Seattle Seahawks: 3 Bold predictions vs. Falcons, Week 8
By Samuel Teets
After losing to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 7, the Seattle Seahawks have an easy matchup against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 8.
As the San Francisco 49ers continue their undefeated streak, the Seattle Seahawks are facing mounting odds to win the NFC West. Losing to the Baltimore Ravens last week was a significant setback that dropped Seattle to 5-2. However, the Seahawks will bounce back with a win in Week 8 against the woeful Atlanta Falcons.
The Falcons are 1-6, with their only win coming in Week 2. Speculation that head coach, Dan Quinn will be fired before the season has routinely been shot down by the team’s owner, Arthur Blank. However, the team’s poor start to the season will only be magnified by Matt Ryan‘s absence.
Ryan left Atlanta’s Week 7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams with what NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports is an ankle sprain. His status for Week 8 is up in the air, and Atlanta might rest Ryan even if the former MVP can play. There’s no point in risking further injury to your franchise quarterback at this point in the season. If Ryan doesn’t play, Matt Schaub will start for the Falcons.
With all of the chaos unfolding in Atlanta, the Seahawks will roll into town in Week 8 and glide to an easy win. By all measures, this should be Seattle’s most dominant win of the year.
3. Falcons held under 70 rushing yards
Last week, the Seahawks gave up 199 rushing yards to the Ravens, including 116 to Lamar Jackson. If not for Jackson’s total, the Seahawks did a good job bottling up the run game. However, that’s like saying an earthquake isn’t too bad if you ignore the shaking. You can’t.
While the Seahawks were exposed by Jackson last week, the team’s run defense will face a much easier opponent in Week 8. The Falcons are rushing for 68.4 yards per game this season. That ranks 29th in the league. Two of the teams ranked below the Falcons are winless. Against the Rams, the Falcons only mustered 38 yards on the ground.
Seattle’s defense is allowing 108.0 rushing yards per game, which ranks 17th in the league. That numbered was jacked up after last week’s loss, but it still represents the general idea. The Seahawks have a decent, but not a great run defense. The matchup with the Falcons will give Jadeveon Clowney and Jarran Reed opportunities to shine. The defense should look spectacular against Atlanta.