Seahawks’ LOB Facing Toughest Test Yet Against Atlanta
By Ben Renner
The Seahawks’ Legion of Boom, or Love our Brothers, will take on a high-flying offense led by MVP candidate Matt Ryan missing its foundation, how will Seattle’s defense adjust?
This Divisional Round matchup for the Seahawks is a crucial moment for the team for many reasons. Obviously, losing in Atlanta to the Falcons would end the Seahawks’ season in the same round as last year, a disappointment for a fanbase that expects championship rings on a regular basis.
But this game is bigger than this season. I disagreed with Bill Wixey’s assessment of the Seahawks’ championship window, but I also conceded that how the team performs with a bare-bones offensive line and without their best defender will be telling for the future.
We could be witnessing the end of the cheap O-line experiment in Seattle, with Tom Cable linked to several head coaching jobs, including in San Francisco (wouldn’t that be great?). We could be witnessing another transition with the team in general, hopefully in a positive way, similar to how the Seahawks responded to their heartbreaking loss to the Falcons in this very same place in the very same round four years ago.
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So this is a big game, but you don’t need me to list all the reasons why you should watch and get excited. It’s the playoffs. The Seahawks are three wins away from another Super Bowl ring. And this year’s Falcons are the biggest test the LOB has ever faced.
The NFC South champion Falcons scored the most points in the league this year. They averaged almost 34 points per game. They were second in the league in offensive yards per game, third in passing, and fifth in rushing. Quarterback Matt Ryan fell 36 yards short of 5,000 passing on the year, throwing 38 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Julio Jones caught 83 passes for 1409 yards and six of those touchdowns.
I know what you’re thinking. The Seahawks have played ridiculously productive offenses before. Super 48 is a prime example, and Seattle has beaten both the Falcons and the New England Patriots this year. But all of those wins were with All-World safety Earl Thomas on the field.
The Seahawks were missing a few key players against the Falcons the first time around. Michael Bennett was injured in the critical fourth quarter of that game. Frank Clark missed the game. But now, headed to the Georgia Dome, they face the best offense in the league missing their best defensive player. I’ve written about how crucial Thomas is before, and if you’re reading this, you don’t need a rehash of what he means to the LOB. Missing him for this game makes the Falcons the fiercest test the LOB has faced since they became the LOB.
The big question will be how the Seahawks defense adjusts to missing their brain. This will be the biggest assignment of defensive coordinator Kris Richard‘s career. How will he adjust to missing Thomas down the middle of the field? He’ll have his full compliment of pass-rushers in this game, with Bennett and Clark healthy and active to go along with Cliff Avril and company. Steven Terrell held his own against Matt Stafford and the Lions, but the Matt Ryan-to-Julio Jones connection is a different animal entirely in hostile territory.
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Richard’s adjustments will win or lose this game and possibly affect the team’s trajectory going forward. Are you ready? The game will be broadcast at 1:25 pm on FOX.