The stage was set for the Falcons to make a Super Bowl run for the first time in four years. As was the case the last time they were built to win a championship, they had to beat the Seahawks at home to play in the NFC Championship.
This was a Super Bowl-winning, battle-tested group filled with stars on both sides of the ball. While the Legion of Boom wasn’t as dominant as it once was, Russell Wilson’s ascendance into becoming a top-tier quarterback gave them plenty of firepower to win another Super Bowl.
The Falcons were drastically different, with a new coaching staff, identity, and growing nucleus of young talent. Although the quarterback was the same in Atlanta, his progression into becoming the NFL’s MVP made everyone across the league recognize the Falcons were a force to be reckoned with.
Leading a historically great offense in the regular season, Matt Ryan was ready to prove that all the months of mastering Kyle Shanahan’s system and taking his game to new heights would pay off in the playoffs. The potential final game ever played in the Georgia Dome also loomed over this matchup. What better way for Ryan to send off the place he revitalized in 2008 to playoff glory in 2016?
War ready
The Falcons felt like a much different team from the one that fell short against the Seahawks in October. Several players emerged as difference makers on both sides of the ball. Ryan and Shanahan were fully in sync as the orchestrators of an electrifying offense. The only lingering aspect from the previous matchup came within the trenches.
Michael Bennett was vocal about his displeasure with Jake Matthews’ cut block in the first meeting. While this wasn’t going to turn into a public feud like Roddy White and Richard Sherman, it was something to monitor, given Bennett’s ruthless style of play.
Both teams produced touchdown-scoring drives that went for seven minutes and 13+ plays to start the game. To nobody’s surprise, Ryan targeted Sherman without hesitation, like in the playoff meeting back in 2013 between these teams. Julio Jones caught both passes against the stellar corner for first downs, using his powerful frame and blistering change-of-direction ability in winning the matchup.
The success culminated in a seven-yard touchdown to Jones that completely caught Seattle off guard. With Sherman playing seven yards off coverage, the seven-time Pro Bowler cut inside behind Mohamed Sanu to accelerate into the end zone. Shanahan was two steps ahead of most opposing coaches during the season. That transferred over into the divisional round.
He was becoming known for tearing apart defenses that primarily play Cover 3. Understanding where to attack and capitalize on schematic flaws gave Ryan the platform to succeed with quicker passes toward the middle of the field. A 37-yard dart to Taylor Gabriel, who was bursting off a slant, set the tone through the air.
Statement before the half
From Gabriel catching the pass in stride past DeShawn Shead to creating the space for the dynamic playmaker to gain yards after the catch, Ryan and Shanahan were in unison on how to dissect the most dominant defense of the 2010s. That led to a nine-play, 99-yard drive, which felt like a clean left hook to the jaw of Seattle’s defense.
Before continuing their assault on the middle of the field, Mohamed Sanu made one of the plays of the game with a tremendous catch over Jeremy Lane on a deep corner route from the slot. Ryan lofted it up perfectly for Sanu to make the contested grab in stride. After an incompletion, the 2016 NFL MVP completed four consecutive passes that went for 12 yards or more.
Gabriel and Sanu made plays across the middle, as Ryan was maneuvering around collapsing pockets with conviction. Although the Seahawks did produce three sacks, they consistently paid the price when trying to bring extra pressure. Slants were proving to be a nightmare for them, as their corners couldn’t keep pace in their respective matchups. Jones fell after catching one slant, yet still managed to gain 20 yards to put the Falcons in the red zone.
All it took was one brilliant play call from the offensive mastermind to go the full field for a touchdown. An overload to the left with Gabriel, Austin Hooper, and Tevin Coleman running routes had the potential to create a coverage bust. With Jones coming from the right on a shallow cross, Seattle had to account for four players on one side of the field.
Not picking up a running back coming out of the backfield on a wheel route is a common defensive mistake. When three other pass-catching options are involved in the play, including the most dominant wide receiver in the league running in front of Bobby Wagner and Kam Chancellor, the defense is going to be left wondering what just hit them. That’s exactly what happened as Coleman was wide open in the back of the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown.
For a defense built on striking fear into their opponent with their imposing style and exceptional all-around talent, they looked overmatched in this matchup. Desperation can be felt when watching the Seahawks. With Ryan’s leadership qualities and Dan Quinn’s familiarity, the Falcons had the experience to combat whatever Seattle would try to do defensively to get under their skin and disrupt their rhythm.
The ultimate leader
Starting the second half with a 13-play, 75-yard touchdown drive would serve as another devastating blow to an increasingly damaged opponent. There were multiple third-and-long conversions as Ryan connected with Jones and Gabriel standing tall in the pocket. How he mustered enough strength to get the ball to Gabriel, as Frank Clark delivered a crushing hit, was hugely impressive. Atlanta’s new beloved playmaker showed great concentration in adjusting his route to make the key reception.
Besides Devonta Freeman scoring a one-yard touchdown, the most significant aspect of the drive came after it was over. Bennett lost control of his emotions by attacking Ryan Schreader after the play. He went to the extent of putting his fingers into the right tackle’s eyes. There was no way Ryan was letting that go. With Hooper beside him, they got into it with Bennett, as Chancellor also got involved.
No flags were surprisingly thrown, but the message was clear. The Seahawks knew they couldn’t stop the Falcons. After bullying opponents for years, they couldn’t process being on the receiving end of it in the playoffs. Ryan immediately huddled his offense together to tell them not to engage in fights and stay poised. It was a powerful moment in recognizing how the game was shifting. The franchise quarterback knew the only way they would lose was if they beat themselves.
That wasn’t going to happen. With Quinn’s defense doing enough to prevent touchdowns, the offense was in position to put the game away. Converting third downs is one of the best ways to take the spirit out of an opposing defense. The Falcons converted six out of 12 of them. Each one felt consequential, as the game wore on.
As Seattle rushed five on third and 4th, Freeman ran an angle route out of the backfield with Cliff Avril spot dropping near him. Ryan had to throw off his back foot to avoid getting sacked by Clark. He got just enough lift on it for Freeman to catch it before Avril could make a play on the ball.
Once Freeman gets into the open field, the nearest defender is likely going to lose his balance being on the receiving end of his signature cuts. Steven Terrell lost his balance immediately after Freeman changed direction on a 53-yard gain. While the drive ended in a field goal, a 29-13 lead felt massive.
One defensive stop felt all that was needed to be in a prime position to win. There isn’t a much better way to do it than your tremendous safety tandem combining to create a turnover. Keanu Neal’s hit on Wilson forced a wobbly throw that felt like it was in the air for ten minutes. The ball had to land in someone’s hands, given how long it had been floating. Ricardo Allen was there to pounce to produce on it in a special moment.
There was still work to be done with eight minutes left. Levine Toilolo got the message, taking a quick throw into the flat for 18 yards with a nasty stiff arm on Neiko Thorpe and then carrying Wagner for a few extra yards. With the running game wearing out Seattle’s defense, it gave Ryan the chance to secure his second career playoff win in style.
A goal line fade to Sanu, putting the ball where only he could catch it, did exactly that. The confidence Ryan exuded lifted the team to dismantle an opponent who were Super Bowl contenders for years. Throwing for 338 yards and three touchdowns in any playoff game is a tremendous feat. Taking the initiative to keep the offense composed as the opposing defense desperately tries to provoke you is very commendable. That’s the leadership great quarterbacks have to ensure their teams come out on top in the playoffs.
To make the win even more gratifying, Green Bay beat top-seeded Dallas the following day. That meant one more game would be played in the Georgia Dome. You couldn’t think of a better scenario to send off the iconic stadium than by winning the NFC championship.
The matchup felt right, as the Falcons’ season began to shift after their dramatic win over the Packers in October. That was one of Ryan’s finest performances of his career. He was ready to deliver another one in leading this special team to the Super Bowl.
The Matt Ryan Masterclass Series List
Thursday night takeover in Atlanta
Rookie heroics against Chicago
