Three key matchups
Falcons DE John Abraham vs. Browns LT Joe Thomas: Abraham started his career in the AFC. He has 10.5 sacks in the past nine games against AFC teams. Abraham's 91.5 sacks since 2000 are the second most in the NFL. Thomas, the third player taken in the 2007 draft, has been to three consecutive Pro Bowls. He anchors Cleveland's line and helps to power their rushing attack.
Falcons SS William Moore vs. Browns TE Ben Watson: Moore, the Falcons' second-round pick in 2009, will make his fourth career start. He has faced tight ends Jeremy Shockey and Vernon Davis in his past two games. He will see another quality tight end in Watson, a former Georgia standout, who leads the Browns in receptions with 18. Watson has amassed 185 yards and scored one touchdown. Watson is shooting for his third consecutive game with five or more receptions.
Falcons RT Tyson Clabo vs. Browns OLB/DE Matt Roth: A former second-round draft pick by Miami, Roth appears to have found a home with the Browns. He's a super-sized linebacker at 6-foot-4, 275 pounds. The Browns also will convert him to a defensive end and have him rush the passer. He had a key fourth-quarter sack last week against Cincinnati and finished with six tackles, three for losses and three hits on the quarterback.
History lesson
- Cleveland leads the series 10-2 in the regular season.
- The Browns have won the past two meetings, a 17-13 win in 2006 in Atlanta and a 24-16 victory in 2002 in Cleveland, in their only meeting in Cleveland Browns Stadium.
- The Browns have won eight of the past nine meetings.
- Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff, a native of Barberton, Ohio, served as a scout for the Browns from 1998 to 2002.
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