Seahawks at Falcons: 2013 NFL Playoffs Game Preview

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Steven Bisig-US PRESSWIRE

@craigballard77

(12-5) Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons (13-3)

The Falcons are 4-5 on the road, while the Falcons are 7-1 at home. Seattle averages 21 points per game on the road, while the Falcons average 25 points per game at home. This game has eight Pro Bowl players.

The Seahawks had a remarkable 7-1 second half of the season, while the Falcons were 5-3. Add in Atlanta's 8-0 first half and we see why the Falcons are the top seed in the NFC. Having this red-hot Seahawks team as your first opponent hardily seems like a fair reward for #1.

The only playoff teams that the Falcons faced this season were the Denver Broncos and the Washington Redskins. The Broncos were week 2, and the Redskins were week 5. Neither of those teams were the playoff caliber teams they are now back then. I think this game is a major test for the Falcons, and surely their toughest test of the season.

The Falcons have done well owing the football in the first half of games, while the Seahawks dominate the second half for time of possession (Seahawks own the fourth quarter as far as holding on to the football). Both teams are pretty balanced as far as scoring in the first half and second half.

One #RML to watch will be penalties. The Falcons have been wonderful all season, they are the least penalized team in the NFL. The Seahawks are all the way down the list as they are the 24th most penalized team.

Pete Carroll is 61-57 in his career, including 3-3 in the playoffs. His tenure with Seattle has been 7-9, 7-9, then this season 11-5. He is 2-1 at the helm for Seattle in the playoffs. His counterpart is Mike Smith. The Falcons are 56-27 under Smith (including 0-3 in playoffs) and at home they are 33-7 in his era (impressive home record).

This slideshow article will look at the running games for each team, and the passing games for each team. We will also look at these defenses. On the last page there are links to the other NFL divisional round games too.

@craigballard77@myself.com

Source: http://www.rantsports.com/nfl/2013/01/10/seahawks-at-falcons-2013-nfl-playoffs-game-preview/

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