This will be the third meeting in 13 months between the teams. Last October in Seattle, the Seahawks were 7-point favourites and rallied for a 26-24 victory.

Point Spread and Betting Analysis

The Falcons outscored the Seahawks 21-0 in the third quarter last October to take a 24-17 lead into the fourth. Seattle won it on a field goal with 1:57 to play. Atlanta had plenty of time after that to score but there was a controversial no-call on a Matt Ryan fourth-down pass to Julio Jones that looked like defensive pass interference. Ryan threw for 335 yards and three scores.

In the divisional round of the playoffs at the old Georgia Dome, the Falcons were 6.5-point favourites and crushed the Seahawks 36-20. Ryan threw for 338 yards and three more scores. Atlanta’s defense picked off Russell Wilson twice. The Falcons are coached by Dan Quinn, a former Seattle defensive coordinator.

Seattle is 8-2 SU in its past 10 as at least a 3-point home favourite but 4-5-1 ATS. Atlanta has lost its past three as a road dog (1-2 ATS).

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons (5-4 SU, 3-6 ATS) were the first beneficiaries of the six-game suspension of Cowboys star running back Ezekiel Elliott being reinstated as Atlanta shut down visiting Dallas on Sunday, 27-7. The Falcons, not exactly a defensive powerhouse, held the Cowboys to 233 total yards. Matt Ryan threw for 215 yards and two scores. No. 1 running back Devonta Freeman left in the first quarter with a possible concussion and Tevin Coleman rushed 20 times for 83 yards and a score.

It’s a lock that Atlanta defensive end Adrian Clayborn will be named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week as he was a one-man wrecking crew vs. the Cowboys with a team-record six sacks. He had just two this year entering the game. The NFL record is seven by late Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas, set in 1990.

Seattle Seahawks

There’s definitely such a thing as a very costly win, and that was the case for Seattle (6-3 SU, 3-5-1 ATS) in its 22-16 victory at NFC West rival Arizona on Thursday in Week 9. That’s because the Seahawks lost one of the best cornerbacks of the decade and potential Hall of Famer in Pro Bowler Richard Sherman to a season-ending ruptured Achilles’ tendon. Sherman, who has never missed a game in his seven-year career, had often publicly railed against the dangers to players of playing Thursday nights. His 32 interceptions are by far the most in the NFL since he arrived in 2011 even though QBs rarely throw his way these days.

Seattle’s defense, anchored by the Legion of Boom secondary, has been the NFL’s best against the pass in the past seven years. Russell Wilson threw two TD passes in the win, both to tight end Jimmy Graham. He now has six TD catches in the past five games after a slow start.

Weather

temp	45
condition	cloudy
wind	East 6mph

Injuries

Atlanta

LaRoy Reynolds (LB)

Prob Sat Knee - 10 / 01 / 18

Levine Toilolo (TE)

Prob Sat Knee - 10 / 01 / 18

Devonta Freeman (RB)

Prob Sat Knee - 09 / 01 / 18

Julio Jones (WR)

Prob Sat Ankle - 09 / 01 / 18

Matt Ryan (QB)

Prob Sat Personal - 09 / 01 / 18

Mohamed Sanu (WR)

Prob Sat Knee - 09 / 01 / 18

Adrian Clayborn (DE)

Prob Sat Calf - 02 / 01 / 18

Andy Levitre (G)

I-R Tricep - 02 / 01 / 18

Alex Mack (C)

Prob Sat Calf - 02 / 01 / 18

Andre Roberts (WR)

Prob Sat Knee - 02 / 01 / 18

Seattle

Terence Garvin (LB)

day-to-day Concussion - 31 / 12 / 17

Nick Vannett (TE)

Out Sun Back - 30 / 12 / 17

Bobby Wagner (LB)

Ques Sun Hamstring - 30 / 12 / 17

Jimmy Graham (TE)

Prob Sun Knee - 29 / 12 / 17

Shaquill Griffin (CB)

Ques Sun Hamstring - 29 / 12 / 17

Luke Willson (TE)

Ques Sun Ankle - 29 / 12 / 17

Luke Joeckel (G)

Ques Sun Foot - 26 / 12 / 17

Michael Bennett (DE)

Prob Sun Knee - 21 / 12 / 17

Bradley McDougald (S)

Ques Sun Knee - 21 / 12 / 17

Tramaine Brock (CB)

Prob Sun Foot - 19 / 12 / 17

Injuries

Atlanta

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
LaRoy Reynolds (LB)	Prob Sat	Knee - 10 / 01 / 18	1-0	0-1	+ -
Reynolds is battling a knee injury but is likely to partake in the NFC divisional round against the Eagles.
Levine Toilolo (TE)	Prob Sat	Knee - 10 / 01 / 18	1-0	0-1	+ -
Toilolo will likely suit up against the Eagles in the NFC divisional round despite a knee injury.
Devonta Freeman (RB)	Prob Sat	Knee - 09 / 01 / 18	1-0	0-1	+ -
Freeman was confined to a limited role in practice due to a knee injury but is expected to be available against the Eagles in the NFC divisional round.
Julio Jones (WR)	Prob Sat	Ankle - 09 / 01 / 18	1-0	0-1	+ -
Jones is expected to suit up for the NFC divisional round against the Eagles despite an ankle injury.
Matt Ryan (QB)	Prob Sat	Personal - 09 / 01 / 18	1-0	0-1	+ -
Ryan missed practice due to a personal matter but is expected to play against the Eagles in the NFC divisional round.
Mohamed Sanu (WR)	Prob Sat	Knee - 09 / 01 / 18	1-0	0-1	+ -
Sanu is nursing a knee injury but is expected to take part in the NFC divisional round against the Eagles.
Adrian Clayborn (DE)	Prob Sat	Calf - 02 / 01 / 18	2-0	0-2	+ -
Clayborn will likely line up against the Rams in the NFC wild-card round despite a calf injury.
Andy Levitre (G)	I-R	Tricep - 02 / 01 / 18	2-0	0-2	+ -
Levitre is dealing with a torn triceps and is on injured reserve.
Alex Mack (C)	Prob Sat	Calf - 02 / 01 / 18	2-0	0-2	+ -
Mack was confined to a limited role in practice due to a calf injury but is expected to be available against the Rams in the NFC wild-card round.
Andre Roberts (WR)	Prob Sat	Knee - 02 / 01 / 18	2-0	0-2	+ -
Roberts is nursing injuries to his knee and ankle but is expected to be available against the Rams in the NFC wild-card round.

Seattle

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Terence Garvin (LB)	day-to-day	Concussion - 31 / 12 / 17	1-0	0-1	+ -
Garvin left Sunday's game to be evaluated for a concussion and it is unknown if he will return.
Nick Vannett (TE)	Out Sun	Back - 30 / 12 / 17	1-0	0-1	+ -
Vannett hurt his back and will not play in Sunday's contest against the Cardinals.
Bobby Wagner (LB)	Ques Sun	Hamstring - 30 / 12 / 17	1-0	0-1	+ -
Wagner hurt his hamstring and his availability for Sunday's game against the Cardinals is in question.
Jimmy Graham (TE)	Prob Sun	Knee - 29 / 12 / 17	1-0	0-1	+ -
Graham is expected to suit up against the Cardinals on Sunday despite an injured knee.
Shaquill Griffin (CB)	Ques Sun	Hamstring - 29 / 12 / 17	1-0	0-1	+ -
Griffin injured his hamstring and his status is unclear for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.
Luke Willson (TE)	Ques Sun	Ankle - 29 / 12 / 17	1-0	0-1	+ -
Willson has an ankle injury and it is unknown if it will deter him from suiting up against the Cardinals on Sunday.
Luke Joeckel (G)	Ques Sun	Foot - 26 / 12 / 17	1-0	0-1	+ -
Joeckel suffered a foot injury and it is unclear if he will play Sunday against the Cardinals.
Michael Bennett (DE)	Prob Sun	Knee - 21 / 12 / 17	1-1	1-1	+ -
Bennett is nursing a knee injury but is expected to line up against the Cowboys on Sunday.
Bradley McDougald (S)	Ques Sun	Knee - 21 / 12 / 17	1-1	1-1	+ -
McDougald is dealing with a knee injury and it is unknown if he will play Sunday against the Cowboys.
Tramaine Brock (CB)	Prob Sun	Foot - 19 / 12 / 17	1-1	1-1	+ -
Brock is recovering from a foot injury but is expected to suit up against the Saints in the NFC divisional round.

Falcons vs Seahawks Prediction