The Atlanta Falcons may have the home field advantage in their division playoff game this Sunday afternoon, but lately the Falcons have looked far from invincible. History is not on Atlanta’s side in the season that matters most – the post season.
The last time Atlanta had the No. 1 seed was two years ago when they lost to the Packers 48-21. Atlanta is once again the top dog in the NFC, but they certainly won’t have it easy this time around either as the surging Seahawks come to town.
This game is huge for the Falcons, and not just because of the obvious.
Atlanta is a gaudy 56-24 in five seasons under Coach Mike Smith. However they are 0-3 in the playoffs over their last four appearances and the usually unbeatable Matt Ryan is 0-3 in his playoff career.
Let’s face facts here, if the Falcons lose another playoff game at home, and “Matty Ice” falls to 0-4 in his playoff career, is it time to think about a coaching change?
Smith has been one of the best coaches in the NFL over the past five seasons, but the post season is what the fans, and owners, remember most.
The Seahawks are the only Wild Card team left in the 2013 playoffs, but they are more than capable of pulling off the upset Sunday.
Rookie QB Russell Wilson may be the best first year quarterback out of the incredible class of 2012, but it will be Seattle’s running game that will have to shine if the Seahawks want to pull off the upset.
The Las Vegas line as of Jan. 12 has Atlanta at -3 and the over/under number at 46.5.
It’s hard to pick against the No. 1 seed, but the NFC Wild Card teams have had a certain mojo the last few seasons - including the last two Super Bowl winners, the Packers and Giants.
Pick – Seattle +3
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