‘Today it got away from us’: Atlanta Falcons have to just play for pride at this point: Seattle 37, Atlanta 9

There was still a chance to make something of the 2025 season. With a 4-8 record and no way to make the playoffs, the Atlanta Falcons were still play for pride and could have possibly been playing for a .500 season. That all went up in flames during the third quarter of a 37-9 loss on Sunday, December 7.

Their opponent, the Seattle Seahawks, was on an opposite trajectory. Seattle, who dominated every phase of the game, including special teams, is now 10-3.

Before the game, the Seahawks were tied at the top of the NFC West with the Los Angeles Rams, who the Falcons will host in their next home game on Thursday, December 29.

The opportunity to play spoiler was on the offering for Atlanta. And the Falcons did everything they could to blow the opportunity. Fumbles in Seattle territory, interceptions to end solid offensive drives, and getting a field goal blocked. It all took place on Sunday.

“You’re always reminded that it’s a four-quarter game and that you have to keep playing,” Falcons’ starting quarterback Kirk Cousins said after the game. “Today it got away from us.”

It’s going to be a short week for the Falcons as they prepare to travel to Tampa to play the Buccaneers for the second and final time this season on Thursday Night Football. The Bucs are playing for their playoff lives at the moment with the Carolina Panthers right on their tail.

The Falcons and Seahawks traded punts in the first quarter before rookie edge rusher James Pearce, Jr. recorded his sixth sack of the season and stranded Seattle deep in their own territory. On the ensuing drive, the Falcons managed to make something of a short field and get three points on a 35-yard field goal by Zane Gonzalez.

The teams continued to be in sync when Seattle pulled together a nearly seven-minute drive that ended in a 22-yard field goal by kicker Jason Myers at the end of the first quarter.

There’s something to bve said about the fact that the Falcons have been neck to neck with some of the best teams in the National Football League this season, including one-score games against the New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Tampa Bay Bucs, and a victory over the Buffalo Bills. The games against the Patriots, Colts, and Bucs were losses, and in the end that is all that matters.

The Falcons had an opportunity to regain the lead on a 50-yard field goal from Gonzalez, but the Seahawaks blocked it. The previous Falcons defensive possession saw cornerback Mike Hughes got his first interception of the season midway through the second quarter. Hughes also broke up a third down pass from Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold to receiver Cody White. With 34 solo tackles (45 total), Hughes wasn’t in the middle of his best season, but the interception and his overall play on Sunday was much-needed for both him and the team.

There was another chance for Atlanta to end the first half with a lead and momentum. Quarterback Kirk Cousins (two interceptions) found tight end Kyle Pitts for a 30-yard gain down to to the 30-yard line. Then Cousins found receiver Darnell Mooney down the sideline for what looked like a go-ahead touchdown with a minute remaining in the first half. Mooney stepped out of bounds on his route to the end zone, so that catch didn’t count. The nearly five-minute drive ended with Gonzalez hitting a 43-yard field goal to put Atlanta up 6-3 with 1:01 left on the clock.

Falcons defense managed to hold the Seattle offense to just six points. Myers attempted a 48-yard field goal just before the halftime whistle to tie the game. Less than 20 seconds into the second half, Seattle would take a 13-6 lead on a kickoff return touchdown from former New Orleans Saints returner/receiver Rashid Shaheed.

On the next possession, the Falcons star Bijan Robinsonm fumbled on the Seattle 12-yard line. The ball was recovered by Seahawkls corner back Devon Witherspoon. Robinson has over 1,000 yards rushing and over 600 yards receiving this season. That fumble was his third this season.

Seattle quarterback Darnold found receiver Jaxon Smith-Nijgba for two deep routes, the last one was for a touchdown to go ahead 20-6 with 6:16 remaining in the game. In less than a quarter, the Seahawks had unanswered two touchdowns and complete control of the game.

The Seahawks added another Myers 37-yard field goal to go ahead 23-6 with 2:39 in the third quarter and then an 11-yard reception and touchdown by veteran receiver Cooper Cupp to go ahead 30-9 with 12:13 remaining in the game. Seattle scored again when Darnold found Smith-Nijgba on a short touchdown exchange at the end of a six-play drive.

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