A look at how the Falcons’ running backs match up against the Saints’ linebackers:
Falcons’ starters
Running back Michael Turner and fullback Mike Cox
Falcons’ key reserves
Running back Jacquizz Rodgers and running back/fullback Jason Snelling
Saints’ starters
Strongside linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar, middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma and weakside linebacker Scott Shanle. If Vilma (knee) does not play, Dunbar moves to middle, Shanle to strongside and Jonathan Casillas plays weakside.
Saints’ key reserves
Will Herring and Ramon Hunter
Matchup to watch:
Dunbar and Cox
During their three-game winning streak, the Falcons have re-emphasized the run and have averaged 152.7 yards rushing.
Turner, after rushing for more than 100 yards in two consecutive games, was on his way to another 100-yard game Sunday when the team pulled him with 2:50 left in the third quarter against the Colts. He had 71 yards on 19 carries.
Turner is on pace to rush for 1,384 yards and 14 yards and is closing in on the franchise all-time rushing-touchdown record and the mark for most 100-yard games.
After scoring a touchdown against the Colts, Turner pulled within two scores of Gerald Riggs’ franchise record for career rushing touchdowns.
Riggs, who played for the Falcons from 1982-88, scored 48 touchdowns. Turner has 23 100-yard games, and Riggs has 24.
Vilma is battling a knee injury. Casillas started at weakside linebacker Sunday against Tampa Bay and led the Saints with 10 tackles. Dunbar moved over to the middle, and Shanle played strongside.
Cox, who is replacing the injured Ovie Mughelli, made some key lead blocks against the Colts. He’ll have some collisions with Dunbar.
The Falcons have been increasing Rodgers’ load. He rushed 10 times for 44 yards against Indianapolis, and they plan to get Snelling more involved during the second half of the season.
“We try to set parameters, but those are just parameters,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “It’s really going to be the feel of the game and who’s got the hot hand and how they’re trying to defend us.
“Michael is our number one back, there’s no doubt about it. Sometimes, if he’s getting stronger as the game goes on, it’s going to be tough not to give him those carries.”
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