NE Atlanta News

The Atlanta Falcons faced a challenging game against the Seattle Seahawks, who ended Atlanta's three-game winning streak with a 34-14 victory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Seahawks showcased their top-ranked passing offense from the start, with Geno Smith leading the way by throwing for 207 yards and two touchdowns.

Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 24 of 35 passes for 232 yards, scoring one touchdown but also throwing two interceptions. A significant play came in the fourth quarter when Derick Hall stripped Cousins of the ball and returned it for a touchdown. Rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. made his NFL debut late in the game, completing one pass for 14 yards.

Penalties were a major issue for the Falcons, who committed nine penalties totaling 72 yards. These infractions stalled their offensive drives and extended those of the Seahawks. In contrast, Atlanta had only four penalties in their previous win against the Panthers.

Defensively, while the Falcons managed to sack Geno Smith once through James Smith-Williams, they allowed several explosive plays. Despite limiting Seattle to fewer passing yards than their season average, key plays occurred under pressure situations where Smith eluded defenders.

Injuries affected Atlanta's offensive line as left guard Matthew Bergeron and center Ryan Neuzil left due to injuries during the game. Although Neuzil returned after being evaluated for a head injury, Bergeron did not return following an assessment for a neck injury.

Running back Bijan Robinson matched his rookie rushing touchdown total within seven games this season. He scored on a 5-yard run in the second quarter and totaled 143 yards against Seattle—103 rushing and 40 receiving—highlighting his ability to break away for significant gains.