Atlanta Falcons (5-4 SU, 3-6 ATS) vs. Seattle Seahawks (6-3 SU, 3-5-1 ATS)
Week 11 NFL
Date/Time: Monday Night Football, November 20, 2017 at 8:30PM EST
Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington
TV: ESPN
By Loot, NFL Football Handicapper, Lootmeister.com
Point Spread: ATL +3/SEA -3
Over/Under Total: 45
The Atlanta Falcons come to CenturyLink to face the Seattle Seahawks in a high-powered NFC battle on Monday Night Football. The Seahawks moved to 6-3 on Thursday Night Football on the 9th in a 22-16 road win over the Cardinals. It was a good win, but costly in terms of injuries. They have the long week to prepare for the incoming Falcons. On Sunday, Atlanta was able to beat a hot Cowboys team, 27-7, at home to go to 5-4. They now look to make a little run to make up for an uneven first-half of the season. But they face a tough road test against the Seahawks on MNF.
With Arizona scoring a touchdown against the Seahawks with 20 seconds left, the game perhaps wasn't as close as the 22-16 final score read. It was a nice win with a solid showing on both sides of the ball. In many ways, it was a typical Seahawks win. But there was a lot of collateral damage, especially with the season-ending Achilles injury to Richard Sherman. A lot of others were banged up and against a Falcons team in atonement mode, they might have a really physical game on their hands on MNF.
The Seattle offense hasn't been bad, especially aerially. Russell Wilson showcased his flair for the dramatic last Thursday, as well as his ability to overcome a lot of pass-rushers. The line got a boost with the signing of LT Duane Brown, but he left the game with a sprained ankle in the first half. Wilson was run a bit ragged, but ended up connecting on two touchdown passes to TE Jimmy Graham, going for 238 yards. WR Doug Baldwin had a big game with 95 receiving yards and made some big plays, especially on a 54-yard reception. Paul Richardson made a big catch. Eddie Lacy was banged up and didn't play, with Thomas Rawls unable to get anything going in the run-game, an ongoing trouble-area for the Seahawks. CJ Prosise sprained his ankle again and getting much in this area has been a big issue for Seattle. They are 6-3 without many contributions on the ground, making you wonder how good they'd be if they could manufacture a late-blooming run-game this season.
An already-battered Seattle defense got some more bad news on Thursday with the season-ending loss to Richard Sherman. With Earl Thomas having missed time, and Kam Chancellor hurt, the Legion of Doom is in some disarray right now. Even somewhat intact, they haven't been as dependable this season. We'll see if Chancellor and Thomas are able to come off the long week healthy enough to contribute. Shaquill Griffin is a rising force as a corner, but they could be a little thin in this area, an obvious area of concern against an offense like the Falcons. The middle is still in good hands, especially with Bobby Wagner and KJ Wright. The line played well on Thursday, holding Adrian Peterson to very little, while also getting after the QB. It looks like Dion Jordan could be a factor, as he had a sack in his first action since 2014. Michael Bennett is a factor, with Sheldon Richardson making some plays, along with Nazair Jones. Impactful DE Frank Clark left the game with a thigh injury, as the injuries piled up, with starters LB Michael Wilhoite and Jarran Reed also leaving the game.
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The Falcons have certainly had their issues this season. Before scoring the nice win against Dallas on Sunday, they had lost four of five games. And it was how they lost those games, with opponents scoring comeback wins. Their win against the Cowboys was their first home win since week two. What a home win over an Elliott-less Dallas team means in the big picture is up for debate, but the win could have a steadying affect for a team that hadn't been catching a lot of breaks over the past month-plus. While Devonta Freeman is being evaluated for a possible concussion, they have generally gotten a bit healthier and maybe they can make a run in the second-half.
Reigning NFL MVP Matt Ryan hasn't been his vintage self. Even on Sunday, he was efficient on 22-for-29 passing and two touchdowns, with just 215 yards, which is in-keeping with what he's been coming up with in an aerial attack that has taken a step back this season. Julio Jones and Taylor Gabriel had some nice catches, with TD strikes being caught by Justin Hardy and Austin Hooper, but they've been operating at a lower gear this season. The same applies to the run-game. After Freeman left the game early, Tevin Coleman sprung to life with 83 yards, including a second quarter touchdown run.
The Atlanta defense was pretty impressive against Dallas on Sunday. After a mid-first quarter touchdown run by Dak Prescott, the Falcons allowed nothing from the Cowboys for the duration of the game. The star of this side of the ball on Sunday was DE Adrian Clayborn, who sacked Prescott six times! Brooks Reed and Dontari Poe also had sacks. LB Deion Jones had some big plays and having Vic Beasley in there and healthy opens up things for other players. And with Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford at the corners with safeties Ricardo Allen and Keanu Neal, the secondary has actually been pretty good this season, despite all of Atlanta's first-half issues in 2017. From a stoutness standpoint, there isn't much to separate them from last season's group. But the 8 sacks on Sunday was almost half of what they've gotten all season. And they haven't really been making big plays with just two interceptions on the whole season.
The idea of an Atlanta team that has perhaps gotten their act together and is rising to the occasion could be trouble for the Seahawks, even at home. The injuries have added up on defense and the inconsistency on the other side of the ball make them a dicey proposition. Not that beating the Cowboys at home makes the Falcons great all of a sudden, but they should be expected to perform this week. I envision a highly-competitive team between two teams that still need to be accounted for. I'll take the points.
Loot's Prediction to Cover the Point Spread: I'm betting on the Atlanta Falcons plus 3 points. Tired of your credit card not working for sportsbook deposit? End that problem today and bet the Falcons vs. Seahawks game by signing up at Bovada Sportsbook where your credit card WILL work and where you'll receive a generous 50% sign-up bonus!
