The Falcons, who will play without starting running back Steven Jackson, have averaged 62 yards rushing per game, which ranks tied for 26th in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys.
Only Miami (60.5), Cleveland (56), Jacksonville (52.5), Pittsburgh (37.5) and the New York Giants (36.5) have rushed for fewer yards through Week 2. If you take out Jackson’s 50-yard run against New Orleans, the rushing totals would be even more anemic at 37 yards per game.
“There isn’t much that I can say about it,” left guard Justin Blalock said. “When you are not having success, it’s difficult to keep doing it. Especially, when you have the weapons that we have on the outside (at wide receiver).”
Whatever the issue, Blalock places the blame on the offensive line.
“I don’t know what the cause of it is,” Blalock said. “Whatever it is, the run game hasn’t been what it should be, and the onus is on us up front, no matter what the reason is.”
Jason Snelling and Jacquizz Rodgers will take over for Jackson, who’s out with a hamstring injury and could miss to two to three weeks.
“We have to be physical at the point of attack and block,” Snelling said. “We have to sustain and finish. The runners have to run, use their reads and run physical.”
Snelling had an 11-yard touchdown run against the Rams to help secure the victory.
“Every opportunity that I get to run the ball I want to be physical,” Snelling said. “I want to make those linebackers and linemen feel my presence. I want to wear them down so that we can get those explosive runs and keep them chains moving.”
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