ClutchPoints
The Seattle Seahawks’ top receiver will try to bounce back from a dud, while the Atlanta Falcons are hoping to get their best receiver back on the field. And here are bold predictions for the Week 14 clash between the Seahawks and Falcons.
Seattle enters with a record of 9-3 as they chase the Bears for the NFC’s top record. Meanwhile, the Falcons are struggling through a tough season with a record of 4-8. They will meet at 1 p.m. (ET) in Atlanta.
Forget that dud against the Vikings. Smith-Njigba will come back with a vengeance this week. The Falcons won’t be able to hold him in check.
Smith-Njigba is the No. 1-ranked receiver in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus. He has a season receiving grade of 93.7.
The Vikings put in a game plan to slow Smith-Njigba down, but it didn’t change the outcome in a 26-0 blowout. Zone coverage was prevalent, according to seattletimes.com.
“A lot of zone looks, a lot of cloud coverage, a lot of help over there toward my side, which is fine,” Smith-Njigba said. “That’s the name of the game. Other components gotta hit, and they did. So (I’m) happy we got the win.”
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold said the offense took things in stride.
“I think it goes both ways,” Darnold said. “I think if teams pressure us, we can make them pay. If teams don’t pressure us, sometimes they can put guys in certain areas to take Jaxon away. Today I just felt like they did a really good job. They had a good plan. Again, we’ve got to look at ourselves in the mirror and see how we can be better.”
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said Darnold didn’t play up to his standards in the first half. But he got better after the break.
“Thought he made some smart decisions, fast decisions,” Macdonald said. “Got away from the rush well. I know it sounds weird, but he took some good sacks actually in some of those critical moments, which is good team football. Did a great job. There is a lot of things he’s doing outside of the pass game in that second half that really helped us win the game as well, so operating at a high level.”
The Falcons have a good pass defense, ranking No. 8 in the NFL. They allowed 187.8 yards per game. But look for Macdonald and Darnold to find ways to get the ball to their best player. That’s especially true early in the game.
Whether it’s on the ground or through the air, Robinson will be able to help the Falcons move the ball. He’s coming off a 193-yard effort against the Jets.
And while things won’t be that easy against the Seahawks, look for the Falcons to lean on Robinson.
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