Falcons RB Devonta Freeman vs. Saints LB Manti Te'o: Freeman is coming off his best game of the season, a 126-yard rushing effort against the Buccaneers. He also caught five passes for 68 yards. Freeman needs 194 yards over the final two regular-season games to post his third consecutive 1,000-yard season. Te'o led the Saints with 10 tackles in the previous meeting between the teams. He also had two tackles for losses.
Falcons CB Desmond Trufant vs. Saints WR Mike Thomas: Trufant had footing issues against the Bucs. He must do a better job against Thomas than in the previous meeting when Drew Brees didn't hesitate to come his way. Thomas, who has blossomed into a star, caught 10 passes for 117 yards and one touchdown against the Falcons. Thomas has caught 94 passes for 1,085 yards and five touchdowns.
Falcons LG Andy Levitre vs. Saints DT Sheldon Rankins: Levitre was out when the Falcons had a big miss in the first meeting. Rankins slipped a block and knocked Tevin Coleman out of the game. Levitre is trying to come back after missing two games. His streak of 140 straight NFL starts was snapped. Ben Garland filled in admirably. The stout Rankins has 22 tackles and one sack. He also has an interception, which the 305-pounder nearly returned for a touchdown.
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