This really is an intriguing matchup. On one hand, the Atlanta Falcons have failed in all three postseason opportunities with Matt Ryan under center. On the other hand, Russell Wilson is a rookie quarterback going into a dome stadium in the divisional round of the playoffs.
Could this game be too big for the two of them? Which one of them will break loose and lead his team to the NFC Championship Game? I guess that's something we are going to find out early on Sunday.
Instead of taking a look at that and giving you a prediction, which I will leave to the rest of the eDraft team, I am going to produce statistical projections for each quarterback in this one. Keep in mind that just because I might have one quarterback with better stats, it doesn't mean his team is going to win.
Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
As I covered last week, Wilson has been beyond ridiculous on the road over the course of the last two months. After struggling against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7 (9-for-23, 122 yards, and an interception), Wilson has been on target away from the Pacific Northwest since.
Since that Thursday Night Football Game, Wilson has completed 66 percent of his passes for 1,532 total yards and 11 touchdowns compared to one interception (104.7 rating) in his last five road appearances. For comparison's sake, that is better than Aaron Rodgers has performed on the road in his last five games.
For what it's worth, the Atlanta Falcons gave up a lot of passing yards this season, but held up extremely well in terms of keeping quarterbacks out of the end zone. They yielded only 14 touchdown passes compared to 20 interceptions during the regular season (77.1 rating). Dunta Robinson and Asante Samuel has been extremely impressive, especially with No. 1 cornerback Brent Grimes missing nearly the entire season with an injury.
Wilson will have to use his tight ends (Zach Miller and Anthony McCoy) if he is going to have success in the passing game. Atlanta sacked opposing quarterbacks a total of 29 times during the regular year. This gives Wilson a tremendous advantage to find open receivers in spots. If he has a clean pocket, it really doesn't matter how good Atlanta cornerbacks are.
Regular Season Average: 16/25, 195 yards, 1.6 touchdowns and 0.6 interceptions.
Regular Season Average (Road): 18/29, 202 yards, 1.1 touchdowns and 1.0 interceptions.
Statistical Projections: 19/32, 260 total yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
Interestingly enough, it's was a real struggle for Ryan at home during the regular season. He compiled just a 86.2 rating at home compared to 111.3 away from The Georgia Dome. I really don't know what to make of this considering his splits at home were favorable leading up to 2012.
Of course it didn't help that Ryan threw eight interceptions in two home against against the Oakland Raiders and Arizona Cardinals. That is sure to hurt his stat line.
Overall, Ryan has thrown three touchdowns compared to four interceptions in three career playoff games (all losses). His yards per game, quarterback rating and completion percentage all take a hit in the second season. His only home playoff start was against the Green Bay Packers in January of 2011. Ryan completed nearly 70 percent of his passes, but also had two interceptions in that 48-21 loss.
Seattle's pass defense ranked third in opposing quarterback rating, sixth in yards against and eigth in interceptions. Additionally, it gave up just 15 passing touchdowns throughout the entire regular season.
Regular Season Average: 26/39, 295 yards, 2.0 touchdowns and 0.9 interceptions.
Regular Season Average (Home): 24/37, 269 yards, 1.4 touchdowns and 1.1 interceptions.
Statistical Projections: 27/41, 280 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.