When the Falcons made their draft day trade for Julio Jones, there was a lot of talk about a new, more pass-oriented offensive approach in Atlanta.
It wasn’t in evidence on Sunday afternoon, but the Falcons got a much needed 31-17 win all the same. The Falcons got a big effort from Michael Turner, who ran for 139 yards on 27 carries and two touchdowns. His second touchdown came after the biggest defensive play of the game, an interception by defensive tackle Corey Peters on a poorly thrown screen pass by Cam Newton, and gave Atlanta its final margin of victory.
Turner did the heavy lifting on that touchdown drive and he carried the ball 10 times across the two fourth quarter touchdown drives that gave the Falcons the victory. It wasn’t the most thrilling brand of football you’ll ever see, but it was awfully effective against a Panthers team that couldn’t come up with stops down the stretch.
Newton had a rough second half after an opening drive that ended with his sixth touchdown run of the season. He celebrated that score by breaking out the touchdown dance made famous by Deion Sanders, a move that might have awakened whatever ghosts reside at the Georgia Dome. Newton completed just one of his next four passes, including the big interception, and took a sack as the Falcons scored the last 17 points of the game.
The Atlanta defense did an excellent job of keeping Newton from making big plays with his feet or his arm, another return to the standard set last season by a Falcons team that needed this win to keep from reaching panic mode around the team. Mission accomplished and, perhaps, a foundation to build on going forward has been established.