Game Preview: Seahawks look to move into first place in NFC West with win over the Falcons

While the (6-3) Seattle Seahawks were preparing for their Monday Night Football matchup against the (5-4) Atlanta Falcons, they received a gift from their division rival Los Angeles Rams.

The Rams lost 24-7 to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, dropping their overall record to 7-3 on the season.

Because Seattle beat the Rams 16-10 in October, a win on Monday night would put the Seahawks into sole possession of first place in the NFC West.

Watch the Seahawks take on the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football on KIRO 7 at 5:30. After the game, hear final thoughts and analysis from Steve Raible, and then stick around for KIRO 7 News at 11:00.

While every game is treated as a "championship opportunity" for Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, his teams seem to play at their highest level on Monday Night Football.

Since becoming head coach in 2010, Pete Carroll-led teams are 7-0 on Monday Night Football. The Seahawks will now look to extend their streak to eight wins against an Atlanta team that knocked them out of the playoffs last year.

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Here are three keys to victory for the Seahawks on Monday:

1. Prevent the Pressure

The Falcons caught a break last week when it was announced that all-pro left tackle Tyron Smith would miss the game for the Dallas Cowboys.

Atlanta took advantage of Smith's absence on their way to a season high eight sacks, including six sacks from defensive end Adrian Clayborne in their 27-7 victory.

With former all-pro left tackle Duane Brown officially questionable to play for Seattle, Atlanta could be facing a backup left tackle in back-to-back weeks.

If Brown can't go, Matt Tobin is the next man up against an athletic Falcons' defensive line led by Clayborn and Vic Beasly.

The Seahawks offensive line will need to provide enough time for Russell Wilson and company to make plays downfield for the Seahawks to get the win on Monday.

2. Turn up the Heat on 'Matty Ice'

With Richard Sherman out for the year, and Kam Chancellor out for Monday night the Atlanta Falcons are facing a makeshift 'Legion of Boom' made up of Bradley McDougald, Shaquille Griffin, Jeremy Lane, and Earl Thomas.

Last year's MVP Matt 'Matty Ice' Ryan and all-pro wide receiver Julio Jones will look to test the Seahawks backups down the field early and often on Monday.

Seahawks teams of years past were able to count on their reliable secondary to prevent big plays, but with two mainstays out, the onus is now on their defensive front to lead their defense.

Look for pass rushers Frank Clark, Dwight Freeney, Michael Bennett and others to turn up the heat and get after Matt Ryan with the hope of limiting their explosive plays downfield.

3. Control what you can Control

After recording a season-high 16 penalties in their week nine loss to the Washington Redskins, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll addressed the team's penalty issues.

[ >> PHOTOS: Seahawks face Redskins, Nov. 5, 2017 ]

“We are going to keep working at it. We’ve got a number of things that we are going to do. We will get after that again today and step it up,” Carroll said. “We think it is a group thing, obviously, when you have a bunch like this, but it comes down to individual choices and making good decisions and doing things right."

Despite coach Carroll's emphasis, the Seahawks reverted to their old ways and had 12 penalties in their 22-16 win over the Cardinals.

While penalties did not get in the way of the Seahawks' win last week, they did keep the game much closer than it needed to be.

Against a more talented Falcons team, Seattle will need to limit the amount of second chances they give to earn a win Monday Night.