Ryan, Falcons eager to face Seahawks sans safety Earl Thomas

Thomas broke his leg, though, Dec. 5 in the 13th game of this season, and he’s out. Journeyman Steven Terrell is up.

Matt Ryan has to like the Falcons’ chances better in the passing game, especially since the Falcons gouged Seattle through the air with Thomas in the lineup.

After a sluggish start in Seattle, Ryan finished 27-of-42 passing for 335 yards and touchdowns to Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu and Levine Toilolo — all in the third quarter.

“We created some big plays with Earl in the lineup, too,” Ryan said. “One guy’s not going to make it. Earl’s a great player, there’s no question about that, but there will be opportunities.”

This time, there may be more of them.

Seattles’ opponents’ passer rating through 12 games with Thomas was 77.9. Over the past four, it was 105.0 with Terrell.

Even with Ryan’s big day, Seattle through 12 games allowed 15.9 points per contest, best in the NFL. In going 2-2 without Thomas to close the regular season, the Seahawks allowed 24.5 per.

Thomas was selected second-team All Pro in his second season after Seattle made him the 14th pick of the 2010 draft, and first-team All-Pro the next four.

Falcons coach Dan Quinn knows well the difference the 5-foot-10, 202-pound Thomas makes with his speed, vision, instincts and play-calling skills. He was Seattle’s defensive coordinator in 2013 and ’14, when the Seahawks won a Super Bowl and barely lost another.

“From a scheme standpoint, there’s not a change taking place for them with Earl not in the lineup. … What does change is a player’s versatility,” Quinn said. “It’s pretty rare that you can play middle-field safety, go down and play a slot receiver, play on a back who’s really fast.”

Seattle had difficulty defending the Falcons with Thomas.

“In the second half, I think we calmed down and played the way we’re capable and just settled into a rhythm,” Ryan said. “It was our execution, and that’s a loud, tough place to play. It’s a difficult environment. They had a lot of success against us in the first half.”

Undrafted out of Texas A&M in 2013, Terrell spent time on practice squads with Jacksonville, Houston and Seattle before joining the Seahawks’ active roster midway through ’14.

In 32 career games, he has two pass breakups and no interceptions. Thomas has 23.

Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan likes the odds better without No. 29 on the field for Seattle.

“There’s only one Earl Thomas, and definitely it’s nice not having him in there, but Steve Terrell has come in and done a great job,” he said. “He’s a guy who can run very fast, too. He’s always in the middle, too, and can cover a lot of ground.”

Actually, Thomas’ skill set is so diverse that expecting Terrell — or any single player — to replicate him is asking too much.

“When you lose guys along the way, it’s a bummer for sure, but there are other guys on the roster who ready to step up,” Quinn said. “You’re also recognizing that this player will not go into the game and do the exact same things. Next man up, I always feel funky on that term …

“With Steven … he’s well-equipped to play, but you don’t necessarily say there’s no drop-off. Earl Thomas is pretty good, so let’s not be surprised by that.”

None of the Falcons’ wideouts are bummed.

“He’s a Pro Bowl safety; he covers the field like no other,” wide receiver Taylor Gabriel said of Thomas. “You do see a little difference because he’s not back there, but at the same time they’re still a high-powered defense.”