Win the ball
When Atlanta and Seattle last met in October, the final stats for both teams were almost identical, except in one key area: Turnovers.
The Falcons finished minus-two in the turnover margin, something head coach Dan Quinn directly correlates to the final outcome of the game.
"Our last meeting we were in the minus and I think that was a real factor in the game," Quinn said. "We didn't create any and we ended up [giving up two]."
The Falcons have drastically improved this part of their game. Since the Week 6 matchup, Atlanta hasn't finished a game in the minus. Quinn's team finished top-five in the league in turnover ratio this season (plus-11).
Atlanta's emphasis on the ball all season could pay dividends on Saturday due to this telling postseason stat:
So far in the 2016 NFL playoffs, teams that are in the plus through the Wild Card Round are 4-0. Last year from the Wild Card Round through the Super Bowl, teams that were in the plus were 10-0.
And just like every week this season, the ball will again be an emphasis for the Falcons.
'Arrive Violently' mindset be on display
The Falcons are a fast and physical football team, and it all starts with the mindset they approach every practice and game with.
"To attack in all three phases, we have to arrive violently," Quinn said.
So what exactly does this mean?
"The way we come off the ball offensively, the way we attack at the line of scrimmage, the way we tackle," Quinn said.
"Arriving violently is a mindset, it's an attitude," Quinn said. "It's the way we want to play, it's your intent."
If the previous meeting between these teams is any indication, Saturday's game will be an extremely competitive and physical game, and that's just the Falcons' style.
Special teams are going to be special
Atlanta's cover units will see a very familiar face in the Georgia Dome when Devin Hester and the Seahawks come to town.
The Falcons know the threat Hester is, despite his lack of production this season.
Seattle owns one of the NFL's top defensive units, so giving Matt Ryan and Co. good field position to start their drives will be important.
"Field position in this game is going to be big," Quinn said. "It's our cover units, our return game, the way we want to go after kicks. The return game, I think, is going to be a real factor."
