Falcons pound Redskins

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

After dismissing a spotty Washington Redskins team, 31-17 on Sunday at the Georgia Dome, the Falcons are 5-3 at the halfway point of the season.

Given a rugged patch of scheduling that included four out of the last five games on the road and facing three teams coming off bye weeks, the Falcons are pleased with their current status.

"We are right in the mix," quarterback Matt Ryan said. "That's where you want to be. It's going to come down to how we play in November and December."

After playing their next two games on the road, the Falcons close out the season with four of their last six games at the Georgia Dome, which has quickly turned into a terror dome for opponents.

The victory over the Redskins before 67,982 fans helped the Falcons improve their record to 11-1 at home under second-year coach Mike Smith.

The Falcons need a sweep of the home games and a spilt of the road games to match last season's 11-5 record, which was good enough to earn the wildcard playoff berth. Another 11-5 mark would also vanquish the franchise's dubious distinction of never having back-to-back winning seasons since its inception in 1966.

But, the Falcons, who trail the undefeated New Orleans Saints by three games, have higher aspirations.

"We just have to plan to finish strong," wide receiver Roddy White said. "We are going to get out there, get on our grind for the last eight games and hopefully go 8-0."

The victory over the Redskins was powered by running back Michael Turner, who rushed for 166 yards on 18 carries and had two touchdowns.

"I feel like I'm back to my normal self," Turner said. "I've got my confidence back up. I'm just going out there and fighting hard and playing good."

The Redskins had closed within seven, 24-17, when Turner broke loose on a 58-yard touchdown run. He hurdled Washington safety LaRon Landry and broke a meek tackle attempt from Washington cornerback DeAngelo Hall.

"I try to keep my feet on the ground and just pound guys," Turner said. "He was so low and came up so fast, I just jumped. I don't know why I did that."

Turner helped the Falcons build a 24-3 halftime lead.

The offense opened the game with a touchdown drive for the third consecutive game. Cornerback Tye Hill intercepted a Jason Campbell pass and returned it 62 yards for a touchdown to make it 14-0.

Washington got a 48-yard field goal from Shaun Suisham to make it 14-3.

On the Falcons' next possession, Turner took a toss around left end, picking up a good block from Will Svitek, and scored from 30 yards out for the halftime margin.

The Redskins came out determined in the second half after offensive line coach Joe Bugel challenged his linemen to block after they gave up five sacks in the first half.

The Redskins scored on two time-consuming drives to pull within striking distance with 13:05 to play.

Turner's hurdling and churning run gave the Falcons some room and then linebacker Mike Peterson stuffed Washington fullback Mike Sellers on a fourth-and-1 pass for a loss of two yards with 6:12 to play.

"You almost feel like the offense is disrespecting you, trying to go for it on fourth and one," Peterson said. "It's a big play. We had to take care of our assignments and get off the field."

Earlier in the game, Ryan was hit while running out of bounds, and a near melee broke out on the Falcons' sidelines. Hall, a former Falcon, was in the middle of the mess.

"That's just part of the game, and those things are going to happen," Ryan said. "You just have to keep playing. I was running back to the huddle, so I didn't see anything in there."

Ryan is looking forward to the second half of the season, which starts with a NFC South game at Carolina next Sunday.

"You give yourself a chance in the first couple of months of the season, then it comes down to playing well down the stretch," said Ryan.