Flowery Branch, Ga. ? Eight games into what could become the best season of his nine-year career, Atlanta’s Warrick Dunn still sees plenty of room for improvement for himself and the NFL’s top rushing attack.

“Of course there is,” Dunn said. “If we can go through a game and not have any negative plays and we can always gain four yards on each run, then I think we’re doing something.”

Entering their game today against the Green Bay Packers, the Falcons (6-2) are averaging 184.9 yards rushing per game. An average of 167 last season marked the first time in franchise history that Atlanta led the league in rushing.

What’s made this year remarkable is that Dunn has carried the heaviest load in the first eight games. In his first three seasons with the Falcons, Dunn’s most productive work came in November and December.

Last year, Michael Vick led the team at this juncture with 463 yards, 25 more than Dunn, who didn’t surpass his quarterback for good until Week 16. Dunn’s 134 yards in an overtime victory over Carolina on Dec. 18 made the difference.

“There’s no way we could’ve allowed that to happen,” Dunn said with a grin. “You can’t have your quarterback leading the team in rushing. You wouldn’t be able to live with yourself in the offseason.”