Falcons, like Bears, come in with momentum
Some might scoff at Bears linebackers coach Lloyd Lee reportedly calling Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner a "modern-day Jim Brown."
The notion really isn't far-fetched. Just look at these similarities between the Burner from Northern Illinois and one of the NFL's greatest legends.
Turner currently leads the NFL in rushing, something Brown did several times.
Turner jumped from San Diego to Atlanta as a free agent last winter and, in his first game with the Falcons, broke the franchise record for rushing yards with 220.
Brown never switched teams, but he did jump from the Cleveland Browns to MGM after the 1965 season to film "The Dirty Dozen." Brown's first full-time turn as an action hero won an Oscar ... for best sound effects.
Now here's a closer look at the Falcons (3-2), who host the Bears on Sunday at the Georgia Dome:
Strength of schedule: The Falcons were far from a proven commodity through four weeks. They had beaten two bad teams, Detroit and Kansas City, while losing soundly to Carolina and Tampa Bay, a couple of teams the Bears had on the ropes.
But then came last Sunday's impressive 27-24 victory at Green Bay, which earned greater respect for Turner, who ran for 121 yards, and rookie quarterback Matt Ryan.
Ryan's average passer rating was 128.8 against the Lions and Chiefs but just 45.2 against the Bucs and Panthers. He turned in a respectable 94.1 rating last week in Green Bay.
Family ties: If you can name the Falcons head coach, consider yourself an NFL expert. It's Mike Smith, who once spent 12 straight years as an assistant coach at Tennessee Tech.
Smith also happens to be the brother-in-law of former Ravens coach Brian Billick - their wives are sisters. Billick brought Smith to the NFL in 1999. Smith spent the previous five years as Jacksonville's defensive coordinator.
Conflict of interest alert: Billick is scheduled to work Sunday's game as an analyst for Fox, alongside Thom Brennaman.
Jerious is dangerous: Besides Turner, Atlanta also has one of the league's best No. 2 runners in third-year back Jerious Norwood. He's averaging 6.6 yards per carry this year and was also above 6.0 in each of his first two seasons.
Knockout receiver: Atlanta's dominant receiver is Roddy White, who ranks third in the NFC with 445 receiving yards. But he's listed a questionable for Sunday's game and has been sidelined since a practice collision with Lawyer Milloy on Wednesday left White with a head injury. The Falcons' No. 2 receiver, 5-foot-9 Adam Jennings, has just 9 catches, but one went for a 62-yard touchdown.
One-man rush: Falcons defensive end John Abraham leads the NFL with 7 sacks. Coach Smith said this week he's been limiting Abraham's playing time in hopes of getting more production when he is in the game. But besides Abraham, who can play on either end of the line, Atlanta has collected just 2 sacks. The Bears have 12 as a team.
Pressure is on: Ryan has been sacked seven times this season, four fewer than Kyle Orton. But when Tampa Bay's pass rush got to him four times in Week 2, Ryan had a miserable game, completing 13 of 33 passes with 2 interceptions.
Soft through the air: Atlanta ranks 23rd in overall defense. In the last two weeks, the Falcons have allowed 607 passing yards, with 6 plays of 25 or more yards.
Old face, new place: Following 15 years in Denver, kicker Jason Elam, 38, signed with Atlanta as a free agent. So far, he is 11-for-11 on field goals this season, with 5 of 40 yards or more.
Older face, new place: Former Bears safety Doug Plank - the No. 46 in Buddy Ryan's famous 46 defense - is working for the Falcons as a special assistant. For now, Plank has kept his day job as coach of Arena Football's Georgia Force.
Fast stats: The Falcons have outscored the opposition 48-14 in the first quarter this season. ... The Bears haven't lost to Atlanta since 1998, winning three straight in the series.