OWINGS MILLS, Md. The Georgia Dome figures to be considered a thunderous venue Thursday evening considering about the two the Baltimore Ravens as well as Atlanta Falcons feature powerhouse running games and stout defenses.
Something needs to supply between two hard-hitting teams.
And the collisions are anticipated to be noisy and violent.
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The Falcons' backfield is headlined by Pro Bowl running back however again Michael Turner(notes), a 5-foot-10, 247-pound bruised nicknamed "The Burner."
And the Ravens are led by Pro Bowl running back however again Ray Rice(notes), one specific while using most harmful all-purpose threats within league.
"A great offer of respect for that team, they operate the ball absolutely well," Rice said. "We operate the ball, they operate the ball. it is a matchup thing. I know it is not steering to be one specific of individuals games where it is steering to be won within 1st quarter. it is steering to be one specific while using fourth quarter games."
Turner ranks 3rd within AFC with 694 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns on 155 carries, averaging 4.5 yards every carry.
He rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns on twenty-four carries versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"Michael turner may perhaps be considered a tackle-breaker, north-south, hard-running guy," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "They contact him The Burner,' for any reason, too. He's fast, commonly has been, one specific while using premier backs within league."
Dating back however again to 2008, the Falcons have averaged 135.8 rushing yards every contest. in the course of that span, Turner has averaged 93.3 yards every contest.
"He's an fantastic running back," Ravens Pro Bowl defensive tackle Haloti Ngata(notes) said. "He generates his personal holes, and he will make his personal blocks and even now works the ball well. So, he's a absolutely superior running back however again and hopefully we are able to commence faster than we did versus Miami and cease him early."
In Sunday's 26-10 win, the Ravens permitted running back however again Ronnie Brown(notes) to get 45 of his 59 yards too as being a touchdown operate within of the Miami Dolphins' opening drive.
"With a running back however again like Michael Turner, it is tough," Ngata said. "Hopefully, we are able to convince them to cease previously and make them be considered a one-dimensional team."
The Falcons are tied for sixth within NFL in rushing offense, averaging 135.5 yards every game.
Turner experienced powerful support within backfield from previous Ravens fullback Ovie Mughelli(notes), a powerful lead blocker at 6-1, 250 pounds, too as Jason Snelling(notes) (280 rushing yards, two touchdowns, 22 catches, 125 yards, one specific score).
The Falcons have a tendency to continue being committed to their running game.
"If you enjoy their games, the thing is which they do stay to the run," All-Pro middle linebacker Ray Lewis(notes) said. "They have an fantastic running back however again in Turner that absolutely likes to get downhill. He's a physical back, and he just adores to operate between the tackles.
"It absolutely sets up Tony Gonzalez(notes) and Roddy White(notes) straight down the field. They do a great, amazing job of sticking to it. We do a pretty superior job of sticking to it as well, wishing to cease individuals from running the ball. So, it absolutely should be an fantastic check while using two sides."
The Ravens are enabling an uncharacteristic 104.8 rushing yards every game, position 13th within league in rushing defense.
Traditionally, the Ravens are one specific while using best 5 defenses within league at shutting straight down the run.
Opponents have rushed for 938 yards and 5 touchdowns, averaging 4.2 yards every carry.
"It's some men just wishing to comprehensive much more than they should," Ngata said. "I'm one specific of individuals guys. Sometimes, I'll strike a gap where I absolutely should be in another.
"It's just some men should tighten up on some things. We're getting to where we're not doing that, and we'll be considered a whole great offer better."
Rice has rushed for 606 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 4 yards every carry.
And Willis McGahee(notes) has gained 231 yards and scored 4 touchdowns.
The Ravens are ranked 11th in rushing, averaging 118.8 yards every contest with Pro Bowl fullback Le'Ron McClain(notes) working as being a physical lead blocker.
The Falcons counter with an hostile 4-3 defense that ranks sixth within league in rushing defense.
Led by working linebacker Curtis Lofton(notes), the Falcons have permitted only 95.9 rushing yards every game.
"I think they are pretty quick and instinctive," Rice said. "They are pretty fast. they'll strike you, knowning that is a challenge for us. at any time you are running straight at them, they do an fantastic job of stopping the run.
"So, we've just obtained to comprehensive an fantastic job of providing them many looks and steering available and wishing to mix up things with them."
Although the Ravens are possessing an fantastic year or so running the ball, they've been getting stonewalled within red zone.
In particular, Rice and Co. struggled near to the objective line versus the Dolphins as Baltimore went 1 for seven in red-zone scoring opportunities.
"That's some point that we've obtained to get corrected," Rice said. "The objective line is some point that within previous we've been physical straight down there. We're just wishing to relish our opportunities straight down there, and I think we're steering to comprehensive an improved job of that, absolutely find to get it commenced this week. since the year or so goes on, we absolutely have to comprehensive an improved job at that."
