Atlanta Falcons rewatch: 2013 NFC Divisional round

The Atlanta Falcons entered into the divisional weekend as the number 1 seed in the NFC and lead by the league’s best offense. Matt Ryan had one of his best years. Not to mention, having the best receiving core in Atlanta Falcons history, even considering more recent rosters in Atlanta. The receiving group was headlined by Roddy White, Julio Jones, Harry Douglas, and Brian Finneran. You also cannot forget Michael Turner at running back and the future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez at tight end. Our 2012 offense was scary.

Funny enough, the Atlanta Falcons will retain the same offensive coordinator used in 2012 for 2020. While Dirk Koetter was poor in 2019, the Falcons tend to do better in four-year stents.

The game itself

Seattle was coming off of a classic game on wildcard weekend against the Washington Redskins. That game is remembered by most for two reasons. The Trent Williams punch to Richard Sherman in post-game and the mishandling of RG3‘s knee that ultimately ruined his entire career. The Seahawks found themselves down 14-0 after the first quarter ended and went on a 24-0 run to advance to Atlanta.

While looking at the halftime scoreline of 20-0 in favor of the Atlanta Falcons, you would have strong reasons to believe this game was completely one-sided. The Atlanta Falcons got numerous breaks in the first half by way of a 4th and 1 stop within the red zone and sacking Russell Wilson right before half not allowing for Seattle to kick a field goal to get points. Matt Ryan also threw an early interception that leads to a Marshawn Lynchfumble a few plays later.

The Atlanta Falcons built a 20 point lead due to a great sideline catch by Finneran to bring the Falcons within the five-yard line. This was followed up by a play-action pass to Gonzalez in the back of the endzone. After netting a field goal the following possession, the Atlanta Falcons followed that possession up by a bomb from midfield from Ryan to White to bring the Falcons ahead by 20.

The Atlanta Falcons defense still struggled to stop the Seahawks as they marched downfield and scored on their opening drive of the second half. Tack on a shovel pass from Ryan to Jason Snelling for a three-yard score and you have the Atlanta Falcons ahead 27-7 near the end of the third. It’s almost like foreshadowing into the future, this time the Falcons end up on top.