By Pat Yasinskas

I’ve always said running back Michael Turner is the key to Atlanta’s offense.

I think the Atlanta Falcons still were trying to figure out exactly what they wanted to be offensively early in the season. They were trying to work in rookie receiver Julio Jones and they might have forced some things that weren’t there.

But the Falcons found more balance – and not coincidentally – more success in their offense of late. The passing game is working better, especially downfield. But Turner is a major part of the reason for that because defenses have to devote so much attention to his running.

That’s backed up by some numbers from ESPN Stats & Information.

Read the rest of Pat’s story here.

New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma remains questionable for Sunday night’s game against the Detroit Lions after practicing on a limited basis Thursday. Coach Sean Payton said he “turned the corner” in his recovery from a lingering knee injury this week but said a decision hasn’t been made yet.

Michael DeMocker/The Times-Picayune
New Orleans Saints linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar forces a fumble by
New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs on Monday night at the Superdome.

Vilma had a clean-up surgery performed on the knee three weeks ago, with the idea that he’ll be able to be back to 100 percent for the Saints’ stretch run. The team hasn’t missed a beat in the meantime, though. The Saints are a perfect 4-0 without Vilma in the lineup this year – a testament to the performance of replacement Jo-Lonn Dunbar.

Read the rest of the story here.

The New Orleans Saints sent a message on Monday night.

The NFC is not just a two-team race. The Packers and 49ers have company in the battle for conference supremacy.

Green Bay and San Francisco might be the front-runners, but there’s a black-and-gold car drafting on their bumpers. And its gas tank is full.

One thing was abundantly clear after the Saints’ 49-24 rout of the Giants on Monday night. There are teams with better records and glitzier resumes than the Saints, but no one wants to play the Saints in this city in this building right now.

Read the rest of the story here.