Atlanta Falcons Digital Content Producer Kelsey Conway provides a closer look at the Seattle Seahawks' Week 6 opponent:
1. Falcons head coach Dan Quinn faces the the Seahawks for the first time since he departed Seattle. How has he settled into the job entering his second year?
Conway: Coach Quinn has a unique coaching style that allows him to connect with his players easily, and I think it's a big reason to why he's adjusted to the role of a head coach so quickly. Players seem to really take to his leadership style, and it's evident on the field. His program is centered around the brotherhood and the standard that his players created themselves, and their connection with one another directly correlates to their success.
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2. It looks like Quinn has replicated a few Seahawks players on Atlanta's roster (Keanu Neal is his Kam Chancellor, Desmond Trufant is his Richard Sherman, etc.). Was that a goal of his when he initially took over the team?
Conway: When the Falcons drafted Keanu Neal, he was automatically compared to Kam Chancellor in the role that he would play in Quinn's defense. But coach Quinn is adamant in letting his players develop their own identity and one thing you will notice about any of the players on Atlanta's defense is their toughness. Neal has the speed and physicality Atlanta needed on defense, and he's exactly the type of player Coach Quinn and GM Thomas Dimitroff want on their team. As you know with the LOB, having a secondary full of smart, instinctual players is vital to success in the NFL, and for the Falcons, it all starts with Desmond Trufant.
3. The Falcons are off to a great start for the second year in a row. Last season, they weren't able to sustain that level of play down the stretch. What's different about this year's team and what will they have to do to stay upright?
Conway:The Falcons are mentally tougher team than they were in 2015 — they've shown that in many instances this year. Coach Quinn also says his team has refined their ability to reset each week. It's a major emphasis for the players and staff, and it all starts with the work put in during the week.
4. How will the Falcons utilize the backfield duo of Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman against Seattle's stout defense?
Conway: The thing to note about the two-headed monster of Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman is their ability to get involved in the passing game. Like you saw in the Falcons' Week 5 win over the Broncos, Denver couldn't find an answer for Coleman in the open field. Freeman can dominate a defense the same way, and that's what makes them so hard to defend. Freeman and Coleman have combined for 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns this season.
5. And lastly, Julio Jones vs Sherman could possibly be the matchup to watch Sunday. If the Seahawks have Sherman shadow Jones and the Falcons don't throw that way as often, who could see increased targets from quarterback Matt Ryan?
Conway: I think the best way to answer this question is, who won't see increased targets. Atlanta has shown their offensive versatility in each of their games this year, with up to nine players catching passes in a game. Matt Ryan has a plethora of options and if Jones draws extra attention, the running backs and tight ends have shown they can step up.
Get to know the faces of the Atlanta Falcons' offensive and defensive units heading into the team's Week 6 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) warms up before the first half of an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Atlanta Falcons tackle Jake Matthews (70) lines up against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Atlanta Falcons guard Andy Levitre (67) sets to block against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015 in Tampa, Fla. The Buccaneers won 23 - 19 in an NFL football game. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Atlanta Falcons center Alex Mack looks to snap the ball against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Atlanta Falcons center Chris Chester (65) looks on during the 2015 week 7 regular season NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015 in Nashville, Tenn. The Falcons won the game 10-7. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Atlanta Falcons tackle Ryan Schraeder plays against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Jacob Tamme (83) scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons receiver Mohamed Sanu (12) carries the ball against the Oakland Raiders during a NFL game at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum. The Falcons defeated the Raiders 35-28. Photo by Bob Carr
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) throws against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) is hit by Denver Broncos outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett (48) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman (26) runs for a touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)
Atlanta Falcons fullback Patrick DiMarco (42) runs against Carolina Panthers cornerback Daryl Worley (26) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Dwight Freeney sits on the sidelines in the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Atlanta Falcons nose tackle Jonathan Babineaux looks on against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (97) sets on defense against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015 in Atlanta. The Colts won the NFL game 24 - 21. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Defensive end Tyson Jackson (94) of the Atlanta Falcons takes the field for play against Tampa Bay Buccaneers November 1, 2015 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Buccaneers won the NFL game 23 - 20 in overtime. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Vic Beasley (44) warms up before the first half of an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Deion Jones (45) lines up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Atlanta. The Buccaneers won the game 31-24. (Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini)
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Brooks Reed runs to the sidelines in action against the New Orleans Saints during a NFL football game on Monday, Sept. 26, 2016, in New Orleans. The Falcons won, 45-32. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Ra'Shede Hageman looks on as he warms up prior to action against the New Orleans Saints during a NFL football game on Monday, Sept. 26, 2016, in New Orleans. The Falcons won, 45-32. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Atlanta Falcons Kemal Ishmael (36) during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 20,2015 in Jacksonville, FL.
(Tom DiPace via AP)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Robert Alford (23) celebrates during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Monday, Sept. 26, 2016, in New Orleans. Atlanta won 45-32. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant (21) celebrates picking off Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Atlanta Falcons safety Ricardo Allen (37) sets on defense against the Miami Dolphins Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016 in an NFL pre-season game in Orlando, Fla. Miami won 17 - 6. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Atlanta Falcons kicker Matt Bryant (3) follows through on a field goal against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Atlanta Falcons punter Matt Bosher (5) kicks against the Washington Redskins Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016 in a pre-season NFL opening game in Atlanta. The Falcons won 23 - 17. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Long snapper Josh Harris (47) of the Atlantic Falcons watches play against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan stadium October 25, 2015 in Nashville. The Falcons won 10 - 7. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
