2013 NFL Playoffs: Falcons hope Kroy Biermann can step up

The Atlanta Falcons are hoping defensive end Kroy Biermann can pick up the slack if John Abraham isn't 100 percent healthy for the playoffs, writes D. Orlando Ledbetter of the AJC.

Abraham is expected to play next Sunday, but he's battling through a sprained ankle. If Abraham isn't his normal self, Biermann might need to fill the holes to help Atlanta's pass rush:

"I've flied around," Biermann said. "I've fit into the scheme and the positions that they put me into. I've played hard. Numbers don't always tell things. Obviously every guy wants those numbers. But that's not always the full story of a guy's play. But personally, I want to step that area up and have every year that I've been here and have got to find a way to work and to get it done."

The fifth-year veteran recorded a career-high 46 total tackles this season, including 31 solo tackles. He also had four sacks, which was second on the team to Abraham's 10.

Atlanta hopes its four-time Pro Bowler, Abraham, is ready for the playoffs. Abraham, who has been with the Falcons since 2006, recorded 37 tackles and 10 sacks this year. In seven years with the Falcons, Abraham has recorded 68 1/2 sacks.

The Falcons will play either the Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks or the Washington Redskins on Jan. 13 at 1 p.m. on FOX.