After a tough loss to the Patriots, the Falcons need to make the most of this week off. In week four they will be facing a tough and fundamentally sound 49'ers team that has proven that they can play with the big boys. Mike Singletary will have his boys fired up and ready to go as they will most likely be the underdog against a potent and explosive Atlanta offense.
The Falcons must begin by figuring out how to get the running game going. Michael Turner has only gained 226 rushing yards in the first three games of the season and is averaging 3.5 yards per carry. this is good enough to have him tied for 11th in the total rushing yards standings this season. Last year at this time, Turner had 366 rushing yards.
The trouble in the running game may have come from the talent of the opposing teams defenses, but the trouble may lay in another area. The injury of Jerious Norwood may have had a bigger impact than most think. Norwood is a good change from Turner's power running style and is a very key player in the falcons passing game out of the backfield. His injury plauged season has kept him on the bench as Jason Snelling has tried to fill the void. Snelling has provided a good passing target but Norwoods explosiveness running the ball is greatly missed.
So, lets just hope that week four sees the return of Norwood and the return of one of last years best rushing offenses.
