The Falcons must stay under control when rushing Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson, who’s been sacked 23 times this season.
The Falcon pass rush will be the X-Factor when the two teams meet on Monday Night Football in an important NFC game with playoff implications.
The Falcons are coming off a dominating eight-sack performance against Dallas where they also hit 10 quarterback hits. Adrian Clayborn led the way with a franchise-record six sacks.
Wilson has 51 rushes for 290 yards and is the Seahawks leading rusher.
“Without a doubt he’s special as far as how he scrambles,” Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett said. “He scrambles to make big plays, and he’s made them over and over again so that shows you that he has a trait, a knack for making big plays.”
Wilson had a key scramble against Arizona before launching a pass to wide receiver Doug Baldwin.
“One of the best arms in the league as well,” Jarrett said. “He’s got a great group of receivers to throw to so it’s a tough challenge. We’ve got to be relentless in our pursuit to get him.”
Seattle could be without left tackle Duane Brown, who has a knee injury. The Falcons also must stop Wilson in the run game.
Two games ago, Carolina’s Cam Newton rushed for 86 yards and a 9-yard touchdown run. Dallas’ Dak Prescott had an 11-yard rushing touchdown against the Falcons.
Wilson must be accounted for at all time.
“You have to prepare, but if you’re being real about it special players are going to make big plays sometimes,” Jarrett said. “But at the end of the day, we’re going to put our best foot forward to try to slow him down in the run game, and be disciplined in the run game and the pass game.”
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