3 takeaways from the Seahawks’ 26-24 victory over the Falcons

Here’s three takeaways from the Seattle Seahawks’ 26-24 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday at CenturyLink Field:

1) The Seahawks managed recover after coming unhinged.

This game was well on its way to being a laugher. Seattle led 17-3 at halftime, and Seattle’s defense had completely bottled up the offense that came into the weekend ranked first in the NFL in both points per game (35.0) and yards per game (457.4), limiting the Falcons to 3 points and 86 yards through two quarters.

But it all came unglued on one play, as Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan found receiver Julio Jones on a 36-yard touchdown pass against busted coverage that single-handedly changed the complexion of the game. From that moment forward Seattle’s defense was vulnerable, and Atlanta ended up scoring 21 points and gaining 252 yards in the third quarter alone to take a 24-17 lead.

But Seattle’s defense finally recovered in the fourth quarter, with Earl Thomas coming up with a key interception to help set up what would be the game-winning 44-yard field goal. A season ago the Seahawks spent the first half of the season lamenting the leads the leads they squandered down the stretch in games. By recovering in time Sunday they managed to prevent those ghosts from resurfacing.

2) Richard Sherman is an emotional man.

Seattle’s star cornerback had an epic tantrum on the sidelines Sunday following Jones’ touchdown.

Sherman spent much of the game defending Jones, but not all of it — he had the assignment of shadowing Jones when Jones lined up outside, but turned him over when Jones lined up in the slot. On the touchdown Jones lined up in the left slot, then ran a corner route for the TD on Sherman’s side of the field. Afterward Sherman stormed to the Seattle sideline and was in a rage for much of Seattle’s next offensive possession. He found himself in heated conversations with defensive coordinator Kris Richard and several defensive teammates — even Kam Chancellor, who was inactive for the game. Eventually the defense gathered together and started jumping up and down in unison as a show of unity, but Sherman was not inclined to join in.

After the game Sherman said he was upset because miscommunication led to a blown assignment, something that happened again on Atlanta’s third touchdown as tight end Levine Toilolo was left wide open for a 46-yard TD, again on Sherman’s side of the field. But fortunately for the Seahawks Sherman was eventually able to calm himself down, and he played a part in Thomas’ interception as he batted the ball up after it went through Jones’ hands, allowing Jones to corral it. Sherman was also in coverage on Jones on the last meaningful play of the game, a fourth-down incompletion on which the Falcons wanted pass interference called on Sherman. No flag was thrown, and the Seahawks were able to run out the clock.

3) Redemption for the kicking game.

The kicking game, which has been so reliable for Seattle in recent years, could have cost the Seahawks this one. First, trailing 24-17 early in the fourth quarter, a poor snap resulted in Steven Hauschka missing a 29-yard field goal. It was Hauschka’s first missed field goal of the season in 10 attempts. Then when Seattle scored what should have been the tying touchdown with 4:43 remaining, the Seahawks had the extra point blocked, leaving Seattle trailing 24-23.

Either of those misses could have been the difference in a close game. However, the Seahawks managed to redeem themselves. When Seattle got the ball back at midfield following Thomas’ interception, the prevailing opinion in the press box was that the Seahawks couldn’t afford to play for the field goal. That didn’t seem to be Seattle’s plan, either, but an incompletion on third down at the Atlanta 26 left the Seahawks with no choice. Hauschka trotted onto the field and was straight down the middle with a 44-yard attempt that ended up being the game winner, his fourth game-winning kick in overtime or the final two minutes of a game in his Seahawks career.