The No. 2 passing defense in the NFL lost two of their key cogs in Browner and Thurmond to substance-abuse suspensions as the Saints' No. 2 passing offense will arrive in Seattle this weekend. Now the Seahawks will have Richard Sherman and a band of backups at cornerback trying to defend Jimmy Graham and a slew of Saints pass catchers.

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said cornerback play is a central part of what has made his team so successful the past two seasons. But Carroll didn't seem fazed by the loss of Browner and Thurmond, touting the "next guy up" mantra.

Pick your poison: Over those final 20 minutes, it was Falcons receiver Harry Douglas who suddenly started getting open for those mid-range passes. He had six catches for 63 yards in the second half -- mostly in soft pockets of zone defenses, but at least once in front of safety Kenny Vaccaro and once in front of safety Malcolm Jenkins.