Originally Posted by
suicidekings
No it won't. 92ypg @ 3.9ypc at home against opponents that allow an average of 118ypg vs 83ypg @ 3.5ypc on the road against opponents that allow 114ypg. They're slightly better running at home, but still bad. Look a little deeper and they got held to under 85 yards 10 times, and three of the games (SD, @PHI, NYG) where they went over 100 were blowouts that were over early so they ran more to eat clock. That leaves only three games this year where they were actually able to establish an effective run game.
Browner/Sherman vs White/Jones on the outside will be a back and forth battle all game. The Falcons receivers will gain yardage on a few big plays, but the Seahawks really excel at preventing those big plays from being taken all the way to the endzone, so ultimately I think the Falcons will look pretty good on offense between the 30s and struggle to convert at the end of the field. Where the Falcons can really hurt the Seahawks is in the slot with Harry Douglas as they've been weaker in protecting the middle of the field against good slot receivers (ie: Welker/Austin/Amendola). I would expect the Seahawks to be very aggressive in hitting the receivers at the line early in the game to try to prevent Ryan from getting into rhythm after 2 weeks off. I also don't think Browner/Sherman will be afraid to take an unnecessary roughness penalty early if they get the chance to land a savage hit on Jones/White. Anything to send a message early.
I will be shocked if Lynch doesn't run for 100+ yards in this game, on the strength of a couple of big cuts. The Falcons defensive line is solid in attacking the passer, but like I said above, they're weak in stopping the run. One of my biggest criticisms of the Falcons defense is that they're not great tacklers. They're much better at breaking up plays as they're developing than quickly converging on a ball-carrier. Lynch is exactly the kind of RB that can cause problems for them because he'll power right through the arm tackles. With him as the focal point at the line, Wilson will have multiple opportunities to break out of the pocket and run, just like Cam Newton did against the Falcons this year (202 yards @ 11.2ypc in 2 games). I can't really see the Falcons being able to force the Seahawks into playing one-dimensionally, and that's going to make it really tough for their defense to hold up for the whole game.
I'll be worried when he kicks his first FG, expecially if it's 40+, because he's probably rusty, however he didn't lose his job because he couldn't kick anymore. He just had to give way to a very good rookie. Added to that, playing in the dome negates weather issues, and Seattle really doesn't kick that many FGs (especially long FGs). They have such a solid punt team that they can often rely on playing the field position game, but are also one of the more aggressive teams on 4th down as well. I suspect Longwell will only be asked to make 1-2 FG attempts in this game, and probably nothing over 45 unless it's late in a low-scoring, tight game.