THREE KEY MATCHUPS: Seahawks at Falcons

Seahawks FS Earl Thomas vs. Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez: Thomas' sideline-to-sideline range allows the Seahawks to drop SS Cam Chancellor down near the line of scrimmage and present a lot of single-high looks. The two-time Pro Bowler is tied with teammate Richard Sherman for the most interceptions in the NFL with four. Gonzalez leads the Falcons with 44 catches. Gonzalez, 37, still attracts double teams because the Falcons are short of weapons. He'll be the happiest person in the Georgia Dome if wide receiver Roddy White returns to action.

Seahawks WR Golden Tate vs. Falcons CB Desmond Trufant: The dangerous Tate is the team's leading receiver, with 35 catches. He also leads the team in yards receiving (468) and touchdowns (tied with 3). The Seahawks will have to lean on Tate because they are thin at wide receiver. Trufant made his first career interception last week. He was flagged for pass interference twice on third downs last week against Carolina. He leads the Falcons with eight pass breakups.

Seahawks QB Russell Wilson vs. Falcons DEs Osi Umenyiora and Jonathan Massaquoi: Wilson has completed 62.3 percent of his passes and has rushed for 375 yards on 67 carries. Wilson can scramble and is dangerous off of designed read-option runs while faking to running back Marshawn Lynch. Umenyiora and Massaquoi must stay at home on the read-option and maintain the integrity of their rush lanes in order to contain the dangerous Wilson.