National media make their picks for Sunday's game between the Seattle Seahawks and Atlanta Falcons.
Gregg Rosenthal, NFL.com: Seattle Seahawks 29, Atlanta Falcons 21
It's remarkable that the NFL's second-most efficient passing attack is primarily built on DK Metcalf's three routes and improvisations between Russell Wilson and Tyler Lockett. It's even more remarkable that it should be plenty against a Falcons pass defense that sinks lower and plays softer by the week. This Falcons roster isn't that different or that much worse on paper than the one that made the Super Bowl, but the book is out on how to beat them, and coach Dan Quinn is out of counter moves. I'm not even sure these Seahawks are that good -- they've won once decisively, lost twice decisively and prevailed in four nail-biters. This isn't the week we're going to find out how good they are, however, whether Matt Ryan plays or not.
Brady Henderson, ESPN.com: Seahawks 31, Falcons 25
Bold prediction: Wilson will throw four touchdown passes. His 29-7 record following an in-season loss is the best by a quarterback since the 1970 merger. Now he faces a defense that ranks next-to-last in pressuring opposing QBs.
Michael David Smith, ProFootballTalk.com: Seahawks 35, Falcons 10
MDS: The Falcons' defense makes every quarterback look good, and Russell Wilson will be great in Atlanta on Sunday.
Michael Florio, ProFootballTalk.com: Seahawks 34, Falcons 16
Florio's take: A couple of years ago, the Falcons were good enough to beat the Seahawks in the playoffs. Now? Not.
Pete Prisco, CBSSports.com: Seahawks 37, Falcons 23
The Falcons will likely be without Matt Ryan in this one, which means it's Matt Schaub against Russell Wilson. Good luck with that. The Atlanta defense has been miserable and Wilson will expose a bad defense after a bad game last week against the Ravens.
Cody Benjamin, CBSSports.com: Seahawks 31, Falcons 9
Seattle isn't immune to a slip-up, but it's not happening in Atlanta. The Falcons are giving up more points than all but the Dolphins, Matt Ryan is banged up, and Russell Wilson should have a chance to pad his numbers for the MVP race. Look out, Dan Quinn.
Bleacher Report: Seahawks 34, Falcons 17
With Matt Ryan's status up in the air, most sportsbooks hadn't posted a line here at press time. But the Seattle Seahawks are likely to be favored by between a field goal and a touchdown Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, and our gang is riding with Seattle regardless.
Vinnie Iyer, SportingNews.com: Seahawks 27, Falcons 24
The Falcons are likely to play without Matt Ryan (ankle). Matt Schaub has the keys to a pretty good passing offense, and the Seahawks can be vulnerable in the middle of the field against Austin Hooper, also with no corner who can match up with Julio Jones. Seattle is coming off a rare bad home game from Russell Wilson in which it wasn't able to run on Baltimore, either. Wilson's scrambling and big-play running in this game will meet no resistance from Atlanta's defense, while Seattle's deficiencies will keep the hosts around as they try to win one for Dan Quinn at home.
More Picks From Around The Web
Ten of the ten polled so far at ESPN.com side with the Seahawks this Sunday.
Seven of seven writers at USA Today pick the Seahawks.
The Seahawks will play the Falcons on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium during Week 7 of the 2024 season. Take a look back at photos throughout history between the two teams.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) scrambles in the second half at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2002. (AP Photo/Alan Mothner)
Seattle Seahawks' Jerramy Stevens (86) celebrates his second quarter touchdown with Bobby Engram (84) against the Atlanta Falcons in Seattle Sunday, Sept. 18, 2005. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander crosses the goal line on a second-quarter touchdown run against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2005, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
The Seattle Seahawks held Warrick Dunn to 54 yards in a 21-18 Seahawks victory in Seattle on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2005. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick fumbles as he is hit by Seattle Seahawks' Chad Brown during the first quarter in Seattle Sunday Jan. 2, 2005. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks' Jerramy Stevens (86) is congratulated by teammate Shaun Alexander after a 3-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter on Sunday, Jan. 2, 2005, in Seattle. The Seahawks won, 28-26. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander (37) breaks from a diving Atlanta Falcons' Bryan Scott with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) watching from behind in Seattle Sunday Jan. 2, 2005. The Seahawks won, 28-26. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks' Lofa Tatupu (51) reacts after sacking Atlanta Falcons' quarterback Michael Vick in the second quarter Sunday, Sept. 18, 2005, in Seattle. The Seahawks won, 21-18. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander (37) breaks through the line for a touchdown on Sunday , Dec. 30, 2007, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Seattle Seahawks receiver Bobby Engram (84) reaches past Atlanta Falcons' Antoine Harris for a touchdown after making a catch in the second quarter of a football game Sunday , Dec. 30, 2007 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Seattle Seahawks running back Maurice Morris (20) is stopped by Atlanta Falcons' Chris Houston (23) after making a catch during the first quarter on Sunday , Dec. 30, 2007, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ben Obomanu makes a toe-tapping reception in the back of the end zone for a score in a game against the Falcons on December 19, 2010. The Falcons defeated the Seahawks 34-18.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cameron Morrah dives over Falcons defenders on his way down the field during a game on December 19, 2010.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck directs traffic down field as he prepares to attempt a pass during a game on December 19, 2010.
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Raheem Brock pressures Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan as he attempts a pass down field during a game on December 19, 2010.
Seattle Seahawks defenders tackle and attempt to strip the ball from Atlanta running back Michael Turner during a game on October 2, 2011. The Falcons defeated the Seahawks 30-28.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Tarvaris Jackson attempts a pass down field during a game against the Atlanta Falcons on October 2, 2011.
Seattle Seahawks Marshawn Lynch leaps into the end zone to score a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman goes up to tip a pass intended for Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones during a game on January 13, 2013.
Seattle Seahawks tight end Zach Miller prepares to make a touchdown grab in the corner of the end zone during a game on January 13, 2013.
Seattle Seahawks captains await the drop of the coin prior to kickoff during a game against the Falcons on January 13, 2013. The Falcons defeated the Seahawks 30-28.
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch makes his way around the edge of the Atlanta defense during a game on November 10, 2013. The Seahawks defeated the Falcons 33-10.
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril puts pressure on Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan during a game on November 10, 2013.
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch heads to the field at the Georgia Dome during a game on November 10, 2013. The Seahawks defeated the Falcons 33-10.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver attempts to pull down a reception over Atlanta cornerback Asante Samuel during a game on November 10, 2013.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson sends a pass down field during a game against the Atlanta on October 16, 2016.
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril delivers a hit to quarterback Matt Ryan jarring the ball loose causing a Falcons fumble during a game on October 16, 2016.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Devin Hester returns a punt down the sidelines against the Atlanta Falcons during a game on January 14, 2017. The Falcons defeated the Seahawks 36-20.
Seattle Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor makes a leaping attempt to block an Atlanta field goal during a game on January 14, 2017.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tanner McEvoy heads down the sideline as an Atlanta defender attempts to tackle him during a game on October 16, 2016. The Seahawks defeated the Falcons 26-24.
Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham makes a touchdown grab with an Atlanta defender draped on him during a game on November 20, 2017.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson prepares to attempt a pass against the Atlanta Falcons during a game on November 20, 2017.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin pulls down a reception against the Atlanta Falcons during a game on November 20, 2017. The Falcons defeated the Seahawks 34-31.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett makes a diving catch while falling out of bounds during a game on November 20, 2017. The Falcons defeated the Seahawks 34-31.
