Seattle Seahawks

Picks

Bijan Robinson has rushed for 995 yards and he's also a weapon in the passing game where he has 54 catches for 594 yards. He'll have a tough time finding running room against Seattle but should have success through the air. The Seahawks have an elite defense, especially against the run, but are vulnerable against pass-catching backs. They are 29th in the NFL in receiving yards allowed per game (39.7) to opposing RBs while allowing the second-most receptions per game (5.7) to the position. Robinson has logged 37+ receiving yards in nine of 12 games this year and the Falcons are 7.5-point underdogs this week which indicates a negative game script.

Cousins is a shell of his former self and will be a sitting duck for one of the fiercest pass rushes in the land. The Seahawks generate the second highest pressure rate per dropback and rank No. 3 in pass rush win rate at ESPN, sitting second in QB hurries and fourth in total sacks. They do this all without needing extra rushers, blitzing less than 20% of the time. That allows Mike Macdonald’s defense a lot of flexibility with the linebackers and secondary. Seattle can drop more into coverage or dedicate linebackers to plugging up the rushing lane, which is what it’ll do against the Falcons two-headed RB monster of Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier.

Atlanta has played some softer foes in recent weeks, facing New York, New Orleans, and Carolina. Now, the Falcons take on one of the best two-way teams in the league. Seattle feasted on the Vikings’ shaky QB situation this weekend, creating a ton of chaos in the pocket and upping its stock as the premier stop unit in the land. That vaunted pass rush will be chasing down the aging legs of Kirk Cousins in Week 14. The Seahawks opened with the half point hook on the touchdown, which may scare off some. But -8 is an undervalued key number in football betting these days and this spread could quickly move to -8.5 to -9 considering the contrast in public opinion.