Atlanta Falcons: Divisional Round Final Thoughts and Predictions

The Atlanta Falcons will play the Seattle Seahawks in the divisional round this afternoon.  Here are our final thoughts and predictions.

The Atlanta Falcons are set to play a meaningful game in January for the first time in a long while. They have leaned on the best offensive attack in the league to get here. The offensive attack will have to continue but will not be enough if the Falcons hope to advance past this Saturday’s divisional round.

Vic Beasley cannot be the only player making plays on Atlanta’s much maligned defense. They are going to have to play opportunistic defense and create at least one turnover a game to help keep Atlanta in games against the toughest teams that they will face all season. That starts today against the Hawks, if the Falcons win the revenge re-match they will have a chance to face the winner of the Cowboy’s and Packer’s game that will be played late Sunday afternoon.

Stopping the run game will be the difference in this game for both sides if Seattle is allowed to shut down the running game and rush Matt Ryan undeterred the Falcon’s offense is in trouble. On the flip side Seattle is built to run the ball on offense if they run as successfully as they did against Detroit last week then the Falcons will struggle to win this game.

That will not be the case this afternoon in Atlanta the Falcons defense is going to surprise it’s critics with improved and opportunistic play allowing Matt Ryan and the offense to take the game over early and hold the Hawks off late.

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Richard Sherman and how much he will shadow Julio Jones in this game is the match-up to watch and something to pay attention to early for Falcon’s fans.  Final score prediction: Atlanta Falcons-31 Seattle Seahawks-24.   Today’s game will kick off on FOX at 4:35 EST.