3 key matchups: Falcons at Redskins
The Atlanta Falcons (3-4) face the Washington Redskins (5-2) at FedEx Field (1 p.m., Fox) in Landover, Md.:
Falcons WR Julio Jones vs. Redskins CB Josh Norman: The Falcons' passing attack runs through Jones, who has 812 yards receiving on 53 catches. When the Falcons get to the red zone, he's a decoy. Norman and Jones used to match up regularly when he played for the Panthers. "If we ask him to travel with Julio, I'm sure he'll be up to the challenge," Washington coach Jay Gruden said. "He is one of the greatest competitors that I've been around. He loves the challenge of going against the best because he considers himself one of the best. If we ask him to travel, he'll travel."
Falcons RG Ben Garland vs. Redskins DT Matt Ioannidis: While Washington defensive tackles Da'Ron Payne and Jonathan Allen have been drawing double-teams, Ioannidis has been wreaking havoc. He has 5.5 sacks on the season.
Falcons LB De'Vondre Campbell vs. Redskins TE Jordan Reed: Alex Smith is known in most fantasy leagues as the original "Checkdown Charlie." Reed is his main checkdown guy for the Redskins, as he leads the team in receptions with 29.
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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.
