Falcons Lean on Balance, Defense to Outlast Seahawks in Week 14

ATLANTA, GA - In a tightly contested Week 14 matchup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Atlanta Falcons did just enough on both sides of the ball to hold off the Seattle Seahawks, escaping with a 23-18 win to improve to 9-4 on the season. Seattle, which entered the game at .500, saw multiple comeback attempts come up short as Atlanta's defense delivered key stops late.

Early points set the tone

Atlanta struck first thanks to Younghoe Koo, who drilled a 57-yard field goal early in the opening quarter, setting the tone for a night where points would come at a premium. The Seahawks responded later in the quarter when Sam Darnold connected with Gerald Everett on a six-yard touchdown pass, finishing a drive that showed Seattle could move the ball despite steady pressure from Atlanta's front.

The opening exchanges hinted at the kind of game it would be - methodical, physical, and dictated by field position rather than explosive scoring.

Falcons find rhythm through balance

As the game wore on, Atlanta began to assert control by leaning into a balanced offensive approach. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw for 252 yards and a touchdown, consistently keeping the offense on schedule, while Bijan Robinson anchored the ground game with 80 rushing yards and a touchdown on just 13 carries.

Robinson's efficiency allowed the Falcons to stay ahead of the chains, convert nearly half of their third-down attempts, and control the tempo for long stretches.

"We stayed patient," Falcons head coach Chuck Davis said after the game. "We didn't panic when things got tight. We trusted the run, trusted our defense, and let the game come to us."

Atlanta's defense delivers when needed

That trust paid off defensively. Atlanta's pass rush consistently collapsed the pocket, finishing the night with four sacks and forcing Seattle into uncomfortable third-and-long situations. Leonard Floyd, Arnold Ebiketie, and Christian Wilkins each contributed pressure, while Jessie Bates III and Xavier Watts limited explosive plays in the secondary.

Seattle moved the ball at times but struggled to sustain drives, converting just four of 15 third-down attempts - a stat that loomed large as the game tightened in the fourth quarter.

Seahawks rally falls short

Darnold finished with 248 passing yards and two touchdowns without an interception, keeping Seattle within striking distance. Cooper Kupp led the Seahawks with 84 receiving yards, highlighted by a 56-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter that briefly cut the deficit to five and injected life into the stadium.

"We moved the ball, but we didn't finish enough drives," Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said. "Against a team like Atlanta, you can't leave points out there."

Despite the late surge, the Seahawks couldn't get the final stop they needed, and Atlanta closed the game out with disciplined situational football.

Special teams swing the margins

In a low-scoring game, special teams quietly played a decisive role. Koo was perfect on the night, converting all three of his field-goal attempts, including kicks from beyond 40 yards. His reliability ensured Atlanta capitalized on scoring chances even when drives stalled inside the red zone.

Up Next

The Falcons will hit the road in Week 15 for a divisional matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a game that could have major implications in the NFC South race. Atlanta will look to rebound after letting this one slip late, with Chuck Davis' group aiming for a sharper finish on both sides of the ball against a familiar opponent.

Seattle, meanwhile, returns home in Week 15 to host the Indianapolis Colts. After showing flashes on offense and generating pressure defensively in Atlanta, Mike Macdonald's Seahawks will look to tighten up situational execution as they try to climb back into the playoff picture in front of their home crowd.