Three key matchups: Falcons at Lions
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.
About the Author
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.
