Die Partie: Atlanta Falcons vs. Seattle Seahawks
Kickoff: 20. Oktober 2024, 19:00 Uhr (CET)
Austragungsort: Mercedes-Benz-Stadium
Bisheriger All-Time-Record: 9-12-0
Wo ihr das Spiel gucken könnt: RTL+, ENDZN (via DAZN,) NFL Gamepass International (via DAZN)
Die Ausgangslage: Erst am Mittwoch gab die NFL bekannt, dass Atlanta im Jahr 2028 Host des Super Bowl LXIII sein wird. Doch nun gilt es weiterhin erst einmal den Fokus auf die laufende Saison 2024 sowie das Ziel "New Orleans" zu legen und an die bisherigen Erfolge der Regular Season anzuknüpfen. Am kommenden Sonntag empfangen die Atlanta Falcons nach drei Wochen gespickt mit Divisionsduellen nunmehr die Seattle Seahawks aus der NFC West. Bereits in der Vergangenheit gab es einige erinnerungswürdige Begegnungen der beiden Teams, doch in dieser Saison ist vor allem eines ganz anders: Beide Teams haben nunmehr einen neuen Head Coach an der Seitenlinie stehen. Und während die Seahawks nach einem beeindruckenden 3-0-Saisonstart ihre letzten drei Spiele verloren haben, kann Atlanta nach drei Siegen in Folge mit gestärktem Rücken seinen nächsten Gegner in Empfang nehmen. In der 21. Begegnung der beiden Teams wollen die Falcons nicht nur die bisherige Bilanz dieses Vogelduells von 9-12-0 aufpolieren, sondern daneben auch ihre Spitzenposition in der NFC South verteidigen und einen weiteren Grundstein für die Playoffs legen.
This Throwback Thursday, we're taking at look back at the Falcons vs Seahawks match-up through history as we gear up for Sunday's game against Seattle in Week 7.
Der Gegner: Die Achillesferse der Seahawks liegt in ihren schwachen Leistungen der vergangenen Spiele und der damit verbundenen Frustration im Locker Room. Auch wenn ein Meeting am Montag dem Team für eine entsprechende Reflektion der letzten Wochen geholfen haben soll, sitzt der Stachel nach dem zunächst starken Saisonstart tief. Insbesondere das Spiel gegen die San Francisco 49ers zeigte Seattles Schwachstelle, das Fehlen eines funktionierenden Run Games, ganz deutlich. Während die Defensive in den ersten Wochen der Regular Season beinahe overperformed und das Team verbundenen mit einer starken Offensivleistung jeweils zum Sieg getragen hat, ist diese nunmehr doch angeschlagen und dürfte Probleme haben, die eingespielte Offensive der Falcons aufzuhalten. Die Pass Defense der Seahawks erlaubte in den letzten drei Spielen acht Touchdowns und 74,1 % erfolgreich angebrachte Pässe durch den gegnerischen Quarterback. Allein im Spiel gegen die 49ers ließ die Pass Defense 250 Yards zu. Der Pass Rush konnte daneben trotz einer Quarterback-Pressure-Rate von 50 % keinen einzigen Quarterback Sack erzielen. Auch die Rush Defensive zeigte ihre Schwäche, ließ sie zuletzt 228 Rushing Yards und 5,2 Yards per Carry zu. Daneben schaffte es aber auch die Offense der Seahawks zuletzt nicht, den Ball am Boden zu bewegen und auch Quarterback Geno Smith schien Probleme zu haben, durch das Passspiel wichtigen Raumgewinn zu erzielen. Zwei Interceptions im Spiel gegen die 49ers, sechs seit Saisonbeginn – das sind Statistiken, bei denen insbesondere Atlantas Safety-Duo Jessie Bates III und Justin Simmons aufhorchen sollte und die dazu führen könnten, dass die Falcons auch dieses "Battle of the Birds" dominieren.
Die Falcons: Das Team kommt nach drei Divisionssiegen im "Battle of the South" und insbesondere nach einem überzeugenden Sieg gegen die Carolina Panthers in Woche 6 mit gestärktem Rücken zurück auf den Gridiron im heimischen Mercedes-Benz-Stadium. Die Falcons gehen weiterhin mit einem fast vollständig gesunden Team in das Spiel. Und es scheint, als sei in der vergangenen Woche endlich auch der Knoten im Laufspiel geplatzt. Die Running Backs Bijan Robinson und Tyler Allgeier brillierten im Spiel gegen die Panthers und belohnten die Falcons mit Touchdowns. Während Robinson zum ersten Mal in seiner Profikarriere zwei Rushing Touchdowns in einem Spiel machte, verzeichnete Allgeier seinen ersten Touchdown der laufenden Saison. Quarterback Kirk Cousins bewegte zudem den Ball ohne Quarterback Sack und Interception für 225 Yards durch die Luft und fand hier vor allem Unterstützung durch Tight End Kyle Pitts und Wide Receiver Drake London. Im Spiel gegen die Tampa Bay Buccaneers warf Cousins zudem sogar für beeindruckende 509 Yards. Dieses Zusammenspiel von funktionierendem Lauf- und Passspiel wird der wichtigste Faktor gegen die geschwächte Defensive aus Seattle sein, den es auszunutzen gilt. 36 Punkte und mehr – das ist die Back-to-Back-Punktebilanz, an der es sich auch in dem bevorstehenden Duell zu orientieren gilt. Mit Unberechenbarkeit und Dominanz zu einer 5-2-Divisionsbilanz. Das ist das Ziel der Falcons für dieses Football-Wochenende.
Und so bleibt zu wünschen, dass die Falcons an ihre Erfolge aus den Divisionsduellen anknüpfen und in einem spannenden Spiel mit einem weiteren Sieg vom Feld gehen werden. Rise Up, Falcons Fans!
Take a look at our favorite images from Wednesday practice in Flowery Branch ahead of the week seven matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive line coach Jay Rodgers during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Charlie Woerner #89 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron #65 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III #34 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III #34 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss #55 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Ryan Neuzil #64, Atlanta Falcons offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford, and Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron #65 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie #17 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Natrone Brooks #35 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ta'Quon Graham #95 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro #98 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss #55 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett #97 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Birds fly above during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Matthew Judon #15 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Charlie Woerner #89 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III #34 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss #55 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Chris Blair #19 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive end James Smith-Williams #50 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Kentavius Street #93 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro #98 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Zach Harrison #96 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
