Safety Neal must slow rush attack

Rookie being relied upon to contain running back Rawls.

Falcons safety Keanu Neal, who was drafted in the first round this year to add a physical presence to the defense, will be on the hot seat in the divisional playoff game against Seattle.

The Seahawks struggled to run the ball all season, but running back Thomas Rawls broke loose for a team-record 161 yards in the wildcard victory over the Detroit Lions last Saturday night.

The Seahawks signed fullback Marcel Reece late in the season to add a lead blocker to the attack. Seattle fullbacks played only 10 percent of the plays during the regular season. Against Detroit, Reece played on 44 percent of the snaps.

“We always want to be a balanced attack,” Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson said. “We want to be physical. We want to play downhill. We want to be able to run the ball at a high efficiency level. So, Thomas Rawls is that guy for us. He’s really, really special in terms of running the football.”

Neal has indeed added a physical presence to the defense and some teeth to the run defense.

Neal, the 17th overall pick, ranked second on the team with 105 tackles and five forced fumbles. He had seven pass breakups, two tackles for loss and one fumble recovery.

In addition to Rawls, Seattle has used running back Alex Collins and hopes to have C.J. Prosise available. Rawls didn’t play in Seattle’s 26-24 victory over the Falcons on Oct. 16.

“They have quite a few weapons,” defensive coordinator Richard Smith said.

KEVIN C. COX / GETTY IMAGES Keanu Neal has enjoyed an outstanding rookie season for the Falcons after being drafted in the first round out of Florida.