Falcons CB Desmond Trufant vs. Lions WR Golden Tate: Trufant had a key interception and returned a fumble for a touchdown last week against the Packers. Tate has caught at least 90 passes in each of the past three seasons.
“Once he catches the ball, he’s kind of like a returner,” said Trufant, who grew up in Washington and played collegiately in Seattle. “He can make something out of nothing. ... I’ve just seen a lot of him just from watching Seattle for so long. ... He’s hard to bring down. He’s like a running back at receiver when you are trying to tackle him. We just have to swarm to him.”
Falcons DE Adrian Clayborn vs. Lions LT Greg Robinson: Clayborn is part of the committee that will play more snaps with Vic Beasley out with a hamstring strain. He has a sack and three quarterback hits. The Lions are attempting to resurrect Robinson's once promising career at left tackle. They acquired the No. 2 overall pick in the 2014 draft from the Rams. Robinson played at Auburn. The Lions had to get Robinson after Taylor Decker suffered a shoulder injury. Robinson struggled against the Giants. He had three first-half penalties, allowed a sack and was beaten badly on two other plays. Robinson has a tough time with power moves, which are Clayborn's specialty.
Falcons LT Jake Matthews vs. Lions DE Ziggy Ansah. Matthews will have his hands full with Ansah, who's coming off a monster game. A native of Ghana who went to BYU to play basketball, Ansah had six tackles, three sacks, three tackles for loss and a forced fumble against the Giants. Ansah has recovered from the ankle and knee injuries that plagued him last season.
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