It’s time to make the short trek to the “Queen City” again and renew acquaintances with a dangerous NFC South opponent in the Carolina Panthers in a crucial matchup for the Falcons. After a tough loss last week at Houston, Atlanta must rebound to keep its playoff hopes alive against a Carolina team that has won two straight.

The Birds have had mixed success playing on the road in this series but there has been one seemingly common denominator that has had a lot to do with producing a favorable Falcons outcome. And that’s a successful running game.

Just about one year ago to the day, Atlanta marched into Charlotte and RB Michael Turner rambled for a 112 yards on 28 carries and three touchdowns to propel the Falcons to a 31-10 victory. Turner’s running helped QB Matt Ryan in the passing game as he methodically spread the ball around to eight receivers on the way to 227 yards through the air to claim their seventh win in a row and 11th victory of the season.

Turner also had the beginning of what could have been a record day in a contest at Carolina in 2009 before being injured. The bruising back carried the ball just nine times, but amassed 111 yards with a long rush of 40 yards, in only two quarters before an ankle injury forced him from the game in the second quarter. He could not return and Atlanta fell 28-19 without Turner in the lineup.

During his brief but very successful career in a Falcons uniform, Turner has eclipsed 100-yards in five of the last six games that he’s faced the Panthers. The key free agent pick-up in 2008 has also bullied his way for over 100-yards in two out of his three games played on the road in this series.

When “The Burner” has collected 100-yards or more in a game against the Panthers overall, the Falcons are 4-1. (He was pulled early in the season finale last year with 67 yards when the Falcons were winning big and had clinched NFC South Division title.) His only loss was when he was injured in that ’09 game and did not return to action after halftime.

The former Northern Illinois product rushed for his most yards ever against the Panthers in a 31-17 win in Week 6 earlier this year with 139 yards on 27 totes.

There is one other factor to keep an eye on. Not only does Turner love running against the Panthers, but he also has a penchant for finding the end zone against this opponent. He has scored 11 touchdowns in seven career games, including a stretch of three consecutive games without at least one touchdown and has a total of six touchdowns in the last three contests.

So, if the Falcons can get Mr. Turner up and running on Sunday, there is a good chance they are going to be happy when they glance at the scoreboard as the clock hits zero.