ATLANTA (AP) -It's one of football's enduring gospels: In order to win, a team must run for big yards and stop the other team from doing the same.
Mark down the Atlanta Falcons as Exhibit A.
Sure, they've twisted that old-school philosophy to fit their unique personnel, turning new-age quarterback Michael Vick into the afterburner on the NFL's best running game. But it's working out just fine for the Falcons (3-1), who are averaging more than 234 yards per game on the ground - nearly 60 yards clear of the next team on the list.
The New York Giants (2-2), who will be at the Georgia Dome on Sunday, know right up front what they must do to slow Atlanta. Of course, so did the first four teams the Falcons faced - and only one, emotionally charged New Orleans, held them to less than 250 yards.
``Usually you win the game if you can run the ball and if you can stop the run,'' Giants defensive star Michael Strahan said. ``We take it as a challenge to try to stop this team, which is one of the best running teams in the league, if not the best. That's on our backs.''
Vick and Co. are averaging nearly 6.1 yards per carry, a staggering figure that dwarfs everyone else in the league.
Warrick Dunn is off and running toward another big year with 365 yards. Vick has 333 yards, on pace for his first 1,000-yard season. And speedy rookie Jerious Norwood has been a devastating weapon off the bench, putting up 217 yards and an 8.3 average.
The Giants know it all starts with the guy taking the snaps, who's become even more dangerous with a college-style option that forces the defensive ends to lay back instead of attacking the ball.
``There's no trap with Michael Vick. He is what you see,'' Strahan said. ``The problem is: You see him one second, you don't see him the next. He's fast. You watch film and you see fast guys getting left behind. It's amazing. I've never seen anybody move like that.''
There's more to the Falcons than their dominant running game. Just look at the way they keep the other team from getting their legs going.
Atlanta has allowed just 69.2 yards per game on the ground, the second-best figure in the league and a necessary bookend to being a successful team. Most impressive, while the Falcons have 17 runs for at least 15 yards, they've given up only one.
While they don't necessarily need it, the Falcons could get a big boost this week from the return of defensive end John Abraham. The three-time Pro Bowler put on a dominating performance in Week 1 before he hobbled off with a groin injury in the closing minutes. He missed the last three games, but returned to practice during an off week and seemed likely to play, barring any last-minute setbacks.
``He's only going to make us better,'' linebacker Keith Brooking said. ``There's no doubt about that.''
As it is, the Falcons' defense has surrendered only one touchdown all season. Chauncey Davis did just fine filling in for Abraham. Another second-year player, linebacker Michael Boley, looks like a star in the making.
``That's how it is in this league,'' defensive back Kevin Mathis said. ``You have guys get injured. Another guy steps up. That's what we did. The other guys decided that they wanted to make a difference in the games (Abraham) didn't play in. It's an added bonus to get him back. Everybody is looking forward to it.''
If Abraham plays, both teams will send out star-studded groups at defensive end.
The Falcons also have Patrick Kerney, coming off a three-sack performance against Arizona. The Giants counter with Strahan, who has more sacks than any active player, and Osi Umenyiora, who led the NFC with 14 1/2 quarterback takedowns in 2005.
``There are four Pro Bowlers playing this game,'' Vick said. ``I'll tell you what, this is probably the best tandem we've faced since Week 1 (Carolina's Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker). I look forward to the challenge. I know they'll get a tremendous amount of push. It's always fun to play against the best in the league. That's when you get to measure yourself.''
Vick and the Falcons measured up just fine against the Panthers, rushing for a franchise-record 306 yards. No. 7 is clearly back at full speed after being slowed much of last season by a sore knee.
``Oh man, it feels good,'' Vick said. ``I feel like my old self, to be able to run and do the things I'm used to doing. Last year was tough on me. I had to play somewhat of a different role. I'm back to where I can help the running game and put a lot of pressure on the defense.''
New York's Eli Manning puts pressure on the defense with his right arm, not his legs. Looking more and more like big brother Peyton, the younger Manning has completed more than two-thirds of his passes for 1,149 yards and nine touchdowns.
He'll be eager to see if Abraham takes the field.
``You have to keep an eye on him because he'll have the ability to get some sacks and to cause some problems on the pass plays,'' Manning said. ``He's always around the ball. He's very quick. We have to contain him somehow.''
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