Five keys to victory for the Atlanta Falcons against the Seattle Seahawks

Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

This will be one of the most anticipated games in a couple of seasons as the Atlanta Falcons will try to avenge their loss to the Seattle Seahawks during the 2016 regular season. Seattle is coming off an impressive win at home against the Detroit Lions 26-6 last Saturday. The Home team in this match-up, the Atlanta Falcons were on a bye as the #2 seed in the NFC.

There are keys to victory for the Atlanta Falcons to advance to the championship round and these are my 5 major keys for a win at the Georgia Dome on Saturday January 14th.

The Falcons have the top scoring team in the league and that offense revolves around the Quarterback, so the first order of business would be to protect Matt Ryan and give him the throwing lanes to make throws against a vulnerable Seahawks secondary that is missing all-pro safety Earl Thomas. Ryan threw for 335 yards and 3 touchdowns in their first meeting, so look for the Falcons take deep shots down the field early.

Ryan lit up the Seahawks D for 335 yards in week 6
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta moved the ball well during their regular season match-up in Seattle by running timing routes with Julio Jones who had 7 receptions for 139 yards and a touchdown. They also got contributions from Sanu and Toilolo, but the Falcons have to run the football in order to set up big plays downfield and put this Seattle team away as early as possible, because the longer they stay in the game the more dangerous they become. Devonta Freeman was held to one of his lowest totals of the season as he only gained 40 yards on the ground and Atlanta was held just 52 as unit. Atlanta will have to protect the ball on offense and not turn it over, because the Seahawks defense feeds off of them, which could swing the momentum any point in the game.

Atlanta must contain Rawls and force Russell Wilson to beat them down the field
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta's defense has improved with every game this season and even though they are ranked in the bottom half of the league in most major categories, they have some play-makers on defense. Vic Beasley and the Falcons front 7 must get pressure on Russell Wilson and force him to make bad throws in critical situations. They also have to keep Thomas Rawls from breaking the big play, by playing stout up from which they have done well this season against the run. If Rawls gets going early it could hurt the Falcons pass rush and force them to play on their heels.

Vic Beasley and the Falcons front 7 are a key factor in this divisional playoff against the Seahawks. Beasley will have to show the league why he was the top gun this season with 15.5 sacks
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Seahawks can move the ball down the field very quickly and Jimmy Graham is key to them doing that because of his ability to stretch the field. If Atlanta can slow down Jimmy Graham then it would put more pressure on Wilson to look for other receivers and or even scramble which gives them a better chance at making a big play on defense.

Graham has been successful in the past against the Falcons and they must keep him from going up the seams and getting easy first downs.
Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta is favored in this game and they are looking to make it back to the NFC championship game for the first time since their heartbreaking loss in 2012 to the 49ers. If these keys to victory are met by the Falcons there is no reason they shouldn't advance to the next round.

*Keys to the game are highlighted in bold letters

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