Kickoff, TV: 6:20 p.m., NFL
The skinny: The Falcons, who are battling for an NFC wild-card berth, have had a strange week that started with coach Mike Smith being briefly hospitalized after last Sunday’s game. Atlanta usually is a much better team at home, especially quarterback Matt Ryan and tailback Michael Turner. Turner has 29 rushing TDs in the Georgia Dome since signing with the Falcons in 2008. When he has at least 23 attempts in a game, the Falcons are 21-1.
The difference will be: If the Falcons play like the playoff team they say they want to be. They started 2-3 before winning six of their last eight. To keep their momentum, the Falcons will have to slow Jaguars tailback Maurice Jones-Drew, who leads the NFL in rushing with 1,222 yards. Jones-Drew has rushed for at least 85 yards in 12 games.
Jeff Legwold, The Denver Post
