The Seahawks (1-1) host the Falcons Sunday looking to bounce back from a tough Week 2 loss to the 49ers. Atlanta, which spent the week practicing at the University of Washington after last week's game in L.A., is looking for its first win of the season after dropping close games to New Orleans and the Rams. To help get you ready for Sunday's game, we reached out to Falcons digital managing editor Scott Blair with five questions about this week's opponent:
What went into the decision to stay on the West Coast all week, and what are the Falcons hoping to get out of the trip?
Bair: The Falcons don't travel to the West Coast often, and they asked the NFL to scheduled their NFC road trips back to back so they could avoid making two cross country treks.
Cutting down on travel was the primary reason for staying in Seattle all week, but they are also hoping to use this time to come together and bond as a team. Last week's loss to the Rams didn't kick the trip off right, but they're working hard to rebound and get their first win of the season on Sunday.
It's popular in sports to say there's no such thing as moral victories, but the Falcons have been awfully close in both of their losses. Is there a sense within the team that they're close to breaking out, or is it frustration that they've come up short in back-to-back weeks?
Bair: The Falcons started the 2021 season at 0-2 and this campaign the same way, but, to your point, this 0-2 feels very different than a year ago. The Falcons feel much better about where they are offensively and defensively this time around. They're running the ball well behind a resurgent offensive line. They're creating turnovers and quarterback pressure at a solid clip.
And while they're disappointed in their overall record, they think they're ready to break through and play the complete game required to get a win.
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There's be a decent amount of buzz around here about the Seahawks' rookie class contributing early. It sounds like there's a similar situation in Atlanta? What have Drake London and company added to the team early this season?
Bair: The Falcons are counting on their draft class quite a bit this season, and have gotten solid returns from Drake London and second-round pick Arnold Ebiketie.
Drake London is an early favorite to win offensive rookie of the year, and will be a contender if he continues playing like he has to start the season. He's a big-receiver who is both a deep threat and a catch-and-run receiver who can seemingly do it all.
Also keep an eye out for fifth-round running back Tyler Allgeier, who has assumed a larger role with veteran Damien Williams on injured reserve. The BYU product is a tough, physical runner who excels between the tackles and in short-yardage situations.
Who is a player or players who you think could be an X-factor for the Falcons on Sunday?
Bair: I think this game will come down to how much quarterback pressure the Falcons can generate on Geno Smith. Veteran Lorenzo Cater could play a huge role off the edge. If he gets going and is winning one-on-one matchups, the front seven can be impactful in harassing the quarterback and creating turnovers, as they have so often over the first two games.
What matchup or matchups are you most looking forward to seeing play out in this game?
Bair: That's an easy one. I can't wait to see how the Falcons cornerbacks handle DK Metcalf. AJ Terrell and Casey Hayward are some of the best in the business, and could be effective even against an elite talent like Metcalf. Terrell has struggled some in the red zone and given up a bunch of touchdowns to top receivers, so he'll have to be ready for those important situations on Sunday.
The Seahawks and the Falcons will meet this Sunday at Lumen Field during Week 3 of the 2022 season. Take a look back at photos from past games 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.
