Merry Pre-Christmas, Matt Ryan. Enjoy your early gift: CB Richard Sherman (Achilles) and S Kam Chancellor (neck) out for the Seahawks. WR Julio Jones will run wild and free as the Falcons easily compensate for the absence of RB Davonta Freeman (concussion). Atlanta DE Adrian Clayborn is coming off a remarkable six-sacks game, but unseating elusive QB Russell Wilson is quite another matter. The Seahawks rank second in pass offense and should be able to keep pace with the visitors’ scoring. On the eve of this game, surely the defenses were sleepless in Seattle.

The Falcons might have an easier time scoring with Richard Sherman on the shelf, but the Seahawks are expected to have Earl Thomas back, and he's much more important to their defense. The playcalling by the Atlanta offense has been extremely questionable at times this year, and with Devonta Freeman now sidelined, I don't see them lighting up the scoreboard at Seattle, even if the Seahawks defense is less than 100 percent. Five of the last six Falcons games have gone Under, as have four of the last five Seahawks games. That makes this total a great value at the number.

The Falcons should be in good position to build on last week's solid win against the Cowboys by taking advantage of a depleted Seattle team Monday night. Atlanta had a balanced attack against the Cowboys, and has the chance to do the same against a Seattle defense that has been vulnerable against the better offenses it has faced. Look for Matt Ryan to exploit a secondary that will be without the injured Richard Sherman. Moreover, Atlanta's No. 7-ranked defense should hold Seattle's limited offense in check. It's not often I'll fade Seattle in an isolated prime-time game, but this is a rare instance.

Many pundits will overreact to what the Falcons did against the Cowboys. But Seattle, even without Richard Sherman, poses a serious threat to the Falcons' offense. Russell Wilson is still a wizard out there and he'll keep the Falcons' defense guessing all game long. Lay the field goal.