Rife with options, Falcons excelling in red zone

By Ken Sugiura

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Sunday night, the Chicago Bears had it all over the Falcons statistically.

They outgained the home team by 120 yards, had a higher yards-per-play average and out-performed them on third down.

But one other statistic spelled the difference in the game: the Falcons made touchdowns on both of their trips to the red zone; the Bears came away with just seven points on four red-zone possessions.

"I kind of think we just smell it," said running back Michael Turner, who scored the game-winning touchdown on a 5-yard run in the fourth quarter. "You've got to take advantage of those points. We just know we've got to score touchdowns in this league to win football games. Three points aren't going to cut it every time we get down there."

The Falcons have been calling on kicker Jason Elam a lot more for extra points than field goals. The Falcons have scored 11 touchdowns on 17 red-zone possessions, a 64.7 percent rate that exceeds their 2008 average of 55.4. Last season, only two NFL teams converted better than 64.7 percent.

If you're looking for explanations, start with the new guy wearing No. 88. With sure hands and a power forward's frame, tight end Tony Gonzalez is a red zone luxury item.

"He's a red zone killer," wide receiver Roddy White said. "You can't match up with him. There's nobody that you can put down there on him and stop him."

Gonzalez was typically productive against the Bears, with a 10-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Matt Ryan in the second quarter and a key 15-yard red-zone grab on the Falcons' go-ahead drive late in the fourth quarter.

"I think me being a big body, the ball doesn’t just have to come directly to you," Gonzalez said. "The ball can be in your area in a circumference around you and if the ball's in that area, you should be able to go up and catch it, especially if you're a big body."

All six of Turner's touchdowns this season have been red zone scores.

"We've got so many weapons on this team, we're going to be pretty tough" in the red zone, Turner said. "We expect to score."