The Falcons are now 1-7 for the season, following a 27-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks (6-2) on Sunday.
Julio Jones was Atlanta's key standout as the receiver caught 10 passes for 152 yards. This is Jones' fourth game of the season finishing with over 100 yards receiving in a game. Falcons' backup quarterback Matt Schaub got the start as Matt Ryan was ruled out on Sunday due to an ankle injury, which occurred in last weeks game against the Los Angeles Rams. Schaub led Atlanta's offense finishing with 39 of his 52 passes completed for 460 yards, a touchdown and a pick thrown. The Falcons recorded 512 yards of total offense against the Seahawks. Seattle's offense was effective in the run game as the Seahawks generated 151 yards rushing and came away with 322 yards of total offense. Seahawks' running back Chris Carson led Seattle on the ground with 20 carries for 90 yards. Quarterback Russell Wilson finished the outing completing 14 out of 20 passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns thrown. Wide receiver Tyler Lockett reeled in six catches for 100 yards.
Atlanta's defense struggled in the first half, granting the Seahawks three touchdown scores in the second quarter. After halftime, the Falcons' defense stood up and held Seattle's offense to a 54-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. The Falcons have now dropped six straight games dating back to their first win against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2. Here are the key takeaways from Sunday's game against Seattle:
Arthur Blank on Falcons: 'I'm extraordinarily disappointed'
Falcons' owner Arthur Blank addressed the media to discuss Atlanta's six game skid and the struggles that are occurring with the team. In the press conference following a loss to the Seahawks, Blank said that he is "extraordinarily disappointed" to the 1-7 start and plans to make evaluations during the bye and upcoming weeks. Blank also stated in the conference, "Whatever decision we have to make will be made for the right reasons for the long term."
For more coverage on Arthur Blanks' quotes on the state of the team following the loss, click here.
Tabeek: Three good and not-so-good things from Seahawks loss
In four of the eight games played this season, the Falcons were trailing down 17 points or more before halftime. Atlanta made a second half effort to make it a close game, but the first half deficit of 24-0 was simply too much to overcome. Some of the Falcons main struggles are due to special team miscues, too many turnovers and busted coverage in the secondary which showed against Seattle.
Though Atlanta loss the game, there were some positives to takeaway with Matt Schaub's big game as backup quarterback, the offensive line's protection and Austin Hooper's solid play for consecutive games. With the team heading into the bye week, there are still many questions raising on the current state of the team and what changes could possibly be made. To read Matthew Tabeek's column on Sunday's loss to Seattle and the Falcons' season, click here.
Dan Quinn on loss: 'Turnovers played a huge role'
Falcons' head coach Dan Quinn addressed the media following the loss to the Seahawks. The Falcons finished minus-three in the turnover margin and each turnover was critical for Atlanta on Sunday. In the press conference, Quinn said, ""You can't lose the turnover battle zero to three and expect to come out ahead." He added, "That was a huge part of this. When you turn it over at the 1-yard line and you don't have the chance to keep answering especially when you're in a hole, you have zero margin for any error." The Falcons are now leading into the bye week and are still searching to get certain issues fixed with the extra week of preparation. For more on Dan Quinn's press conference and his quotes following the game, click here.
Other notable performances:
- Wide receiver Calvin Ridley had a few big time catches in the game. Ridley ended the game with four catches for 70 yards and connected with Schaub on Atlanta's two-point conversion in the third quarter.
- Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett led the defense in tackles as he racked up eight tackles and was credited for the sack at the 9:08-mark of the third quarter.
- Tight end Austin Hooper came away with a solid game, finishing with six catches for 65 yards and a touchdown scored in the fourth quarter.
- Running back Devonta Freeman finished the game with eight catches for 63 yards.
- Running back Brian Hill scored the Falcons' first touchdown for the day on a 23-yard run late in the in the third quarter. Hill totaled 3 carries for 39 yards.
- Linebacker De'Vondre Campbell was the second leader in tackles with seven recorded.
For those who want further analysis of Sunday's game between the Falcons and Seahawks, check out an archive of our live blog below.
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