FLOWERY BRANCH -- To help their pass protection and set up Matt Ryan’s play-action passes, the Falcons (0-2) must establish their rushing attack when they face the New York Giants (0-2) at 1 p.m. Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
Mike Davis has 24 carries for 83 yards (3.6 yards per carry), and Cordarrelle Patterson has 14 carries for 65 yards (4.6 yards per carry).
The Giants gave up 87 yards on 22 carries in a 30-29 loss to the Washington Football Team on Sept. 16. Denver rushed for 165 yards on 28 carries in a 27-13 victory over the Giants on Sept. 12. The Broncos stats were skewed by a 70-yard touchdown run by Broncos running back Melvin Gordon.
Falcons offensive coordinator Dave Ragone believes the staff can put more on Davis and Patterson.
“The way that those two run the football, in my mind they are not just a certain type of a back,” Ragone said. “They are able to do different schemes, which we hope moving forward presents issues for the (opposing) defenses.”
Ragone worked with Davis and Patterson during his time with the Chicago Bears before joining the Falcons’ staff.
“They run with a certain attitude,” Ragone said. “They make sure as they move forward during the game that they don’t let up. It’s a mind-set of physicality. For me, that should bode well as the season continues for both of those guys and the guys up front because they appreciate the way that those guys are running the football.”
Patterson was drafted as a wide receiver in 2013 by the Vikings, but he’s playing nearly full-time running back with the Falcons.
“This is a football player,” Ragone said. “He loves football. It’s not just certain aspects of it. He loves everything that comes with it.”
Ragone was asked if Patterson could carry more of a rushing load.
“Again, whatever we feel makes us a better football team, a better offense,” Ragone said. “We are going to use all of our different pieces the right way and get those guys in position, and CP is no different.”
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Falcons at New York Giants, Sept. 26 at 1 p.m.
Washington FT at Falcons, Oct. 3 at 1 p.m.
New York Jets vs. Falcons in London, Oct. 10 at 9:30 a.m.
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