Raiders key matchup No. 3: Branch vs. Gonzalez

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the first part in a series that spotlights three Raiders-Falcons matchups to watch Sunday, 10 a.m. (CBS) at the Georgia Dome.

Raiders S Tyvon Branch vs. Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez
Tale of the tape
Tyvon Branch: 6-foot, 205 pounds, fifth season, Connecticut
Tony Gonzalez: 6-foot-5, 243 pounds, 16th season, CaliforniaWith his career success against the Raiders, Sunday figures to be another brick in Tony Gonzalez's path to Canton. Branch hopes to serve as a road block.Gonzalez, coming off a 13-catch day against Washington, needs just one touchdown reception to become the eighth member of the 100 TD Catches Club, and with 13,726 career receiving yards, needs 52 yards to pass Henry Ellard for No. 9 on the league's all-time receiving list. Then there's this -- with 11 catches, Gonzalez joins Jerry Rice as the only pass catcher in NFL history with at least 15 seasons of 50-or-more receptions.Id be lying to you if I told you I didnt take satisfaction (from the accomplishments)," Gonzalez said in a conference call with Bay Area reporters this week. "Im always of the mindset, 'Ill rest on my laurels when I get done playing.'"All the milestones that Ive been able to reach, thats been great. That was never anything that I intended to do. Ive always taken it one season at a time and Im happy as hell for it. Ive been around some good coordinators, some guys that trust me and give me the ball. I want to keep going though. Whatever numbers Im at now, I want to keep adding to them. Thats why Im going to prepare. I want to go out and play my best football."At 36 years of age, Gonzalez's 13 catches last week are the second-most in his career, behind only the 14 receptions he had on Jan. 2, 2005 for Kansas City against San Diego. He is a 12-time Pro Bowler and five-time first-team All-Pro."Tonys one of those veteran guys thats been playing for a while, so he gets away with a little more than most guys," said Tyvon Branch, the Raiders strong safety who leads the team with 31 tackles, 25 solo. "But hes a good target, and Matt Ryan has a lot of confidence in him."RELATED: Falcons coach Smith says Raiders are a very talented football team
So how should the Raiders defend him?"Im sure were going to throw a lot of different stuff at him," Branch said."Diversifying your defense is the best defense. Having diversity is the best defense. I dont care, in any sport, being able to adjust is the best way to guard anyone. So, Im sure were going to throw some different looks at him."Adding intrigue to the mix is the fact that Gonzalez grew up in the Los Angeles area as a fan of the then-L.A. Raiders, even before his starring role in the epic Raiders-Kansas City Chiefs rivalry.In 22 career games against the Raiders, all with the Chiefs, Gonzalez has 110 catches for 1,473 yards with eight touchdowns. This weekend, though, will be the last time he faces Oakland as he plans on retiring at the end of the year. He is in his fourth year with the Falcons."I tell people (Oakland) is one of my favorite places to play," he said. "Going out there and going into that chaos out there with all those fans and that nuttiness, I kind of miss that.RELATED: Raiders still looking for a pick
"I have done pretty well against them. They have broken my heart a couple of times. I remember we jumped out to like a 17-nothing lead one time we were at home and they came back and beat us. (Sebastian) Janikowski, he has broken my heart a couple of times so its a lot of ups and downs and some great memories."Branch and the Raiders hope to send him out with one last heartbreak.