5 things to know before today's Colts at Falcons kickoff

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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s D. Orlando Ledbetter and CineSport’s Noah Coslov talk about the challenges the Colts (4-5) will present this week against the Falcons (6-3) and the team’s offensive game plan on Sunday.

Falcons running back Devonta Freeman is determined to land the starting spot on the offense.

Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter

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Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter

Here are 5 things to mull over before today’s 1 p.m. kickoff between the Colts (4-5) and the Falcons (6-3) at the Georgia Dome.

1. NO FLY ZONE: The Falcons defense has held its last three opponents to under 200 yards passing -- 49ers (185 yards), Buccaneers (173) and Titans (179).

2. STOPPING GORE IS KEY: Indianapolis is taking veteran running back Frank Gore off his pitch count for the Falcons. Gore has rushed for 599 yards on 148 carries and four touchdowns. The Colts will attempt to lean on their rushing attack in order to help out 40-year old quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. The Falcons only gave up 88.9 yards per game, which ranks third in the league.

3. HASSLING HASSLEBECK: The Falcons have just 10 sacks on the season, but are moving defensive end Vic Beasley over to the left side and O'Brien Schofield to the right side in some nickel pass rushing situations. They are hoping to get a better pass rush against 40-year old quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.

4. THE ANDERSON GROUP: The game will be officiated by Walt Anderson's crew. He's been an official since 1996. He was promoted to referee in 2003. He runs a no nonsense operation in the trenches with an eye for illegal hands to the face and roughing the passer penalties.

5. SERIES RECORD: This will be the 16th meeting between the Falcons and the Colts. The Colts hold a 13-2 edge over the Falcons, who won the last meeting 31-7 on Nov. 6, 2011 in Indianapolis.

FALCONS' GAMEDAY COVERAGE

Kyle Shanahan has a quick fix for the offense

BEHIND ENEMY LINES: Hasselbeck impressed with Falcons' secondary

ANALYTICS: Hasselbeck has played well in his two starts

QB CORNER: Matt Ryan on the Colts

Free Safety Ricardo Allen to match wits with savvy Hasselbeck

Falcons look to ramp up pass rush with moves

Here's how the Falcons achieved their 6-3 start

Here's a look back at the game stories, news and notes from the Falcons' 17-16 loss to San Francisco, the 23-20 overtime loss to Tampa Bay,  win over the Titans (10-7), loss to the Saints (31-21) and their victories over the Redskins (25-19 in OT), Texans (48-21), Cowboys (39-28), Giants (24-20) and Eagles (26-24).

SAN FRANCISCO GAME COVERAGE -- 49ERS 17, Falcons 16

5 things we learned from the Falcons' 17-16 loss to the 49ers

How the 49ers beat the Falcons, 17-16

JEFF SCHULTZ: Latest Falcons' embarrassment is on Dan Quinn

Gabbert, 49ers make Falcons defense look weak

Weems provides brief spark with big returns

PHOTOS -- Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers

TAMPA BAY GAME COVERAGE -- Bucs 23, Falcons 20 in OT

5 things we learned in the Falcons' 23-20 loss to the Bucs

How the Falcons lost to the Bucs in OT

10 comments from Dan Quinn after the loss to the Bucs

Adams disagreed with overtime pass interference call

Matt Ryan's miscues help to gift the Bucs' 20 points

QUOTEBOARD: What the Falcons were saying after the 23-20 loss to the Bucs

Tampa Bay QB Jameis Winston bests his role model: 'Mr. Ryan'

Falcons defense holds up, but forces no turnovers

Falcons rallied behind wide receiver Julio Jones

Bucs rookie linebacker Alexander dedicates win to deceased brother

TENNESSEE GAME COVERAGE -- Falcons 10, Titans 7

5 things we learned from the Falcons' 10-7 victory over the Titans

BRADLEY: Falcons do enough to survive

10 comments from Dan Quinn after the Falcons' 10-7 victory over the Titans

NEW ORLEANS GAME COVERAGE -- Saints 31, Falcons 21

5 things we learned in the Falcons' 31-21 loss to the Saints

Saints hand Falcons their first loss -- Quarter by Quarter

Matt Ryan: 'It was a tough night'

What the Falcons had to say after their 31-21 loss to the Saints

Why didn't the Falcons feed Freeman? -- Mike Check

Falcons flash some of their ugly past -- Jeff Schultz column

Falcons-Saints by the numbers

WASHINGTON GAME COVERAGE -- Falcons 25, Redskins 19 in OT

Falcons pull out 25-19 victory over Redskins in OT -- Quarter by Quarter

5 things we learned in the Falcons' 25-19 win over the Redskins

What the Falcons had to say after the 25-19 win

Ryan, offense struggle with turnovers

Mark Bradley column: The Frenetic Falcons: Five-and-oh-my!

Roddy White hears support from the crowd

15 comments from Dan Quinn on the Falcons' victory

Roddy White: 'I'll be a Falcons for life'

Tweetcap: Falcons beat Redskins in OT

TEXANS GAME COVERAGE -- Falcons 48, Texans 21

How the Falcons hammered the Texans -- Quarter by Quarter

5 things we learned from the Falcons' 48-21 win over the Texans

Devonta Freeman stars again for the Falcons

What the Falcons had to say after pummeling the Texans

9 comments from Dan Quinn on the Falcons' victory

Jeff Schult'z column: Devonta Freeman, 7 TDs -- who didn't see that coming

Schraeder, Matthews keep Watt in check

Hankerson turns in a 100-yard receiving day (second of his career)

Houston's J.J. Watt tips hat to the Falcons

Former Falcons great Jessie Tuggle honored during Texans game

COWBOYS GAME COVERAGE -- Falcons 39, Cowboys 28

Falcons 39, Cowboys 28 -- Quarter by Quarter

5 things we learned from the Falcons' 39-28 win over the Cowboys

Mark Bradley's short takes: Julio, Freeman and the defense

Devonta Freeman is catalyst for Falcons run game

QUOTEBOARD: What the Falcons had to say after beating Dallas

Julio Jones does it again: 12 catches, 164 yards and two touchdowns

Mark Bradley column: A dominant half shows what he Falcons could be

Offensive line cracked the run-game code

Ryan directed second-half fireworks show

Beasley help lead resurgence on defense

Where's Falcons wide receiver Roddy White?

GIANTS GAME COVERAGE -- Falcons 24, Giants 20

Falcons 24, Giants 20 -- Quarter by Quarter

5 things we learned from Falcons' 24-20 win over the Giants

Mark Bradley column -- Don't stop believin': Dan Quinn's men are 2-0

A record day for Julio Jones: 13 receptions

Kroy Biermann: 'We're a ball-attacking team'

EAGLES GAME COVERAGE -- FALCONS 26, EAGLES 24

5 things we learned from Falcons' upset win over Eagles

Matt Ryan leads Falcons to 26-24 win over the Eagles

Jeff Schultz column: An impressive debut by Quinn's new Falcons

Mark Bradley column: A new year: The Falcons dig deep and hang on

Julio Jones moves into fifth on Falcons' all-time receiving list

Tevin Coleman powers new rushing attack

Ricardo Allen seals victory in first start at free safety

4 questions with Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones after the game

Falcons' revamped offensive line shows positive signs

Falcons quotes after their victory over the Eagles

Falcons-Eagles: By The Numbers