PREMIUM
Rogers' Saturday SMACKDOWN >> PERFECT 2-0 with Wild Card Sides!
(NFL) Seattle vs. Atlanta,
Point Spread: 5.00 | -110.00 Seattle (Away)
Result: Loss
Point Spread: 5.00 | -110.00 Seattle (Away)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Seahawks and Falcons have only one previous playoff meeting. That came back in 2012, when the Falcons were the NFC's No. 1 seed (13-3 regular season record) and the wild card Seahawks were led by then-rookie QB Russell Wilson. Atlanta led that game 20-0 at the half and entered the 4th quarter with a 27-7, only to see Wilson lead the Seahawks to three 4th-quarter TDs and a 28-27 advantage. However, Matt Bryant's 49-yard FG with 13 seconds gave Atlanta the 30--28 win. Maybe that game is "old news" but Seattle's controversial 26-24 victory at home in Week 6 isn't. CB Richard Sherman wasn't whistled for a late pass interference call on Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones and OLB Vic Beasley Jr., who led the NFL with 15 1/2 sacks, says "We felt like we had a chance to win that game. Calls didn't go our way," "Things could've went a different route, so we're looking forward to this opportunity."
Seattle: The Seahawks wore down the Lions last weekend, winning 26-6, as Russell Wilson improved his postseason record as an NFL starter to 8-3.
Wilson appears to be the healthiest he's been this season. He completed 23 of 30 passes against Detroit with two TDs and no INTs. Maybe just as importantly, the offense found its missing ground game with Thomas Rawls rushing 27 times for 161 yards, which is a team playoff record (who needs Marshawn Lynch?). The Seattle defense suffered a major blow with the loss safety Earl Thomas but still ended the season allowing just 18.3 PPG, third-best in the NFL. Against Detroit and Matthew Stafford, Seattle held the Lions to 231 yards and 13 FDs (2 of 11 on 3rd down and 0-2 on 4th down).
Atlanta: The Falcons ended a three-year playoff drought with this year's 11-5 record, which earned them the No. 2 seed. QB Matt Ryan has had his best season (69.9% for 4,944 yards with 38 TDs and 7 INTs for a 117.1 QB rating), leading the Falcons to an NFL-best 33.8 PPG in 2016. WR Julio Jones (83 catches for 1,409 yards) was second in the NFL in receiving yards, despite missing two games with a toe injury. The best news is, he should be the healthiest he's been in a while after the extra rest. The RB duo of Freeman (1,079 rushing yards with 11 TDs / 54 catches for 462 yards & 2TDs) plus Coleman (520 rushing yards with 8 TDs / 31 catches for 421 yards & 3 TDs), makes the Falcons the type of offense which can score against any defense. The Falcons must score though, as the defense allows 25.4 PPG (27th) on 371.2 YPG (25th).
The pick: The Falcons have had the way more consistent year but this is the playoffs. Wilson is 8-3 in his postseason career, leading the Seahawks to two Super Bowls, a rout of the Broncos and then that inexplicable loss to the Pats, the following year. Yes, Ryan could very well be this year's MVP but that last-second 30-28 win back in 2012 was his only playoff victory, as he's 1-4 all-time. Guess what? Wilson had his career high with 385 passing yards in that playoff loss to the Falcons back in 2012!. Take the points and make Seattle an 8* play.
Seattle: The Seahawks wore down the Lions last weekend, winning 26-6, as Russell Wilson improved his postseason record as an NFL starter to 8-3.
Wilson appears to be the healthiest he's been this season. He completed 23 of 30 passes against Detroit with two TDs and no INTs. Maybe just as importantly, the offense found its missing ground game with Thomas Rawls rushing 27 times for 161 yards, which is a team playoff record (who needs Marshawn Lynch?). The Seattle defense suffered a major blow with the loss safety Earl Thomas but still ended the season allowing just 18.3 PPG, third-best in the NFL. Against Detroit and Matthew Stafford, Seattle held the Lions to 231 yards and 13 FDs (2 of 11 on 3rd down and 0-2 on 4th down).
Atlanta: The Falcons ended a three-year playoff drought with this year's 11-5 record, which earned them the No. 2 seed. QB Matt Ryan has had his best season (69.9% for 4,944 yards with 38 TDs and 7 INTs for a 117.1 QB rating), leading the Falcons to an NFL-best 33.8 PPG in 2016. WR Julio Jones (83 catches for 1,409 yards) was second in the NFL in receiving yards, despite missing two games with a toe injury. The best news is, he should be the healthiest he's been in a while after the extra rest. The RB duo of Freeman (1,079 rushing yards with 11 TDs / 54 catches for 462 yards & 2TDs) plus Coleman (520 rushing yards with 8 TDs / 31 catches for 421 yards & 3 TDs), makes the Falcons the type of offense which can score against any defense. The Falcons must score though, as the defense allows 25.4 PPG (27th) on 371.2 YPG (25th).
The pick: The Falcons have had the way more consistent year but this is the playoffs. Wilson is 8-3 in his postseason career, leading the Seahawks to two Super Bowls, a rout of the Broncos and then that inexplicable loss to the Pats, the following year. Yes, Ryan could very well be this year's MVP but that last-second 30-28 win back in 2012 was his only playoff victory, as he's 1-4 all-time. Guess what? Wilson had his career high with 385 passing yards in that playoff loss to the Falcons back in 2012!. Take the points and make Seattle an 8* play.
