By Mazvita Maraire Posted on

Seahawks get right in 34-14 win over Falcons

The Seahawks snapped a three-game losing streak with the proverbial get-right win over the Falcons.  While they did not play a perfect game, the Seahawks played complimentary football in the much-needed and sought-after win.

“Just proud of our guys. We said the message really after the game was, ‘Team win.’ I felt like we earned the win on our preparation Monday through Saturday. It was probably our best week of prep, “ said head coach  Mike Macdonald.” Guys were locked in. Going through traveling east, 10 a.m. game on our time, having energy, focus, togetherness, all the stuff that we needed in order for us to win, we did. So, complimentary game. It felt like our offense responded sometimes when the Falcons were able to go down there and score, and special teams as well. I’ll be excited to go watch the tape.”

EFFICIENT OFFENSE

When Macdonald watches the tape, he will like what he sees. The offense was efficient, creative, and energetic, the special teams were perfect, and  the defense closed out the game in dominating fashion.

 Despite battling an undisclosed Illness, Ken Walker III showed he was among the NFL’s elite running backs.  Walker rushed for 69 yards on 14 carries and scored two touchdowns. A tantalizing 20-yard run and a spectacular over-the-shoulder 17-yard catch and run into the right corner of the endzone.  Walker’s performance was on his birthday.

“Two touchdowns on his birthday, that was sick. I thought he did a great job. Obviously, he was under the weather. A little bit of his flu game today on his birthday. I think that’s spectacular. It might be the first time that’s ever happened, but he’s a guy we rely on ,” said  Macdonald.

AGGRESSIVE  PLAY CALL  SETS THE TONE


Give Ryan Grubb an assist for the Seahawks’ aggressive and creative playing calling. Leading 10-7 with the ball on the Falcons 31-yard line on 3rd—15 with 10 seconds left in the half and no timeouts, the Seahawks opted to go for it rather than kick a field goal. The gamble paid off, as  Geno Smith threw a perfect dart to DK  Metcalf, who ran a perfect route toward the goalpost for the 31-yard touchdown. The Seahawks went into the halftime break leading 17-7.

DOMINATING DEFENSE

After some shabby tackling in the first half, the Seahawks halftime adjustments dramatically changed the game.  After giving up 116 rushing yards in the first half, the Seahawks allowed the Falcons to have just 39  yards in the second half. By stuffing the Falcon’s run game, the defense made the Falcon’s offense one-dimensional.   After a flawless drive by  Kirk Cousins to start the second half, the Seahawk’s interior defensive line pinned its ears back and went after  Cousins, who had just engineered a 14-play 79 scoring drive that ate up 7:17 of the third quarter. Cousins was 7-7 on the drive, which ended with a five-yard touchdown pass to Drake London.

Three big questions for Seahawks heading into Falcons game

TURNOVER FRENZY

The  Cousins to London touchdown were the last points the Falcons would score.  The Falcons punted on their next possession. It was then that the Seahawk’s defense had its turnover feast. The Seahawks caused three consecutive turnovers.  Boye Mafe sacked Cousins, who fumbled the ball, which was scooped by Derick  Hall, who rambled 64 yards down the right sidelines for the touchdown. Julian  Love intercepted Cousins’ pass intended for London, which resulted in a Json Myers 59-yard field goal. Coby Bryant made it a trifecta when he intercepted Cousins’s pass intended for Kyle Pitts.

THE BIG PICTURE

Credit the Seahawks coaching staff and, in part, the players. The Seahawks started two rookies against the Falcons: Nehemia Pritchet at cornerback and right tackle Michael Jarrell. Josh Jobe was elevated from the practice squad and started at cornerback with Pritchett. The key to the Seahawks’ defensive dominance was the play of the defensive interior. Byron Murphy II’s return and recent trade for Roy Robertson Harris simply wore down the Falcons’ offensive line. On offense, the Seahawks might have found a gem in right tackle Michael Jerrell.

MACDONALD ON DK METCALF

Metcalf left the game on a cart in the fourth quarter due to a knee injury he suffered in the third quarter. Metcalf had another productive day before the injury, hauling in four passes for 99 yards and a touchdown.

“On that sideline catch, he banged up his knee a little bit,” Macdonald said. “Not sure the severity. We’re optimistic at this point; it doesn’t look too bad.”

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