Controversial Calls dooms Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons (4-2, 1st NFC South) remained in first place in their division after the Seattle Seahawks (4-1, 1st NFC West) narrowly defeated them by two points on Sunday afternoon, 26-24.
The Falcons took a 24-17 lead into the fourth quarter after falling behind 17-3 in the first half of the game. The Falcons then erupted for 21 third quarter points to take the lead led by Matt Ryan’s three touchdown passes.
“Fortunately we did well early, had a really nice first half and then came back when we needed to in the fourth quarter to get the stops we needed to get it done and the one kick we needed to make,” Seattle coach Pete Carroll said. “A really difficult game, but I’m fired up.”
And comeback they did after the Seahawks began falling apart and scolding each other, especially Richard Sherman who was yelling at teammates with veins bulging in his head. The Seahawks would settle down but the Falcons defense also stepped up keeping them out of the end zone in the early part of the quarter, forcing a wide right field goal. With under five minutes to go, the Seahawks found the end zone but managed to miss the PAT and the Falcons still held a slim lead. They would have to play error free football to pull off a win at CenturyLink Field. They could not.
Matt Ryan had a pass tipped by Richard Sherman which landed into the hands of Earl Thomas which would lead to another field goal to bring the game within one point of the Falcons. When the Falcons took over again, a major no-call occurred when WR Julio Jones, defended by two players, went into the air to retrieve a pass but was held by CB Richard Sherman.
“Sherm’s hand was on his arm. That happens all the time,” head coach Pete Carroll said.“That’s not a big deal at all.”
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