3 key matchups: Buccaneers at Falcons
FLOWERY BRANCH — Here are three key matchups to watch when the Falcons (6-6) host the Buccaneers (5-7) at 1 p.m. Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium:
Bucs WR Chris Godwin vs. Falcons NB Dee Alford: Godwin is having another solid season. He has caught 53 of 85 targets for 606 yards and a touchdown. He was targeted 12 times and caught six passes for 66 yards in the previous meeting Oct. 22. Alford has 40 tackles and six pass breakups. Opposing quarterbacks have a 96.9 passer rating when throwing at Alford.
Falcons Gs Matthew Bergeron and Chris Lindstorm vs. Bucs DTs Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey: Vea and Kancey, a rookie from Pittsburgh, are turning into a dynamic duo. Vea has 33 tackles, 5.5 sacks and nine quarterback hits. Kancey has 16 tackles, three sacks and 10 quarterbacks hits. Bergeron is a strong candidate for the PFWA’s All-Rookie team, while Lindstrom is performing at a All-Pro level.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield vs. Falcons S Jessie Bates III: Bates has had an interception in each of the past two games. He has a career-high five interceptions this season. Mayfield has thrown one interception in each of the past four games and has thrown eight this season.
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About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
