That was not your typical football celebration in Atlanta. That was something else—something frantic, panicky, exasperated, hopeless, sweaty, relieved. Have you ever realized that you left your wallet on a park bench—only to run back and discover it lying there untouched? That is what the Falcons must have felt like after Sunday's feverish, last-second victory over relentless Seattle. Yes: If you were an Atlanta fan, you were thrilled to get the 30-28 win. You were happy. But you also needed to go somewhere quiet and lie down.

It...