3 key matchups: Falcons at Texans

Here are three key matchups to watch when the Falcons (1-3) face the Texans (2-2) at 1 p.m. Sunday at NRG Stadium:

Falcons CB Desmond Trufant vs. Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins: Trufant will be looking to bounce back from a shaky outing last week against the Titans. The dynamic Hopkins is the Texans' leading receiver with 24 catches for 259 yards and two touchdowns. He was held to five catches and 41 yards in last week's 16-10 loss to the Panthers. With second-year cornerback Isaiah Oliver struggling, the Falcons need to consider having Trufant following Hopkins. "He's one of the top receivers in the league," Falcons passing game coordinator Jerome Henderson said. "Tremendous hands, a tremendous competitor. The quarterback believes in him and will gave him a chance to make plays down the field. He's a problem." But will that match Trufant on Hopkins? "I'd like not to get into game planning about whether if we match or don't match," Henderson said. "But I will tell you that he's a challenge going into the game that we've got to limit his impact on the game."

Falcons DE Takk McKinley vs. Texans LT Laremy Tunsil: The Falcons pass rush has been non-existent in part because they haven't been able to stop the run on first and second down to create some favorable rush situations. The Falcons must keep the integrity of their rush lanes against the elusive Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. Tunsil, who had the most bizarre draft day in recent history, was acquired in a trade with the Dolphins. "We need to put them into more spaces where we can get more pass rushing opportunities for sure," Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. "When we do that, that's when we are at our best."