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Countdown to Kickoff 2024: 100 days, 100-yard leaders for the Atlanta Falcons

Theo

100 days.

We only have 100 days left until the Atlanta Falcons kick off their 2024 season against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. To celebrate, we’re taking a look at some of Atlanta’s most productive players over the years. Which Falcons have consistently dominated the ground and air on the verge of crossing the coveted 100-yard threshold?

We take a look at these legendary artists below:

Most 100-yard rushing games: RB Michael Turner (27)

The acquisition of Michael “Burner” Turner coincided with the selection of Atlanta’s longtime starting quarterback Matt Ryan, making the 2008 offseason arguably the most transitional for the franchise. Turner’s explosive ability on the ground helped Ryan learn to be a quarterback while dominating the ground game at a time when the ground game was still the primary weapon of choice for some offenses.

Best game: Week 1, 2008 vs. Detroit – 22 attempts, 220 yards, 2 touchdowns

If you wanted to know what Turner was like, look no further than his first game as a Falcon. Atlanta finished the 2008 season with the second-best rushing attack in the league, behind the New York Giants, who had two 1,000-yard rushers in Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward.

Turner completely shredded the infamous 2008 Lions defense to the tune of 220 yards, breaking Gerald Riggs’ single-game record of 202 set in 1984. That 220-yard mark is still the standard for single-game dominance for the Falcons.

Most 100-yard receiving games: WR Julio Jones (61)

Jones’ reign of dominance in Atlanta from 2011 to 2020 was prolific, not only because of his freakish athletic abilities, but also the consistency he showed during that time. His 61 100-yard receiving games are not only the most of any receiver during that span, but the difference between him and second-place finisher Antonio Brown of the Steelers (48) is more than the difference between Brown and Demaryius Thomas of the Denver Broncos in fifth (36).

Best game: Week 4, 2016 vs. Carolina – 12 receptions, 300 yards, 1 TD

There’s no more complete view of Jones’ dominance than when he had just the sixth game of 300 receiving yards or more. Jones and Ryan did what they wanted against the Carolina Panthers defense, gaining underneath and gaining yards after the catch, beating defenders outside the numbers, up the middle, just like they wanted.

Most seasons with 100+ tackles: LB Jessie Tuggle (9)

Jessie Tuggle was given the nickname “the hammer” for a reason: when it came to dishing out punishment, he was usually on the executing side (the hammer) instead of the receiving side (the nail). ). Tuggle was an enforcer for the Falcons and a cog in the “2 Legit 2 Quit” iteration of the Falcons.

Best season: 1990, 201 combined tackles, 5.0 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 defensive touchdown

I wasn’t alive at the time to confirm this, so I’ll allow The Falcoholic to explain why the 1990 season of Tuggle is the most revered of his career:

An absurdly great season from one of the best linebackers in team history. This year, Tuggle had 201 tackles, 5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries, flying all over the field with the intent of making the other team pay and succeeding pretty much 100% of the time. Most of Tuggles’ Pro Bowl and All-Pro nods came later in his career when people were paying more attention to the Falcons, but this was probably his best season.

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