If the Falcons are looking for things to draw on that are different from recent one-and-done trips to the playoffs, they could start with Michael Turner.
The Falcons’ running back has carried the ball 222 times this season, well below his 301 total of last season, which was second-most in the NFL. That leaves him feeling that much fresher as the Falcons enter the divisional round of the playoffs Jan. 13.
Entering the Falcons previous three playoffs trips, in 2008, 2010 and 2012, Turner had 376, 334 and 301 carries in the regular season, respectively. He led the NFL in that category in 2008 and 2010. In each of those three ensuing playoffs losses, Turner had no more than 42 yards rushing.
Turner rushed 18 times for 42 yards in 2008 against Arizona, 10 times for 39 yards in 2010 against Green Bay and 15 times for 41 years in 2011 against the Giants.
In first-year coordinator Dirk Koetter’s offense, the Falcons don’t use the power run game as they have in the past. But that means Turner is fresher, both by circumstances and by design.
“I tore my groin the last two years, one side one year, the other side the next year,” Turner said. “So I don’t have those problems coming into this year. I’m good.”
The Falcons finished the regular season ranked 29th of 32 teams in the NFL, with only 87.3 yards rushing per game. But the three teams they could match up with next week, Washington (169.3), Minnesota (164.6) and Seattle (161.2), rank first, second and third respectively. The Falcons know they’re not in that conversation anymore, but still see the importance of running the ball with success in the playoffs, using Turner up the middle and Jacquizz Rogers on the edge.
“I think we’re our best when the run is working,” offensive tackle Tyson Clabo said. “Now whether or not we’re leaning on it, and running it every play, that’s probably not going to happen. But when our run game is successful, 4 or 5 yards a carry, I think we’re at our best at that point.”
Injury update: The Falcons are taking full advantage of their bye week, treating practice this week like training camp in that they're emphasizing both working on the fundamentals and resting players. There's no need to rush back players such as defensive end John Abraham, (sprained ankle), cornerback Dunta Robinson (concussion) and safety William Moore (hamstring) until next week.
“You want to have the healthiest possible team in the opener of the playoffs,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “We’ve got some guys who have some bumps and bruises that have gone through a 16-game regular season and need some rest. We’re going to make sure that they’re going to be as healthy as possible.”
After practicing outside on the natural grass field Wednesday, the Falcons moved inside to their indoor facility Thursday, giving the team a break from temperatures in the 40s. The Falcons have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and won’t play games in the elements anyway. They could conceivably play two rounds in the Georgia Dome, and the Super Bowl is at the Superdome in New Orleans.
Picking up pass rush: Abraham is expected to be back in action from a sprained ankle by the time the Falcons play Jan. 13, but the Falcons' leading pass rusher might not be 100 percent or able to play as many snaps as usual.
The Falcons could use a lift from defensive end Kroy Biermann, who finished second on the team in sacks this season with four, behind Abraham’s 10.
Biermann has a career-high 52 tackles this season, and his four sacks are the most since his five in 2009.
“I’ve flied around,” Biermann said. “I’ve fit into the scheme and the positions that they put me into. I’ve played hard. Numbers don’t always tell things. Obviously every guy wants those numbers, but that’s not always the full story of a guy’s play.
“But personally, I want to step that area up, and have every year that I’ve been here, and have got to find a way to work and to get it done.”
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