Sixteen Players To Watch: Falcons at 49ers
The Falcons travel west to face the 49ers in the season's final Monday Night Football game in Week 16. Here is a look at sixteen players to watch for from each team.
Rookie CB Desmond Trufant has really come into his own as the season has progressed. He snagged his second interception of the season in Week 15. Can Trufant continue to make game changing plays?
LB Ahmad Brooks is known for his hits around the league. In the NFC Championship game last season, Falcons QB Matt Ryan suffered a Grade 2 AC joint sprain after taking a hit from Brooks.
DE Jonathan Massaquoi played 58 of 67 defensive snaps in the Falcons Week 15 game against the Redskins. Will Massaquoi continue to handle playing 85 percent of the snaps against the 49ers?
LB Aldon Smith registered 2 sacks in the 49ers Week 15 game, giving him 12 career multi-sack performances. Can the Falcons offensive line keep Smith off of QB Matt Ryan?
RB Steven Jackson has scored five touchdowns in the last four games. With the 49ers ranking sixth against the run, will Jackson be able to find the end zone on Monday night?
LB Patrick Willis has been the face of consistency for the 49ers defense. Will the Falcons be able to contain him from making explosive plays?
TE Tony Gonzalez has caught a touchdown in each of his past two games. One of the 49ers defensive strengths has been defending tight ends. How will Gonzalez fare against a stout San Fran defense?
QB Colin Kaepernick has shown vast improvement as the season has gone on. Kaepernick is averaging 8.07 yards per attempt over the last month, with seven touchdown passes and one interception.
CB Robert Alford has seen increased playing time as the season comes to an end. Alford played all 68 defensive snaps against the Redskins. How much playing time will he see in Week 16?
The 49ers rank fifth in rushing yards per game, with RB Frank Gore setting the pace as the NFL's eighth-leading rusher. Can the Falcons defense prevent Gore from finding the holes to make big running plays?
WR Roddy White had a solid game with five catches for 53 yards against Washington in Week 15. How many receiving yards will White have against a strong 49ers defense?
S Donte Whitner has improved on pass coverage this season. He's also among the NFL's hardest-hitting safeties and an elite run-stopper.
S William Moore had an interception, a fumble recovery and five tackles last week. Is there anything this hard-hitting safety can't do?
TE Vernon Davis needs one more touchdown to match his career high of 13 set in 2009. Will he achieve this at the 49ers last night playing at Candlestick?
WR Harry Douglas needs 37 yards to reach 1,000 for the first time in his career. Will Douglas be able to achieve this mark against the 49ers?
WR Michael Crabtree made his season debut in Week 13, due to injury. Crabtree gives QB Colin Kaepernick another weapon to work with on the field. Will Crabtree find the end zone this week?
