As a team, the Seahawks ended the year ninth in the NFL in total offense, averaging 348.9 yards a game. The only teams ahead of them were New England, Green Bay, Dallas, New Orleans, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Jacksonville and Cleveland.
They also were in a ninth-place tie with Pittsburgh, averaging 24.6 points a game. The two teams that produce more less yardage but score more often are San Diego and Arizona.
The dates have not yet been determined, but this is who the Seahawks will play next season:
Home: Arizona, St. Louis, San Francisco, New England, Green Bay, Washington, Philadelphia, New York Jets
Away: Arizona, St. Louis, San Francisco, Miami, New York Giants, Tampa Bay, Buffalo, Dallas
That’s a combined opponent record of 122-134, with games against the worst team in the league this year; the best team in the league this year; four division winners; and six teams in this year’s playoffs. As we saw this year, those things can quickly change, with injuries or outside influences
…On the Falcons ending their season with a win:
"This was a great win to end the season and especially knowing that everybody put up their best effort. This has been a tough season, but everybody showed great resolve through it all. Coach Jackson (Hugh) spoke in front of the team and gave us a great speech about not quitting and showing pride as professionals. I am glad for Arthur Blank and the organization to all go out on a winning note despite all that has happen."
RB JERIOUS NORWOOD
On the Falcons ending their season with a win:
"It feels real good. I’m glad to get a victory today. We came out fired up and have a little time off now. We can kind of get ready for next year. It’s going to be a different team next year. We’ll be ready to roll."
On the play of the Falcons offense:
"The offense played really good today. I feel like everybody stepped up and did their job. We moved the ball well and I feel like we ran the ball pretty well. The offensive line protected well and it seemed like everybody was playing as one today."
On the Gatorade shower:
"I knew it was coming, but I was trying to get away. They managed to hold me up and get the job done, but after a win like that I will take it. I was so happy that it didn’t even matter."
On the play of the team after going through so much adversity this season:
"Everyone on this team is a professional. When Mr. Blank asked me to take over this team, I wanted to make sure we prepared this team the best we could, install some character to the team and show the players some love. I am so happy that we got a win this week because we were so close last week. They will head into the off-season with a win and will be able to come back next season and show people that they still have life in them."
This is the unedited version of my game story that will appear in tomorrow’s editions of the News Tribune:
By FRANK HUGHES
Frank.hughes@thenewstribune.com
ATLANTA – The Seattle Seahawks say they accomplished their primary objective in their 44-41 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday afternoon at the sparsely attended Georgia Dome.
Namely, that they didn’t get anybody injured as they head into their first-round playoff game against the Washington Redskins on Saturday at Qwest Field.
But there certainly was some hand wringing along the way.
Or, perhaps more accurately, wrist wringing.
CB JORDAN BABINEAUX
On not underestimating the opponent:
"It’s not like we didn’t measure our opponent today. We knew we had a game on our hands before we got here. But they just made more plays than we did today. That’s the long and short of it."
On playing against his brother, though they both play defense:
"Wow, it would be an interesting thing to see me square off against him some day. Especially if he was a receiver or something. But it’s been a long time since we did that. We both like to play defense and we like to hit instead of getting hit."
According to Fox, the Seahawks will play the Redskins on Saturday, with the Giants-Tampa Bay game going on Sunday. The game is at 1:30.