The Seahawks are in Atlanta this weekend to face the Falcons, who are led by head coach Dan Quinn, a former Seahawks defensive coordinator under Pete Carroll. To learn more about the Falcons ahead of Sunday's game, we reached out to Kelsey Conway from AtlantaFalcons.com to learn more about Seattle's Week 8 opponent.
Q: What is the status of quarterback Matt Ryan heading into the game? How could his injury be a factor if he does play, or how confident are the Falcons in Matt Schaub if his number is called?
Conway: Matt Ryan is questionable to play, as of Friday afternoon. He returned to practice on Friday after not practicing on Wednesday or Thursday. If Ryan is unable to go, the Falcons have full confidence in Matt Schaub who knows the system really well. Schaub also said he's confident in himself and his ability to carry the team if he's the starter.
Q: This season has obviously not gone how many people would have expected, what are a few of the main reasons why a team most considered a playoff contender has gotten off to such a rough start?
Conway: You're right, no one expected this start from the Falcons. This season has come down to a few things: The Falcons haven't started games the way they need too. Too many times the Falcons have trailed more than two scores by the half and it's made it really hard for Atlanta's offense to operate the way they want to be able to when they're down so many points. The Falcons have rallied back in many of the games, it's just been too late. Two other big reasons for the 1-6 start are the Falcons' inability to get pressure on opponents' quarterbacks, Atlanta ranks last in the league in sacks with five. Also, the Falcons' defense hasn't been able to get off the field on third down. Opponents are converting more than 50 percent of the time on third down and it's simply just been too easy at times.
Q: The pass rush, or lack thereof, has gotten a lot of attention, but what else has contributed to a difficult season for Dan Quinn's defense?
Conway: Not getting enough pressure is a big reason for the Falcons' defensive problems because the way it's affecting the secondary. The Falcons are relatively inexperienced in the secondary with cornerback Isaiah Oliver earing a starting role in just his second year as well as the injuries to Desmond Trufant and Keanu Neal. The Falcons lost Neal for the season in Year 3 and his production is hard to replace. Veteran cornerback Desmond Trufant has also been injured recently and has missed some time. The unit just hasn't been clicking on all levels and it's made it difficult to overcome. The Falcons are playing the run well this year, it's the pass defense and inability to get off the field on third down that have been a few of Atlanta's issues defensively.
Q: What are the reasons for optimism that the Falcons can still right the ship and be competitive going forward?
Conway: The offense. When the Falcons can protect (a healthy Matt Ryan) it's hard to stop Atlanta's offense. And the scary part is, the Falcons' offensive players will say they probably haven't played their best game yet and they've had some really good games. The offense has too much talent to be written off and no one in Atlanta's locker room is ready to call it a season, everyone still believes they can get this thing in the right direction and that starts with Dan Quinn's leadership at the top.
Q: If Ryan is out/limited by injury, how important will it be to get Devonta Freeman going in what has been a somewhat quiet start to the season for him?
Conway: It will be huge and when he's been able to get going early on in games, it's really helped the Falcons establish tempo. Matt Ryan played one of his best games against the Arizona Cardinals leading the Falcons back from a 17-point hole and a big reason for his success was Freeman's play. The Falcons have yet to run the ball for over 100 yards consecutively and it's an area they want to get more consistent. If Ryan can't go, Freeman helping to carry the load will be vital.
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.
