Big running backs not a huge factor

Minneapolis — The showdown between the league’s top two rushers never materialized.

Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson, who entered the game leading the league in rushing and Atlanta’s Michael Turner, the No, 2 rusher, did not dominate Sunday’s game, won by the Falcons 24-17.

Both got off to good starts, powering their teams to touchdowns on their first drives of the game. But after those drives, things slowed down. Peterson finished with 76 yards on 22 carries. Turner, who scored his 16th rushing touchdown of the season, finished with 70 yards on 19 carries.

The Falcons forced Peterson into four fumbles, and recovered two.

“We they broke free, we got them down,” Falcons safety Lawyer Milloy said. “That gave us a chance to line up again. After those big plays, we ended

up with turnovers.”

The Falcons went away from their base defense to stop Peterson and used a lot of man-to-man coverage on Minnesota’s wide receivers.

“I have to take my hat off to our cornerbacks,” Milloy said. “Pretty much all year we’ve been a base, cover-two team. But we knew we were going to need to play more eight in the box because of their running game.

“Our cornerbacks accepted that challenge. Had a good week of practice and it carried over into the game.”

The Falcons did a good job of gang tackling.

“When you get 11 guys to the ball, good things are going to happen,” safety Erik Coleman said. “We got hats on the ball and forced some fumbles.”

Anderson hurt

Defensive end Jamaal Anderson (ankle) left the game in the first half and didn’t return. Kroy Biermann took most of Anderson sacks and chased Minnesota quarterback Tarvaris Jackson out of the pocket a few times.

Milloy left the game late in the third quarter and was replaced by Jamaal Fudge.

Oklahoma reunion

Falcons middle linebacker Curtis Lofton and Vikings running back Adrian Peterson were college teammates at Oklahoma.

“We ran into each other a couple of times,” Lofton said. “I won one and he won one.”

Weems redemption

Special teamer Eric Weems had one of the missed tackles on that key kickoff return against that set up New Orleans’ winning touchdown on. Dec. 7.

Against the Vikings, he got the turnover party started with a strip of Bernard Berrian on the Falcons’ first punt of the game.

“That was a big play that Eric made,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “Those are plays that are very important.”

Weems was taking the place of David Irons (knee) and Antoine Harris (groin), both gunners who were recently placed on injured reserve.

“I just ran, did what I was supposed to,” Weems said. “They tried to single block me. But he couldn’t block me. I thought he was going to fair catch so I slowed down. After I saw him catch the ball. As soon as he caught it went for the strip.”

Etc.

Center Todd McClure dyed his Mohawk red for the game. …

Former NFL player Esera Tuaolo, who played with the Vikings and Falcons and wrote a book about begin a gay professional football player, sang the national anthem. …

With the victory over the Vikings, the Falcons completed a sweep of the NFC North teams this season. They also posted victories over Detroit, Green Bay and Chicago.