The Falcons must contain Seattle’s “Minnesota Connection.”

Offensive coordinator Darryl Bevell, quarterback Tarvaris Jackson and wide receiver Sidney Rice all came over from Minnesota in the offseason to spruce up the Seahawks’ offense.

The passing combination of Jackson-to-Rice must be shut down in order to stall the Seahawks’ offense. They are the X-factor in this matchup of teams, each 1-2, who are defending their division titles.

Rice, a former South Carolina star, returned from a shoulder injury Sunday and caught eight passes for 109 yards in a 13-10 victory over Arizona.

“He’s kind of Tarvaris’ [security] blanket out there,” Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon said. “They are comfortable with each other, and big Mike Williams on the other side can go up and get the ball, so we know it’s going to be a tough day for us.”

Falcons defensive end Ray Edwards played with Jackson and Rice in Minnesota.

“There is a lot of chemistry between him and Sidney because they’ve been together for the last five years,” Edwards said.

Jackson also is a talented runner.

“I know what he can do in the pocket and outside the pocket,” Edwards said. “We’ve definitely got to be aware of that. ... You have to stay in your rush lanes, try to keep him in the pocket and make him make those throws.”

The Falcons faced Jackson in 2008. He completed 22 of 36 passes for 233 yards and ran eight times for 82 yards in the Falcons’ 24-17 victory at the Metrodome.

“He’s a very good athlete,” Falcons defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder said. “[He’s] a very good quarterback on the perimeter. He’s got instinctive legs and can run. ... He presents problems for a defense because of his athleticism.”