No huddle, no problem

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Falcons coach Mike Smith said the team will determine how much it will use the no-huddle offense on a game-by-game basis.

The Falcons were stumbling — a fumble and three consecutive three-and-outs against Carolina — before they went to the no-huddle.

Quarterback Matt Ryan promptly converted four first downs and drove the team 80 yards in 12 plays. Michael Turner scored on a 4-yard run to extend its lead to 24-13.

“We make a determination going in, when and how much we are going to execute it,” Smith said. “It’s just part of the game plan.”

The Falcons have used the no-huddle offense on 12 possessions this season and have scored 31 points.

Given the success of the no-huddle should the team consider using it more often?

“Just like what plays we are going to run on offense and defense, we have discussions about how we want to involve that part of our offense,” Smith said. “Some weeks it’s more than others.”

When they run the no-huddle, Ryan surveys the defense and then picks from about a dozen plays. Ryan usually has the play set with 10 seconds remaining on the play clock and the Falcons attack from there.

The Falcons have run almost as much as they’ve thrown passes out of the no-huddle.

“I don’t know that the no huddle has necessarily expanded, but it’s just part of what we are capable of doing,” Smith said.

Key matchups

It should be a good game between San Diego cornerbacks Quentin Jammer and Antonio Cromartie and Atlanta receivers Roddy White and Michael Jenkins.

Cromartie, who had 10 interceptions last season, has two this year, but has been battling a hip injury.

“Cro has struggled a little bit with a hip injury, but I think he’s finally over that,” San Diego coach Norv Turner said. “Over the last couple of weeks, those guys have gotten back to playing at the level we expect them to.”

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