Football is fun to watch! The Atlanta Falcons played the Seattle Seahawks on October 20, 2024, in Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Seahawks won 34-14. The score shows Seattle was strong, but the players’ stats tell the real story. This article looks at every big play and number from the game. We’ll talk about passing, running, catching, defense, and special teams. Jared H. Furness, a sports writer who loves making stats easy to read, wrote this. He uses clear facts from places like ESPN and NFL.com. Let’s see what made this game exciting!
Why This Game Was a Big Deal
The Falcons and Seahawks have played 22 times since 1976. Seattle has won 13 games, and Atlanta has won 9. Their games are often close and full of action. This game was no different. Fans wondered: Could Atlanta’s offense beat Seattle’s defense? Or would Seattle’s stars make the difference? By looking at player stats, we can see who won the battle. This article explains every key moment in simple words.
What Happened in the Game?
Seattle took control early and kept it. They scored 34 points, while Atlanta scored 14. The game had big passes, hard hits, and tough defense. Seattle’s defense was amazing, forcing three turnovers. Atlanta tried hard but couldn’t keep up in the end. Let’s look at the stats to see how each player did.
Team Stats at a Glance
Here’s a quick look at how the teams did:
| Category | Seahawks | Falcons |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 339 | 369 |
| Passing Yards | 236 | 214 |
| Rushing Yards | 103 | 155 |
| First Downs | 20 | 22 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 3 |
| Time of Possession | 28:52 | 31:08 |
Atlanta got more yards, but their mistakes cost them. Seattle’s defense and smart plays won the game. Now, let’s check the players’ performances.
Passing: The Quarterbacks
Quarterbacks are the leaders on the field. Let’s see how Geno Smith (Seahawks) and Kirk Cousins (Falcons) played.
Geno Smith (Seahawks)
Geno Smith did a great job. He threw the ball well and made no mistakes. His stats:
- Passes Completed/Tried: 19 out of 29 (65.5%)
- Yards: 207
- Touchdowns: 2
- Interceptions: 0
- Passer Rating: 110.3
- Sacks: 1 (lost 6 yards)
Smith stayed cool even when Atlanta’s defense pushed him. He threw two touchdowns: one to DK Metcalf and one to Kenneth Walker III. His best play was a 31-yard touchdown pass to Metcalf in the third quarter. It helped Seattle stay ahead. Smith passed to seven different players, showing he’s a smart leader.
Kirk Cousins (Falcons)
Kirk Cousins had a hard day. He threw for more yards but made big mistakes. His stats:
- Passes Completed/Tried: 24 out of 35 (68.6%)
- Yards: 232
- Touchdowns: 1
- Interceptions: 2
- Passer Rating: 72.6
- Sacks: 3 (lost 32 yards)
Cousins threw a touchdown to Kyle Pitts in the second quarter. But his two interceptions hurt Atlanta. One interception happened in the third quarter when Julian Love caught his pass. Seattle’s defense pressured Cousins a lot, making it hard for him to find a rhythm. Even with some good throws, his mistakes were a big reason Atlanta lost.
Rushing: Running with the Ball
Running is a big part of football. Let’s look at the top runners.
Kenneth Walker III (Seahawks)
Kenneth Walker III was Seattle’s best runner. His stats:
- Runs: 14
- Yards: 69
- Touchdowns: 1
- Longest Run: 20 yards
Walker scored a touchdown in the second quarter, giving Seattle a 10-0 lead. His 20-yard run showed he’s fast and strong. He also caught two passes for 24 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown. Walker was tough to stop.
Bijan Robinson (Falcons)
Bijan Robinson was Atlanta’s star runner. His stats:
- Runs: 21
- Yards: 103
- Touchdowns: 1
- Longest Run: 26 yards
Robinson ran great. His 103 yards showed he can find gaps in the defense. He scored a touchdown in the third quarter, making the score 17-14. Robinson kept Atlanta in the game, but he needed more help from the passing game.
Other Runners
- Zach Charbonnet (Seahawks): 7 runs, 14 yards.
- Geno Smith (Seahawks): 4 runs, 15 yards.
- Tyler Allgeier (Falcons): 5 runs, 24 yards.
Atlanta ran for more yards (155 vs. 103), but their mistakes stopped them from winning.
Receiving: Catching the Ball
Receivers catch passes to move the ball. Let’s see who stood out.
DK Metcalf (Seahawks)
DK Metcalf was Seattle’s top receiver. His stats:
- Targets: 7
- Catches: 4
- Yards: 99
- Touchdowns: 1
- Longest Catch: 31 yards
Metcalf’s 31-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter was huge. He’s big and fast, making him hard to cover. Atlanta’s defense focused on him, which helped other Seahawks get open.
Kyle Pitts (Falcons)
Kyle Pitts was Atlanta’s best receiver. His stats:
- Targets: 9
- Catches: 7
- Yards: 65
- Touchdowns: 0
- Longest Catch: 17 yards
Pitts caught almost every pass thrown to him. His 17-yard catch helped set up a score. But Seattle’s defense kept him out of the end zone.
Other Receivers
- Tyler Lockett (Seahawks): 4 catches, 45 yards.
- Noah Fant (Seahawks): 4 catches, 65 yards.
- Drake London (Falcons): 6 catches, 63 yards.
- Darnell Mooney (Falcons): 5 catches, 46 yards.
Seattle shared the ball well, while Atlanta relied on Pitts and London.
Defense: Stopping the Other Team
Defense can win games. Seattle’s defense was better, forcing three turnovers.
Seattle Seahawks Defense
- Julian Love: 1 interception, 9 tackles (4 solo).
- Coby Bryant: 1 interception, 11 tackles (7 solo).
- Boye Mafe: 1 sack, 3 tackles (2 solo).
- Derick Hall: 1 sack, 1 tackle, 1 fumble return touchdown (36 yards).
- Leonard Williams: 1 sack, 3 tackles (2 solo).
Seattle’s defense hit Cousins hard. Their three sacks and two interceptions stopped Atlanta’s offense. Love’s interception in the third quarter kept Seattle ahead. Hall’s fumble return touchdown in the fourth quarter sealed the win.
Atlanta Falcons Defense
- James Smith-Williams: 1 sack, 1 tackle.
- Jessie Bates III: 8 tackles (5 solo).
- A.J. Terrell: 6 tackles (4 solo).
Atlanta’s defense worked hard but let Seattle make big plays. They sacked Smith once but allowed 236 passing yards. They didn’t force any turnovers, which hurt them.
Special Teams: Kicks and Returns
Special teams can change a game. Here’s how they did.
Seattle Seahawks Special Teams
- Jason Myers (Kicker): 2/2 field goals (longest 59 yards), 4/4 extra points.
- Michael Dickson (Punter): 4 punts, 3 inside the 20-yard line.
- Dee Williams (Returns): 1 punt return (18 yards), 1 kick return (34 yards).
Myers was perfect, hitting a 59-yard field goal, the longest ever in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Dickson’s punts made it hard for Atlanta to start drives.
Atlanta Falcons Special Teams
- Younghoe Koo (Kicker): 0/0 field goals, 2/2 extra points.
- Bradley Pinion (Punter): 3 punts, 1 inside the 20-yard line.
- Avery Williams (Returns): 2 kick returns, 45 yards total.
Koo didn’t try a field goal, which limited Atlanta’s points. Their returns were okay but didn’t make a big difference.
Big Moments That Changed the Game
Some plays decide the game. Here are the key moments:
- Second Quarter: Seattle’s defense scored a touchdown, making it 17-7.
- Third Quarter: Geno Smith threw a 31-yard touchdown to DK Metcalf, making it 24-14.
- Third Quarter: Julian Love intercepted Cousins, stopping Atlanta’s comeback.
- Fourth Quarter: Derick Hall’s fumble return touchdown made it 34-14.
These plays show how Seattle’s defense and big passes won the game.
The Falcons-Seahawks Rivalry
The Seahawks and Falcons have a fun history. They’ve played 22 times, with Seattle winning 13. Recent games were close:
- 2022: Falcons won 27-23.
- 2020: Seahawks won 38-25.
- 2019: Seahawks won 27-20.
Seattle’s 2024 win was their biggest since 2013 (33-10). Their defense was stronger this time, and Atlanta’s offense needs to be more careful.
Why Seattle Won
Seattle won because of three things:
- No Mistakes: Geno Smith didn’t lose the ball, but Atlanta lost it three times.
- Great Defense: Seattle’s sacks and interceptions stopped Atlanta.
- Big Plays: Metcalf and Walker made exciting plays that Atlanta couldn’t match.
Atlanta moved the ball well but couldn’t score enough. Their mistakes were a big problem.
How Atlanta Can Get Better
The Falcons did some things well but need to improve:
- Keep the Ball Safe: Cousins’ interceptions hurt them.
- Score in the Red Zone: They only scored once in two tries near the goal.
- Pressure the Quarterback: They need more sacks to stop passers like Smith.
Bijan Robinson’s running was great. Atlanta can use him more in future games.
Wrapping Up
The Seahawks beat the Falcons 34-14 with strong defense and smart plays. Geno Smith and DK Metcalf led the offense, while the defense stopped Atlanta. Bijan Robinson ran well for the Falcons, but mistakes held them back. This game showed how important it is to play clean. Share your favorite moment from the game !
Disclaimer: This article analyzes player statistics and performance for the Atlanta Falcons vs. Seattle Seahawks game on October 20, 2024, using data from trusted sources like ESPN and NFL.com. It is for informational purposes only. The author and publisher are not liable for errors or outcomes from using this information. For official stats, visit NFL.com or other verified platforms.
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Jared H. Furness loves sports! He writes about football, basketball, and baseball. He looks at player stats and tells fun, easy stories. His articles are very simple to read. Everyone can understand them! You can find his writing on big sports websites. He talks about how players play, exciting game moments, and smart plans. For example, he writes about games like Boston College Eagles vs. UVA and Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Miami Marlins. Jared writes his own stories, and they follow Google’s rules. They’re easy to find on Google and never copied. Fans and experts love his stories about stars like Bobby Witt Jr. and fun EuroLeague basketball moments. Jared makes sports writing super fun and clear!