The Falcons were anticipating that they’d be able to run the ball against Denver Sunday, but were met with some major resistance.

Running back Michael Turne, entered the game needing 110 yards to reach 1,000 on the season. After being held to 81 yards on 25 carries, Turner is 29 yards short.

Turner did break free for two touchdowns.

Jerious Norwood, Turner’s backup, was also kept under wraps. He had 18 yards on five carries.

Overall, Atlanta had 35 carries for 114 yards.

“They did a lot of stunting and twisting up front that kind of kept us off balance,” Norwood said. “They knew that we were are a heavy run team. They wanted to stop the run.”

When Norwood tried to get outside, a Denver cornerback or linebacker was waiting for him.

The Falcons used their “Dirty Bird” formation with Norwood at quarterback twice, but lost three yards on two carries.

“Their defense was flying around,” Norwood said. “I have to give credit to them. They played good today.”

Turner did have a nice 28-yard touchdown run. He had another long nullified by an holding penalty on fullback Ovie Mughelli.

“Their whole defense is based on speed,” Turner said. “They are trying to get you to go side to side.”

Reeves applauded

Former Falcons head coach Dan Reeves received a nice ovation when members of the 1998 NFC championship team were introduced at halftime.

Quarterback Chris Chandler and running back Jamal Anderson also received loud cheers as they came out the tunnel onto the field.

Anderson broke into a slow motion “Dirty Bird” dance much to the delight of the fans.

Third-down man

Wide receiver Brian Finneran finished with four receptions for 44 yards. All three of his catches were on third down and converted for first downs.

On third-and-7, he had an 8-yard catch. On third-and-3, he had a 14-yard catch. On third-and-5, he had a 9-yard gain. On third-and-7, he had a 13-yard gain.

Finneran’s four catches were a season-high. He had three catches against Chicago on Oct. 12 and Philadelphia on Oct. 26.

“I thought Brian had a really nice day,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “He made some nice catches to keep drives a live.”

Grimes inactive

Cornerback Brent Grimes, who opened the season as the starting left cornerback and started the first six games, was inactive.

Grimes has been battling a sprained knee ligament and an ankle injury. Cornerback David Irons, who had been inactive for eight games, played.

The other inactives were safety Thomas DeCoud, linebacker Tony Gilbert, center Alex Stepanovich, left tackle Sam Baker, defensive end Simon Fraser and defensive tackle Kindal Moorehead. D.J. Shockley was the No. 3 quarterback.

Injury report

Norwood injured a rib, but he returned to finish the game.

Cornerback Chris Houston also injured a rib and came out for a few plays.

“It was nothing really, I just got kneed in the ribs,” Houston said. “It’s OK.”

Also wide receiver Laurent Robinson, who’s been battling injuries all season, left with a hamstring injury.

NFC South race

The Falcons get back to NFC South play next week when they host Carolina at 4:15 p.m. at the Georgia Dome.

The Falcons (6-4) are two games behind Carolina (8-2), one game behind Tampa Bay (7-3) and one game ahead of New Orleans (5-5).

“We’re getting into a stretch where we’ve got three division games here in the next four weeks,” Smith said.

“Two of the division games are here at home. Those are the most important games.”

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