National Football League playoffs: Key information for the Divisional Round Saturday games

After slightly underwhelming games to begin the postseason, we get to start the next round with what should be a fantastic game.

Saturday’s Divisional Round game between the Seattle Seahawks and Atlanta Falcons will feature the key matchup between Richard Sherman and Julio Jones, two players who were at the center of a controversial play at the end of Seattle’s 26-24 win over Atlanta back in Week 6.

If seeing the Seahawks once against struggle to play a clean game felt like deja vu, don’t worry.

With the Seattle Seahawks getting the ball first in the Georgia Dome for the first 2017 NFC Divisional Playoff Game, they looked to set the tone.

“I’m not talking to no refs or anything like that”, Jones said.

Their October matchup, a 26-24 Seahawks victory in Seattle, produced a fantastic amount of offense – almost 700 total yards between both teams – and some excellent defense, with neither unit allowing better than a 36 percent third-down conversion rate.

Another big performance like that from Seattle’s defensive line is likely required if the Seahawks are going to take down the No. 1 scoring offense in the National Football League during the regular season.

“They didn’t run for a lot of yards but they ran enough and I thought that was a big part”, Carroll said.

Hard to blame them.

Seattle had seven penalties for 40 yards, but the impact of those fouls was much more devastating.

Wilson only threw for 179 yards, but did so on only 23 passing attempts.

He was the superior quarterback to Russell Wilson (two touchdowns, two interceptions, 75.0 rating). Jones was in and out of the game with what the Falcons said is a foot injury before heading to the locker room for good during the fourth quarter. “We were just being us”. Le’Veon Bell’s slashing running style should pose difficulties for a KC defense allowing 130 yards rushing per game and 4.8 yards per carry in home games.

The running back tandem had success on the ground, as well, totaling 96 yards. This game will be about offense, and their isn’t an offense better than Atlanta’s, so history will repeat itself, and Atlanta will move on. They have two rookie stars in Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott, but again experience and Quarterback play could very well be the difference.

The Falcons had opening touchdown drives in their final six games of the regular season and went 75 yards in 13 plays to tie the game 7-7.

It’s no surprise that most of these teams lasted this far.

It was the most points and yards allowed by the Seahawks in their past five playoff appearances. I think this ends up the closest game of the weekend, with the Falcons winning by a field goal. And Atlanta was able to take advantage. However, a holding call on Kevin Pierre-Lewis brought the ball back all the way to the Seahawks 10.

If Seattle wants to compete in this game, their offense will have to play like they did last week. Much like their 30-16 win over the Packers in Week 6, the Cowboys will be coming into this game as heavy favorites, especially with Packers’ wide receiver Jordy Nelson out for the game.

“We had a shot and we made a mistake”.