January 15, 2013

Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner runs the ball against Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker K.J. Wright during the second quarter in their NFL NFC Divisional playoff football game in Atlanta, Georgia January 13, 2013. REUTERS/Chris Keane

FLOWERY - On paper, the Atlanta Falcons’ running attack posed about as much of a threat to the Seattle Seahawks defence as Joan Rivers.

Yet the Falcons ran at the Seahawks — often and effectively.

And they didn’t require grotesque facelifts to do it.

That Atlanta’s big-play passing attack victimized Seattle’s league-best scoring defence on Sunday raised few eyebrows. That running backs Michael Turner and Jacquizz Rodgers repeatedly bludgeoned the Seahawks on the ground, however, raised eyebrows everywhere.

Turner churned out 98 yards on 14 carries, and Rodgers 64 yards on 10 carries, as the Falcons averaged 6.4 yards per carry in their 30-28 defeat of the Seahawks in the divisional playoff round.