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Jason Snelling talks after the Falcons' historic 20-10 win over the Buccaneers on Falcons First Take.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrap up of Snelling's 147 yard game on Sunday, January 3, 2010.

Backup running back Jason Snelling is preparing to start for Michael Turner against the New York Giants on Sunday.


"My approach is that I'm going to be coming in and starting this game," said Snelling on Wednesday. "That's the mind-set that I have to have this week."

In year three, you have continued to develop offensively and have provided valuable contributions when others were injured. After missing the previous two games with a hamstring injury, you find yourself the Atlanta Falcons featured back in the second quarter of a key Week 10 NFC South game -- on the road -- with the Carolina Panthers.

Jason Snelling spent the first quarter watching Michael Turner run wild.

Then suddenly, it was his time to step up.

Week 7 Interview with Jason Snelling

Falcons running back Jason Snelling, who has filled in admirably as a backup at fullback and halfback, did not practice on Thursday.

Snelling suffered a hamstring injury in the Dallas game, but head coach Mike Smith did not have to issue an official injury report, per league rules, until Thursday.

Jason Snelling lead the Atlanta Falcons in rushing last week against the Dallas Cowboys. He shares his thoughts on that game, the team's big upcoming division battle with the Saints, and his dedication to spreading awareness about epilepsy in this exclusive interview with Scout.com's Ed Thompson.

The Falcons are going to want to mix it up. Jason Snelling coming out of the I, as he did a couple of times last Sunday, should be just the beginning of keeping the Patriots off Turner's scent. I don't see Jerious Norwood being horribly effective on reverses (much love, but when has he ever been?), so I'd prefer the different looks to simply be different points of attack with a fullback in front each time.

The key drive in Sunday's loss to Atlanta was a microcosm of the defense's biggest problem. Trailing 10-7 in the second quarter, Atlanta drove 80 yards in 14 plays to take a lead it would never relinquish. The Falcons converted all four third downs they faced on the march, including three plays from identical formations.

From the moment he heard the play call, Jason Snelling liked his chances.
"Things run through your mind," said Snelling, the Falcons reserve running back. "Make sure you catch the ball first. You've got to protect the ball and keep good ball security because I knew there would be a hit afterwards. And after that, playmakers have got to make plays."

Atlanta Falcons broke out the 1966 Throwback jerseys and channeled some of the hard-nosed fight, that studs like Tommy Nobis exemplified back in the day, in picking up their second win of the season and notching a victory over an NFC South enemy foe. The Birds edged out the Panthers in the Terror-Dome, not with a perfect or complete game, but got the job done when it counted most to get the win. 2-0, and that’s all that matters. As they say in sports, a win’s a win’s a win’s a win, regardless of how they come.