ATLANTA - It's 2010 all over again for the Atlanta Falcons.

Just like two seasons back, the Falcons finished 13-3 in the regular season. Once again, they have the top seed and home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs.

This time, they vow they're mature enough to make the most of the opportunity.

The Falcons will try to end their recent trend of first-game postseason exits today when they play the streaking Seattle Seahawks in the divisional playoffs. The Falcons had a first-round bye last week while rookie quarterback Russell Wilson led Seattle to a 24-14 comeback win at the Washington Redskins.

The Seahawks (12-5) bring a six-game winning streak to Atlanta.

Atlanta had never managed back-to-back winning seasons before a new era began in 2008 with general manager Thomas Dimitroff, coach Mike Smith and quarterback Matt Ryan. The Falcons have five straight winning records and four playoff seasons, including three straight.

So far, all the regular-season success has led only to postseason disappointment. Smith and Ryan are 0-3 in the postseason, including a home loss to Green Bay in 2010 and an ugly 24-2 loss at the Giants last year.

Center Todd McClure, in his 13th season, is the only holdover from the last Atlanta team to win a playoff game, in 2004.

“I feel like this is the best team I’ve been on since I’ve been here,” McClure said. “I’m not just saying that. I feel like this is the best opportunity I’ve had and we’ve had to make a run. We have to go out on Sunday and execute. We have to play our best football to win this game and I think we’re ready for it.”

With Ryan orchestrating the no-huddle attack, the Falcons have the ability for quick-strike big plays. It’s a contrast to the Seahawks, who prefer to control the ball with powerful running back Marshawn Lynch, who set a career high and ranked third in NFL with 1,590 yards rushing.

“If we can hold the football, it’s frustrating to an offense who wants to go fast,” said Seattle coach Pete Carroll. “We’re not trying to sit on the clock at all, but we’re certainly committed to the running game. There is nothing better that we can do than to be making first downs and handling the football to keep them from being on the field. The best thing we could do is to keep them on the sideline, and the best way we can do that is to convert, and running gives us a great chance.”

The Seahawks, only 3-5 on the road in the regular season, must make their second cross-country trip in as many weeks. According to STATS LLC, the only NFL West Coast team to win two games at East Coast sites in the same postseason was the 1989 Los Angeles Rams, who won at Philadelphia and the New York Giants.

Seattle lost sacks leader Chris Clemons to a knee injury last week. Rookie Bruce Irvin will start for Clemons, who had 11 1/2 sacks, at defensive end.

Losing Clemons is big for a defense that allowed only 203 yards — 99 passing and 104 rushing — against the Redskins.

“I think it’s a matter of who can execute their system better than the other team at a higher level,” said Seattle tight end Zach Miller. “It’s going to come down to who is more on their game. We’re similar type teams in that we don’t turn the ball over. We don’t make many mistakes.”

Wilson said the playoffs are “time to do something special.”

“Obviously we’ve got a tough seed in front of us,” Wilson said. “We’re going to Atlanta. It’s going to be a hostile crowd. ... We just need to enjoy what it is and see what happens.”