We’re hours away from the Seattle Seahawks beginning their December schedule in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons. Ever for the reason that Falcons opened up their new stadium in 2017, they’ve but to beat the Seahawks on 4 tries. A failure to win on Sunday would remove them from the postseason, though their elimination is all however inevitable whether or not immediately or throughout the subsequent couple of weeks. For the Seahawks, there’s quite a bit on the road when it comes to playoff positioning and the NFC West race, and so they have to truly safe their postseason berth first.
That is sport day morning, so what which means! It’s time for some sport predictions! Earlier than we get into this Falcons matchup, let’s revisit how correct final week’s Minnesota Vikings predictions have been!
Daring prediction: A Seahawks large fella interception
Plenty of interceptions, none of them from a defensive lineman. Awwww.
Seahawks offense prediction: Kenneth Walker III rushes for over 100 yards
Nonetheless hasn’t occurred since Week 2.
Seahawks protection prediction: Profitable the turnover battle
I’d say +3 is successful the turnover battle emphatically.
Vikings prediction: Somebody with a ‘J’ first identify will rating a landing
Didn’t even rating a landing. Somebody with the surname Jones did rating, however he performs for the Seahawks.
Sport prediction: Seahawks win by a wholesome margin
I’d say 26-0 is as wholesome as a balanced eating regimen.
Daring prediction: Seahawks get a particular groups landing
Seattle’s particular groups ranks 2nd in FTN’s DVOA, whereas the Falcons are a woeful thirtieth. Atlanta has gone via three kickers, muffed a punt final week in opposition to the New York Jets, and allowed quite a few enormous kick and punt returns.
Particular groups touchdowns are nonetheless not widespread, though we did see Tory Horton take one to the home versus the New Orleans Saints. Chazz Surratt may’ve had a blocked punt TD in the identical sport if he didn’t whiff on the news earlier than the rating. Jay Harbaugh’s group has made main enchancment on all the pieces however kicking and punting, by which case Jason Myers and Michael Dickson have been their normal selves, and I feel if there was ever a time for Rashid Shaheed to announce his arrival as a Seahawk, it’s in opposition to his former division foe.
Seahawks offense prediction: Somebody aside from JSN will get a receiving landing
Anybody know who’s the final Seahawks participant not named Jaxon Smith-Njigba to get a receiving landing? That will be Cody White in opposition to the Washington Commanders. We’re taking a look at 18 consecutive quarters and not using a TD to somebody aside from JSN within the passing sport. Whereas I absolutely count on JSN to bounce again and get fed the ball quite a bit and clear 100 receiving yards once more, I’d love for another person to step up and be a really formidable second choice for Sam Darnold to throw to. Will or not it’s Rashid Shaheed this week? I don’t know.
The Falcons cross protection is healthier than their run protection, notably on the subject of their incredible cross rush—Seattle has one fewer sack than Atlanta, who knew?—however the center of the sphere has been a difficulty for Atlanta when it comes to defending the cross. Time for Cooper Kupp to provide us yet another basic Kupp sport? And even have AJ Barner and/or Elijah Arroyo feast on seam routes? The alternatives might be there.
Seahawks protection prediction: Kirk Cousins held underneath 200 internet passing yards
There’s no Drake London, leaving the Falcons with Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts as the one actual offensive threats to key in on. London is an excellent receiver when wholesome, and the Falcons’ WR group is severely missing in depth. Kirk Cousins is enjoying a a lot better model of Seattle’s protection than the one he struggled in opposition to final 12 months, and with fewer main targets at his disposal.
Little question Robinson on the very least might be used closely within the passing sport, however I like my probabilities of the Seahawks grounding Atlanta’s aerial assault with few yards allowed and plenty of sack yards posted. Cousins didn’t clear 200 yards (earlier than sack yardage loss) in two of his three begins this ear, and I’d be stunned if he feasted in opposition to Seattle’s protection at full energy.
Falcons prediction: Bijan Robinson breaks one explosive play
The dynamic operating again from the College of Texas is on the cusp of a 1,000-yard dashing season. He has velocity, route operating, elusiveness within the open subject, nearly all the pieces you need in a lead again. Seattle’s run protection is numero uno and is elite at stopping explosive runs. Robinson did have a stretch in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, and New England Patriots by which he wasn’t an element as a runner, so he’s most positively stoppable. It’s additionally true that even an incredible run protection like Seattle has proven some explosive play cracks in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals in newer weeks.
I imagine that Robinson will largely be held in examine, however it solely takes on with him to get an explosive play north of 20 yards both within the run sport or as a receiver, having already notched a profession excessive 594 receiving yards.
Closing rating prediction: Seahawks take the Falcons severely, pull off one other highway win
I stated 27-16 Seahawks earlier within the week in my preview with Bryce Coutts on The Hawks Eye. I’m bumping that up a landing to 34-16 Seattle, by which the 2nd half turns an uncomfortably shut sport right into a rout. Sam Darnold throws for 2 touchdowns, Kenneth Walker III will get an explosive dashing TD, and the offense takes care of the ball whereas the protection forces the Falcons into third down, the place Atlanta is among the league’s worst at changing.
It’ll be punts aplenty greater than turnovers, which implies extra alternatives for Seattle’s offense to shake off among the current struggles and put the Falcons out of their distress. Atlanta’s cross rush is one thing I’ll be watching intently in case the Seahawks offense does get thrown out of kinds.
These are my predictions! Now share yours within the feedback!
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