Seahawks defense gets going too late

Third down was an area of concern before the game for Seattle.

Atlanta converted 45.1 percent of its third downs this season, the second-highest rate in the league, behind only New England.

The Seahawks allowed opponents to convert 38.4 percent of their third-down chances.

On Atlanta’s first scoring drive, Matt Ryan converted a 3rd-and-2 at the 41 with a 13-yard pass to Roddy White. The Falcons would eventually kick a field goal.

On the next scoring drive, Ryan converted a 3rd-and-14 at Seattle’s 33 with a 16-yard pass to White. The Falcons would eventually score a touchdown on a 1-yard pass from Ryan to Tony Gonzalez.

Later in the quarter, on first down, Jacquizz Rodgers ran over and through several Seahawks defenders in a bruising 45-yard effort. The Falcons would eventually kick a field goal to take a 13-0 lead.

But the Seahawks made plays on three consecutive Falcons’ drives in the fourth quarter to give themselves a chance.

First, Earl Thomas intercepted Ryan on a deep pass intended for White. Seattle took over at Atlanta’s 38 and scored a touchdown to cut its margin to 27-21.

Seattle forced a three-and-out on Atlanta’s next drive, causing the Falcons to punt for the first time in the game.

After the Seahawks were forced to punt, Seattle’s defense stopped the Falcons again for another punt. The ensuing possession resulted in Marshawn Lynch’s touchdown that gave Seattle a 28-27 lead with 31 seconds left.

“Nobody gave up,” said Seattle defensive end Bruce Irvin, an Atlanta native. “Nobody panicked. We knew we were going to make a run. We just kind of waited too late.”