When the Falcons stumbled to a 24-2 loss against the Giants in the playoffs last season, they failed to convert a pair of fourth downs that helped swing the game to the Giants.
This is a new year, though, and fourth down has worked out a lot better. The Falcons, led by safety William Moore, stuffed Seahawks fullback Michael Robinson for a loss on fourth-and-one from the Atlanta 11-yard line with 5:38 remaining in the half. Three plays later, Matt Ryan hit Roddy White for a 47-yard touchdown pass that extended Atlanta’s lead to 20-0 with four minutes to go in the half.
Seattle failed to get the first down on a run by Robert Turbin on third down, raising the question of why Marshawn Lynch and Russell Wilson weren’t the guys trying to get the first down in a situation the Seahawks deemed critical. The Falcons defense may have stoned them as easily as they did Turbin and Robinson, but you gotta go down with your best players.
Ryan is 9-of-12 for 107 yards and two touchdowns since a first quarter interception. And the Falcons are rolling in Atlanta.