It wouldn’t be quite accurate to label Dan Quinn as Pete Carroll Jr., but there’s a whole lot about his NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons that is reminiscent of the Seahawks’ 2013 team that won a Super Bowl when Quinn was defensive coordinator.
Young, aggressive defense (six starters in their first or second years); an offense with a respectable running game that allows for effective play-action; error-free special teams. Then luck — they were mostly healthy at the right time, and with quality depth affordable because they aren’t paying many stars market-rate yet.
Sure, it’s possible to say that formula is hardly unique to Carroll. But when good seeding provided a bye and two home playoff games that became easy wins, it’s theft of the Carrollian script.
As were the words Quinn used after the 36-20 playoff win two weeks ago in the Georgia win over Seattle, which were probably much like the phrases deployed after the Falcons’ 44-21 win over Green Bay Sunday:
“The game was won during the week.” (Carroll has never owned up to a bad week of practice)
“I told the team it was going to be about the ball.” (Win the turnover ratio, win the game)
“Most importantly, I thought the fans lit it up for us tonight. We called for it; they delivered.” (Mandatory gratuitous pandering to the base)
“Having balance for us is the key.” (Even when they don’t have it)
“Matt Ryan was on it like it he has been the entire year.” (Russell Wilson was always on it too)
“The ability to add (running backs as receivers) to our offense has been critical for us.” (Marshawn Lynch’s least-appreciated virtue)
So yes, the Falcons are a lot like the earlier Seahawks. And for the reason of making the Seahawks 11-6-1 look at little better, most Seattle fans will sidle up to the Falcons in Super Bowl LI in Houston.
Too bad.
Probably the biggest difference between this year’s Falcons and Quinn’s first season as Seahawks defensive coordinator was that the Seattle club led the NFL in fewest points allowed (231), fewest yards allowed (4,378), and takeaways (39), respectively, to become the first team to do that since the 1985 Chicago Bears. That’s some serious, Old Testament meanness.
The Falcons defense does not compare to that Seahawks defense.
It’s the kind of defense that would provide a chance against the New England Patriots, whose 36-17 win Sunday was more impressive because the Pittsburgh Steelers were better than the broken-down Packers. Up until now, Green Bay’s many injuries were masked by the play of QB Aaron Rodgers, who until the Falcons game was balling with Marvel Comics super powers.
But when 39-year-old QB Tom Brady throws for a Patriots postseason-record 384 passing yards against the NFL’s No. 1-rated Steelers defense, the Falcons have only a modest chance despite the bravura postseason of QB Matt Ryan.
The insufferable Pats are back. Brady will set the NFL record with a seventh appearance in a Super Bowl, where the Pats are 4-2. The Vegas wise guys have made a three-point favorite of a New England team that hasn’t lost since Nov. 13, when the Seahawks won in Foxborough 31-24 in a game that increasingly looks as mysterious as the statues on Easter Island.
The dream of the NFL and most fans is that the Falcons do make it that close, mostly because in terms of dramatic tension, this season’s playoffs have been flaccid. Average margin of victory in the 10 games is 15.7 points, Only one game, Packers-Cowboys, was close.
Wild card games
Texans 27, Raiders 13
Steelers 30, Dolphins 12
Seahawks 26, Lions 6
Packers 38, Giants 13
Divisional games
Patriots 34, Texans 16
Falcons 36, Seahawks 20
Steelers 18, Chiefs 16
Packers 34, Cowboys 31
Conference championships
Falcons 44, Packers 21
Patriots 36, Steelers 17
But there is this: When the Pats win, Roger Goodell will be forced to make the championship trophy presentation to Brady, owner Robert Kraft and coach Bill Belichick after the commissioner suspended Brady for the season’s first four games for Deflategate, the fingernails across the chalkboard of American sports.
It is difficult to cheer for either side. But at least the Patriots, because they play the game, remain beatable eventually. Goodell in the New York office is untouchable.
Except for one excruciating moment in Houston.
It is a small victory. In times of bleakness, it must be taken.
Nevertheless, go forward, Dan Quinn. As it is written in gridiron scripture, be about the ball.
19 Comments
It appears to me that the Packers and Seahawks are so alike in their play as to be indistinguishable…they could trade uniforms and no one would know the difference…The Falcons and Patriots should make for an interesting SB.
Do you mean Falcons and Seahawks? Not sure I saw much Seahawks in GB Sunday.
Maybe the QB situation where Rogers is running for his life while performing extemporaneously.
That was a big word for a Coug. Well done.
No, I do mean the Seahawks and GB…they play the same kind of losing game. At any rate I think GB has been just as inconsistent as the Seahawks and was this on display again in the playoffs.
GB was really hammered by injuries and illness. They ran off a rare and impressive streak after the slow start.
The Dirty Birds will have their hands full with the sleight of hand Patriots.
Two great offenses, and Pats have the better D.
Do they though? We shredded the Patriots defense and we don’t have anywhere near the running game or offensive line that the Falcons have.
You say, referring to the playoffs, “Only one game, Packers-Cowboys, was close.”
hmmmm……
Steelers 18, Chiefs 16
Packers 34, Cowboys 31
18-16 isn’t close?
You have me. Let’s make it two of 10. Still was weak when the NFL normally excels.
What would be more satisfactory, watching the commish squirm when handing the Lombardi trophy over to Robert Kraft or watching Dan Quinn, a Carroll disciple and Seahawk alumni take that hand-off?
(as for me, I’m taking Quinn)
I think anyone who was acquainted with Quinn during his two stints here (he was a Jim Mora hire) is pulling for him.
Did love the analogy, ‘as mysterious as the statues on Easter Island,’ Art, and your other insights were right on. You may be right on about booking the Pats (Edelman has to be among the toughest receivers in the NFL) for the trophy, the irony and all, but most of us around here have to pull for the Falcons. It is a fact the Pats seem to save their very best football for the playoffs, but the Falcons have something this year that is so close to the ’13 Hawks it has to count, even if it’s imaginary: Belief. It will be a most interesting SB . . .
Pats are also playing with a mad-on over the Brady suspension. They really want Goodell on the podium.
interesting to see how Belicheck defends Matty Ice. The Falcons shredded the hawks with the underneath game, but the pats will probably not give that much away.
Quinn was smart to take a good situation (Atlanta had some rough years prior but they did have an established QB which is a must unless you have an elite defense like Denver did last year). The difference between him and Bradley is the difference between Ryan and Bortles.
Fear of Atlanta’s passing attack in the NFC it’s going to cause a run on defensive backs in the draft, will all the cornerbacks be gone by the time the Seahawks pick?
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