ATLANTA — Michael Turner ran for three touchdowns and the Atlanta Falcons scored the first 24 points to beat Kansas City 38-14 on Sunday, handing the Chiefs their 12th straight loss.
Turner had scoring runs of 4, 1 and 2 yards, his first game with three rushing touchdowns, while leading the Falcons with 104 yards rushing. Jerious Norwood added 75 yards rushing.
On the first play of the Falcons’ fourth drive, Turner dragged Chiefs linebacker Pat Thomas for a few steps before breaking free and running through other defenders for a 38-yard run from the Falcons’ 8. A 30-yard pass from Matt Ryan to Norwood helped set up Turner’s first TD run.
Turner’s determined run helped to soften the Kansas City defense. Ryan found Roddy White for a 70-yard touchdown pass on Atlanta’s next possession, and the Falcons (2-1) were on their way to a big early lead.
“They came out playing great defense,” Turner said. “We have to be patient for the run and big things are going to happen.”
Tyler Thigpen, the third starting quarterback in three weeks for Kansas City (0-3), threw three interceptions in his first career start. The third interception, by cornerback Chris Houston, was returned 10 yards for a touchdown with 1:01 left in the game.
“I didn’t play up to my expectations,” Thigpen said.
