Falcons vs. Seahawks: Week 1 Preview

With less than 48 hours remaining until kickoff, it's almost time for Dirty Bird Nation to "Rise Up" for an opening week match-up against the Seattle Seahawks.

Entering the 2020 NFL Season, these new-look Atlanta Falcons are likely to prioritize early-season success, as consecutive poor starts (1-4 in 2018 and 1-7 in 2019) have prevented this team from seeing playoff action since its 2017 campaign.

However, having finished 2019 with six of eight victories (pacing the NFC down the stretch), perhaps the Falcons have found a winning formula at last.

Let's hope so, if only for the sake of head coach Dan Quinn, who may be on thin ice following back-to-back losing seasons.

For Atlanta, numerous off-season acquisitions will be on display this Sunday, perhaps none more notably than running back Todd Gurley -- a former first-round pick who joins the team with lingering knee concerns that have plagued his career since college. Should Gurley exceed expectations in 2020, this Falcons' offense could prove to be lethal.

Meanwhile, quarterback Matt Ryan hopes to emulate the success typical of his even-year campaigns. The 35-year-old former MVP certainly has two potent receiving weapons at his disposal in perennial superstar Julio Jones and third-year phenom Calvin Ridley.

On the defensive side of the ball, many question marks remain, per usual for Atlanta. However, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett expressed his confidence following a mock game on August 28. 

"I feel like being back, we haven't missed a beat," Jarrett said. "As a team, as a defense, we came back where we left off. We just keep building."

As the Seattle Seahawks roll into town for Week 1, the Falcons' confidence should remain high.

Though Atlanta fell to Seattle last season with reserve quarterback Matt Schaub at the helm, starter Matt Ryan posts a record of 5-2 against the Seahawks in his veteran career (including postseason action).

Admittedly, his success must be partially attributed to the output of Julio Jones, who averages 122.3 career receiving yards per game against Seattle -- the most of any player in NFL history.

Another favorable statistic for Atlanta is Russell Wilson's career history, as the 31-year-old quarterback posts a record of 1-4 in Week 1 starts on the road.

While many of these numbers look promising for an Atlanta squad poised to recover from recent mediocrity, the outcome of Sunday's game must be determined on the field.

However, if confidence doesn't turn to complacency, the Falcons have a legitimate shot at kicking off 2020 with a victory.