The Atlanta Falcons seemed on the verge of a colossal breakdown against the Seattle Seahawks. But Pete Carroll had probably a little bit too much faith in his field goal kicker at the end.
After Seattle cut the Atlanta lead to 27-21, the Falcons drove down the field, where Matt Ryan found Julius Jones twice, Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez and Jacquizz Rodgers to set up another Matt Bryant field goal (this one from 42 yards) to put the Falcons up 30-21. Back came Seattle though, as Tarvaris Jackson found Doug Baldwin, scrambled for a first down, and hooked up with Ben Obomanu twice (including on the touchdown score) to cut Atlanta's lead to two halfway through the fourth quarter.
Atlanta then took the ball and took a lot of time off the clock, picking up three huge third down conversions along the way. Seattle got the ball back with 1:49 left, and Jackson did find Justin Forsett twice, Doug Baldwin once, and Zach Miller twice to set up Seattle at midfield. But then Pete Carroll decided to kick the field goal on 4th and 8 at the Atlanta 43 with :16 left instead of running another play and trying for a more manageable kick for Steven Hauschka. Hauschka's 61 yard kick knuckled left and short, and the Falcons held on for the victory.
To discuss the result with Seahawks fans, go to Field Gulls. To discuss the result with Falcons fans, go to The Falcoholic.