Norwood, Moore go down to injuries

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Running back Jerious Norwood, who was turning in a solid game, left the game in the second quarter Sunday night with a right hip flexor injury.

Chicago's defense was stuffing the Falcons rushing attack early, before the speedy Norwood changed the pace of the attack and got things going.

Norwood had four carries for 21 yards (5.3 per carry) and long of 8 yards before leaving. He also caught two passes for 12 yards to help jump-start the sluggish offense.

With fullback Ovie Mughelli already declared inactive for the game because of a calf injury, the Falcons were down to three running backs in Michael Turner, Jason Snelling and Verron Haynes.

Safety William Moore also left the game with a hamstring injury.

Both Norwood and Moore, the team's second round-draft pick, are having tough injury seasons. Norwood has missed action with a sore knee and two concussions. Moore made his debut last week against San Francisco after knee surgery and a previous hamstring injury.

Coverage units

The Falcons coverage units, which set a league record last season in punt return yards allowed, held up well against the Chicago Bears' dangerous fleet of returners.

Devin Hester came close to breaking a couple, but was held to punt returns of 19 and 33 yards in the first half. He also made two fair catches.

Chicago rookie Johnny Knox nearly got loose on a kickoff return in the second quarter. He had a 33-yard return before  Moore pushed him out of bounds.

Knox, who scored the Bears' first touchdown, had a 102-yard kickoff return against Detroit in the Bears' last game.

Lofton leads

Middle linebacker Curtis Lofton was not too happy with Falcons rookie Lawrence Sidbury when he jumped offsides in the first quarter. Lofton grabbed Sidbury's jersey to get his attention after the play.

Instead of third-and-12, the Falcons faced a third-and-7. Cornerback Brett Grimes make a nice tackle on Knox for a six-yard game and the Bears elected to punt.

Signs of times

The Falcons entered the game 9-1 in the Georgia Dome under head coach Mike Smith.

The only lost came to Jay Cutler when he was with the Denver Broncos last season.

One sign in the crowd read, "Not this time Cutler."

Turner fumbles again

Turner had his fourth fumble for the season. Chicago's linebacker Lance Briggs had the first shot at it, but bobbled it.

Matt Ryan pounced on the ball.

Before this season, Turner had just five fumbles and 604 carries.

Getting steam rolled

Chicago cornerback Zackary Bowman was run over by Turner in the second quarter. Turner caught a quick pass in the flat,  headed up field with a head of steam and knocked Bowman over backwards while picking up the first down.

Double duty

Free safety Thomas DeCoud had two interceptions in the first half. It was the first time a Falcon had a multiple interception game since DeAngelo Hall had two against Tampa Bay on Dec. 17, 2006.