Going back to his hometown of Atlanta this weekend is secondary for Seattle Seahawks rookie defensive end Bruce Irvin.

Getting a chance to make his first NFL start - and in the playoffs, no less - is far more important.

With Chris Clemons done for the season due to a knee injury, Irvin will get the start Sunday when the Seahawks face the Falcons in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs.

Irvin was used mostly in pass rush situations during the regular season and the result was a Seattle record for sacks by a rookie with eight. He added another sack in last week's playoff win over Washington.

Irvin says he's ready to be a starter. He says he's learned throughout the season from Clemons and is ready to take over for the rest of the playoffs.