Green Bay Numbers (1...and 130)

If the Packers are going to beat the Seahawks and get to the Super Bowl, they must dictate terms to the Seahawks.

Game 1...Aaron Rodgers was 23-33 for 189 yards. (Just 5 passes thrown 15 yards beyond the line of scrimmage. 1 completion for 23 yards)
Seahawks safety Cam Chancellor was free to play as an extra linebacker and shut down the Packers running attack ... 80 yards on 21 carries...(3.8 average)
Green Bay has to challenge the Seattle secondary in order to open up their run game. Randall Cobb down field, and Jordy Nelson from the slot more to negate Richard Sherman.
The key to beating Seattle in Seattle over the past two seasons is dictating terms to them Arizona 2013 - Rushed for 132 yards. Dallas 2014 - 162 yards (4.5). Carolina 2015 - 132 yards (4.4)

Seattle Numbers (13.5...and 0)

The Seahawks have won 11 of their past 12 ball games, including their past 6 home games. Seattle's averagee margin of victory at home in those six games has been almost two touchdowns at 13.5 points.
The defense at home is giving up just 12 points per game in their past 6 games.
Since losing to Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys on October 12th, the Seahawks have not seen another top 10 rated passer in the NFL. (0)
The best quarterback they've seen since Romo from a ratings stand point was Alex Smith, who had the 12th highest rating in the league, and he delivered the Seahawks their last loss.

Colts Numbers (7-1...and 23)

The Colts are looking to break-through the Manning and Brady AFC road block.
The Colts were 11-5 in 2014, losing four games to Manning, Brady, Roethlisberger and Romo.
Since losing to New England on November 16th, The Colts are 7-1.
In going 7-1, the Colts beat five teams that were under .500. Their one loss was to Dallas who beat them 42-7. Their playoff run began with a banged up Bengals team and has reached this point by facing a very hobbled Peyton Manning.
We always talk about the importance of 27 points. Avg 27, you tend to be a good team. Score 27, good enough to win most ball games. Over the past 8 games, the Colts are averging 23 points per game.

New England Numbers (28)

I have no bad news for New England. They've reached this point where they look like the only legit challenger to Seattle. The Patriots are 6-2 since November 16th when they matched up on Sunday night against the Colts.
Including that game, they have now beaten Luck, Rivers, Stafford, and Flacco.
Interestingly enough, The Patriots are averaging 28 points per game over their last 8 games.

Falcons 4-3 Challenges

From various reports, the Atlanta Falcons coaching search appears to be coming to a close. Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is the odds on favorite to land the job as the next Falcons head coach. Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin also appears to be an acceptable option. The defensive philosophies for each of these two coaches would instantly pose challenges to the Falcons personnel as soon as the hiring takes place. As the 32nd ranked defense in the NFL, that’s not exactly a surprise to Falcons fans.

When you take a look at what Dan Quinn runs in Seattle, Quinn is a proponent of an under 4-3 defense. Taking a look at the Seahawks on film, the team is not complicated. They depend on the front four to apply pressure, linebackers who can run, and a secondary filled with big athletes who can cover ground. The big key here for Falcons fans is that while the edge pass rushers are important, the interior defensive line play holds just as much value.

Blue = Defensive Ends
Yellow = 1-technique tackle
Red = 3-technique tackle

In the Seahawks 4-3, the 1-technique tackle is charged with taking up two blockers on every down. The goal of the 1-technique is the control the line of scrimmage while also setting up 1-on-1 opportunities for his fellow defensive linemen.

For the Atlanta Falcons, this job would fall on DT Paul Soliai. Soliai is ideal as a space eating nose tackle who allows for 3-4 inside linebackers to flow to the play and make tackles. But playing the 1-techique would ask him to fight off the double team in the run game and make plays in his gap.

The big area of concern if the Falcons move to running the 4-3 under defense is who will play the 3-technique? This defensive tackle must be capable of defeating interior offensive linemen 1-on-1 and pressuring opposing quarterbacks. They must be the interior game wrecker, think Warren Sapp.

For the Falcons, the 3-technique would likely signal a sink-or-swim situation for defensive tackle Rashede Hageman. Coming out of college, Hageman was considered possibly versatile enough to play the 3-technique in a 4-3 defense because of his brute strength and athleticism. The problem is that this player can’t take plays off due to the importance of the position. Hageman, has had a history with this dating back to his days in Minnesota. For a player who turns 25 in August, Hageman will either grab hold of the position or fall out of favor quickly.

With the Falcons holding the 8th overall pick in the upcoming draft, everyone is aware that the Falcons are in need of a pressure player in the passing game. The ideal pass rushing defensive end for this defense must have the physical size to also handle the run game. Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett weighs in at 275lbs, while counterpart Cliff Avril checks in at 265lbs. This is where Falcons fans must understand that you are out of the Vic Beasley business if you are running this defense. There’s no room for 235lbs guys. It’s time to start thinking about Florida’s Dante Fowler or Kentucky’s Bud Dupree (both 265lbs).

Keep in mind as well, moving from a 3-4 multiple defense to a 4-3 under means significant changes to the respsonsibilities and roles for the Falcons linebackers. While Paul Worrilow will likely remain at MLB, re-signing Sean Weatherspoon as a run-and-hit WLB will grow in importance. Perhaps last year’s 4th round pick, Prince Shembo, can find a home on the strong-side as he has a college history of being a physical player capable of handling strong side responsibilities.

And that’s just the front seven. This is going to take time whether it’s Dan Quinn or Teryl Austin. But anything is an improvement over the 32nd ranking in the league.

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