3 key matchups: Falcons at Steelers

Falcons CB Robert Alford vs Steelers WR Antonio Brown: The Falcons had to switch to man-to-man coverage last week and put Alford on Cincinnati's A.J. Green. This would be the key matchup if the Falcons feel they must go man-to-man against the Steelers. Alford has four pass breakups, including a nice one when then the Bengals tried to hit Green in the end zone last week. Brown has four touchdown catches this seasons as he's had to play through a maze of coverages with Bell holding out.

Falcons SS Brian Poole vs. Steelers TE Vance McDonald: Poole has to clean up his penalties. He was fined more than $40,000 for two plays against the Saints and is awaiting a possible fine from the Bengals game. However, Poole will need to be aggressive with McDonald, who stiff-armed Tampa Bay's Chris Conte on Monday Night Football on Sept. 24. McDonald has 12 catches for 200 yards and one touchdown.

Falcons RB Devonta Freeman vs. Steelers LB Jon Bostic: Freeman hasn't played since the opener and is set to make his return. Freeman is a threat out of the backfield and the Falcons will try to get him in space against Bostic. Freeman, who averages 8.1 yards per catch over his career, spent extra time catching passing from the jugs machine after practice last week.