Saints RB Tim Hightower vs. Falcons MLB Nate Stupar: Hightower rushed for more than 100 yards last week for the first time since 2010. He was out of football after suffering a knee injury with Washington in 2011. Stupar is playing more middle linebacker in the base defense with Paul Worrilow limited with a knee injury.
Saints CB Brandon Browner vs. Falcons WR Julio Jones: Browner, the Saints' third-leading tackler with 68, is a rugged defender who tries to get physical with receivers, but has just one interception. Jones leads the NFL in catches (127), yards (1,722) and average yards per game (114.8). Jones has been spectacular all season and is set to play all 16 games for the first time in his career.
Saints WR Brandin Cooks vs. Falcons CB Desmond Trufant: Cooks has 79 catches for 1,116 yards and nine touchdowns. Trufant has been targeted 54 times on a 911 snaps. The 54 targets are an NFL low among cornerbacks who have played at least 75 percent of their team's defensive snaps, according to profootballfocus.com. Trufant has also given up only 31 receptions, which is the third lowest total among cornerbacks who have played at least 75 percent of their team's defensive snaps.
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