomas DeCoud</span> led the Birds in tackling on the drive. If defensive backs are bringing down running backs play after play, something is in need of an adjustment. (Good news: the <a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Saints</a> lost to the <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Baltimore Ravens</a>. We’ll have a look at the <span class="caps">NFC</span> playoff implications of that in a couple minutes.)</p>
<p>Falcons KR Eric Weems got the Falcons first drive off to a good start, returning the ball to near midfield.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2010/12/19/1885822/falcons-vs-seahawks-score-seattle-atlantaJason Kirk2010-12-19T14:49:05-05:002010-12-19T14:49:05-05:00Falcons Vs. Seahawks Injury Report: Curtis Lofton And Jason Snelling Active
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> will enjoy the services of both RB <span>Jason Snelling</span> and LB <span>Curtis Lofton</span> today. Both have been limited in practice this week and were questionable yesterday, Snelling with a hamstring and Lofton with a knee.</p>
<p>This will be Snelling’s first game since week 12 against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a>. Minus their utility man, the Falcons have placed a bigger load on RB Michael Turner than usual and given more of a role to the versatile Gartrell Johnson. It’ll be nice to give Turner a reduced role with the playoffs just around the corner, if Snelling is able to make a dent in those carry totals.</p>
<p>Lofton has yet to miss a game as the Falcons chief of police.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.seahawks.com/team/injuries.html">For the Seahawks</a>, CB <span>Roy Lewis</span>, WR <span>Brandon Stokley</span>, and DB <span>Walter Thurmond</span> are questionable, and everybody else is either probable or good to go. Questionable usually means probable and probable usually means in, so it looks like we’ll have a pair of healthy teams at Qwest Field today.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-falcons/2010/12/19/1885660/falcons-vs-seahawks-injury-report-curtis-lofton-jason-snellingJason Kirk