Julio Jones gets Atlanta Falcons on the board vs. Seattle (Video)

The Atlanta Falcons tie the game up with the Seattle Seahawks on this quick pass from Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan to wide receiver Julio Jones.

The Atlanta Falcons surrendered a 14-play touchdown drive to the Seattle Seahawks on their opening possession of the NFC Divisional Round game in Atlanta. Atlanta needed to respond with a score of their own on probably a lengthy drive to give the Falcons’ tired defense a rest.

With NFL MVP candidate Matt Ryan at quarterback, the Falcons would charge down the field on a 13-play drive going 75 yards. Ryan would get the ball out quickly on play No. 13 to hit wide receiver Julio Jones for a seven-yard touchdown.

To be fair, Jones may have benefited from a no-call on a pick play to get into the end zone. Nevertheless, Atlanta was able to do exactly what it needed to tie the game up with the Seahawks with a lengthy drive of its own.

Ryan was surgical on the drive, using the running game to open up the pass. Jones made a few big plays on that series. He totaled three catches for 27 yards and that seven-yard score.

Jones continues to show why he is one of the most versatile receivers in football. He is adept at going vertical, though not exclusively like he was used coming out of the University of Alabama in 2011. Jones can possession receive in slant patterns across the middle.

must read: 30 Best NFL Receivers of All-Time

His latest touchdown illustrates just how quickly he can strike for a score as a receiving threat. It happened so fast that it caught the officials off guard and probably prevented a clear hold by the Falcons receiving corps. Regardless, this is the touchdown Atlanta needed to gain confidence against this stout Seattle defense. Could this playoff game go down to the wire in Atlanta?