Falcons SS Keanu Neal vs. Bucs TE O.J. Howard: Neal is second on the team in tackles with 95. He is playing much better in coverage and has four pass breakups. After a slow start, Howard is coming along in his rookie season. He has 25 catches for 402 yards and five touchdowns. Neal has had two forced fumbles this season and seven over his first two seasons in the league. Howard had a key fumble last week against Detroit.
Falcons MLB Deion Jones vs. Buc RB Peyton Barber: Jones, the reigning NFC defensive player of the week, leads the Falcons in tackles with 109 tackles. Jones was a force against the Saints with a game-saving interception and 17 tackles, according to the coaches' film review. Barber, the Milton High and Auburn project, took over for Doug Martin against Detroit and had 58 yards rushing on 12 carries. He rushed for 103 yards on 23 carries against the Packers.
Falcons RG Wes Schweitzer vs. Bucs DT Robert Ayers or Gerald McCoy: Schweitzer was a liability early in the season, but has improved over the course of the season. He's a battler in the run game and a scrappy pass protector. The Falcons are expecting Ayers to slide down from end to tackle. Even with McCoy, the Bucs pass-rush was anemic. They are last in the league with 17 sacks and McCoy had five of those sacks. Ayers has two sack. McCoy is trying to play with a biceps injury.
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