• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Turner, Jenkins help Falcons topple Raiders

Nov 3, 2008 - 2:17 AM OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- The Atlanta Falcons will enjoy their cross-country flight after using a balanced attack to thwart an uninspired team.

Michael Jenkins caught two touchdowns and Michael Turner had 139 rushing yards as the Falcons cruised to a 24-0 victory over the lifeless Oakland Raiders on Sunday.

"Any time you can come out on the road and play efficiently like our team did today in all three phases and win the football game like we did, I think you've got to be very encouraged," Atlanta head coach Mike Smith said. "Defensively, I thought it was outstanding today. We're excited."

Jerious Norwood ran for 63 yards and scored a 12-yard touchdown in the first quarter, while rookie Matt Ryan completed 17-of-22 attempts for 220 yards for the Falcons (5-3), who have won three of their last four games.

"It's that old saying, 'It starts with the line,'" Jenkins said. "We're doing great things offensively, defensively and on special teams. Guys are having fun. Guys enjoy coming to work and getting on the field and playing on Sundays together."

JaMarcus Russell rushed for 46 yards on two carries, but was just 6-for-19 for 31 yards as the Raiders (2-6) were shut out for the first time this season.

"Today was not a showing of what this team is capable of," Russell said. "We are a much better football team as a whole than what we showed today. Every possible thing that could go bad went bad."

Scoring all their points during their opening four drives in the first half, the Falcons racked up 453 yards of total offense compared to the Raiders' 77.

Oakland, on pace for its sixth straight double-digit loss season, recorded its worst total since getting 58 in 1961 against the San Diego Chargers.

"We did not do anything in terms of what we were trying to do offensively," Oakland interim coach Tom Cable said. "I thought defensively, we were not in sync right from the get go. It was not a very good effort today by the Oakland Raiders."

The Falcons have already matched last season's win total as general manager Thomas Dimitroff and Smith have pulled off a positive overhaul, which included trading cornerback DeAngelo Hall to the Raiders in the offseason.

The fruits of the Falcons' labor paid off more as Turner - signed as free agent after spending the past four seasons with the Chargers - made the most of his 31 carries in this one. The 26-year-old notched his fourth 100-plus yard game of the season and second in the last four.

"I was getting the ball early - everybody was getting the ball early - and they were making big plays, and just taking our turns I guess," Turner said.

Turner helped set up Jenkins' 37-yard TD at the 8:57 mark of the first and Norwood's score just under four minutes later.

"We've got to get back to what this team was built on and that's running the football, so we've got to just keep on improving on that and hopefully with the development of Matt Ryan, we can run and pass," Turner said.

The No. 3 overall pick in April's draft, Ryan connected with Jenkins for another scoring strike 2:06 into the second to increase Atlanta's lead to 21-0. Jason Elam booted a 48-yard field goal with 6:29 remaining in the session to put the game out of reach.

"We had a good rhythm and good momentum and I thought we did a good job in the no-huddle today," Ryan said. "Most importantly, our defense kept them from doing anything on offense today so it was an impressive effort by everybody."

Meanwhile, the Raiders had minus-2 yards in the first half.

Though being held scoreless in the second half, Atlanta held on to post its first shutout since 2002. Erik Coleman preserved the shutout with an interception in the end zone midway through the fourth.

Atlanta's Roddy White caught five passes for 54 yards. White had surpassed 100 yards receiving in his previous three games.