Falcons vs. Bears preview

Atlanta Falcons

Falcons vs. Bears preview

Atlanta Falcons host Chicago Bears at Georgia Dome, Oct. 12, 2008.

With the Falcons determined to run the football against one of the best run defenses in the NFL, Sunday's matchup against the Bears at the Georgia Dome promises to be old-school smash mouth affair. Falcons running back Michael Turner's 543 yards has caught the Bears attention. "We've got our work cut out for us." Chicago middle linebacker Brian Urlacher said. "This is going to be one of those very physical football games," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "It will be a good 15-rounder."

Most know about Devin Hester's return capabilities, but he's also showing signs of developing into a decent receiver in his third year in the league. He has 10 catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns this season. "He looks more like an athlete out there," Falcons safety Lawyer Milloy said. "That's what gotten him by." Hester's also a running threat. "We definitely have to know where he's at."

Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher gets all of the headlines, but defensive end Alex Brown, defensive tackle Tommie Harris and linebacker Lance Briggs also deliver major pain. "The strength of their team is the front seven, Urlacher and Briggs are the quarterbacks of the defense," Falcons fullback Ovie Mughelli said. "As they go, so goes the team." The Falcons plan to attack Urlacher and Briggs in the run game.

Each quarterback set career highs in yards passing in road wins last week. Chicago's Kyle Orton (above) passed for 334 yards with two TDs and no interceptions in 34-7 win at Detroit. Atlanta's Matt Ryan passed for 194 yards with two TDs and one interception in 27-24 win at Green Bay.

The Falcons have a good scouting report on Bears running back Matt Forte, who leads NFL rookies with 383 yards rushing and is fourth overall with 555 total yards. He played for tight ends coach Chris Scelfo, when he was the head coach at Tulane. "He can catch a football as well as any back that I've been around," Scelfo said. "They can do a lot with him. We did. For him, the thing that he's a little bit deceptive with, is his power."

Atlanta place kicker Jason Elam is perfect on 11 field goal attempts and has made 26 straight since last miss for Denver on Nov. 4, 2007, at Detroit.

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With the Falcons determined to run the football against one of the best run defenses in the NFL, Sunday's matchup against the Bears at the Georgia Dome promises to be old-school smash mouth affair. Falcons running back Michael Turner's 543 yards has caught the Bears attention. "We've got our work cut out for us." Chicago middle linebacker Brian Urlacher said. "This is going to be one of those very physical football games," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "It will be a good 15-rounder."

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