Coming off a tough 25-14 home loss to the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith commented on the performance of Michael Turner and the running game.
We wanted to run the ball, we wanted to control the clock. That was part of the game plan. That's part of our DNA and the way that the game unfolded, we weren't able to sustain some drives for the reasons I just mentioned in going through the drive chart. We've got to be able to sustain drives to be able to continue to run the football.
Maybe 20 is the magical number for Turner, Smith and the Falcons?
When the star tailback gets over 20 carries this season, the Falcons are 2-0. In those two wins Turner has averaged 23.5 carries/game and 92 rushing yards/game and three touchdowns total.
However, when Turner gets less than 20 carries this season, the Falcons are 0-3. In three losses Turner has averaged 12.3 carries/game and just 58.6 rushing yards/game and just one touchdown.
Atlanta is at home this Sunday as they host the Carolina Panthers in the Georgia Dome.
For more insights about the Falcons, check out SB Nation Falcons blog The Falcoholic.