The Atlanta Falcons enter Sunday night with a clear chance to keep their winning streak rolling, and the path runs straight through the line of scrimmage. With Lamar Jackson out because of an ankle injury, Baltimore will turn to Tyler Huntley at quarterback, giving Atlanta a different look to attack and a real opening to dictate how the game is played.
That starts with Derrick Henry, who has been exactly the kind of problem Atlanta can’t afford to let breathe. Through four games, the Baltimore running back has piled up 374 yards and seven touchdowns on 89 carries, averaging 4.2 yards per attempt. He brings the kind of power-speed combination that can flip a game in one snap, and he has the force to keep grinding even when the first hit lands.
Atlanta, though, has built its identity on shutting down the run. The Falcons rank first in the NFL in rushing defense efficiency, allowing only 2.7 yards per carry through four weeks.
That number matters here because Henry demands a swarm, not a solo tackle. The first defender has to slow him down, and everyone else has to close fast, stay in their gaps and finish the job without missing.
The bigger Atlanta wins on defense may come before Henry ever gets rolling. If the Falcons can get Baltimore into third-and-long, the Ravens lose some of the balance that makes their offense dangerous and Huntley becomes the bigger focus. That also gives Atlanta’s pass rush more chances to tee off.
On the other side of the ball, the Falcons’ own backfield has been one of the best parts of their season. Bijan Robinson has posted 494 rushing yards and four touchdowns through four games, while Brian Robinson Jr. has added 194 yards and four touchdowns. Together, they’ve given Atlanta a steady and dangerous ground game that keeps defenses from loading up on just one runner.
Bijan has done plenty of damage in prime time already. He ran for 194 yards and two touchdowns against Green Bay, then followed that with 145 yards and two touchdowns against New Orleans. Brian has brought a different edge, including three rushing touchdowns against New Orleans, and that mix of styles makes Atlanta tougher to pin down.
That rushing production has to keep showing up early, especially on first and second down. If Atlanta stays on schedule, Michael Penix Jr. gets easier passing situations, and the Falcons can also keep the clock moving while forcing Baltimore’s defense to stay on the field.
Then there’s the pass rush, where Atlanta has a chance to make Huntley uncomfortable all night. Cameron Thomas has led the way with 19 pressures through the first four games, and Maason Smith has added seven pressures from the interior. Za’Darius Smith, Samson Ebukam and the rest of the front also need to contribute, because this is not a one-man job.
Huntley’s mobility means Atlanta can’t just sell out recklessly. The rush has to stay controlled, with defenders holding their lanes and not letting him escape and extend plays. If the Falcons can pair discipline up front with pressure, they can turn Huntley into a hurried quarterback and create chances for sacks, bad throws and turnovers.
For Atlanta, everything points back to one simple task: win up front. Control Henry, keep the run game humming, and make Huntley work under pressure, and the Falcons will give themselves a strong shot to come out with another victory.
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Ravens Face A Real Test Of Depth Without Lamar In Atlanta
Tyler Huntley is back in the spotlight as Baltimore prepares for a trip to Atlanta without Lamar Jackson, and the matchup has already turned into a good early measure of how sturdy the offense can be when the Ravens have to adjust on the fly. The conversation around this week has centered on Huntleys comfort in the system, how the run game can help him, and how the coaching staff balances aggression with the need to keep the offense on schedule against a Falcons team that will make Baltimore earn everything.
The other side of the ball brings its own questions, especially with injuries forcing the Ravens to lean deeper into the roster at key spots. Atlantas passing game gives Baltimore a real test of coverage discipline, and the game also asks the Ravens to sort out how they replace a blocking presence that has become part of their identity in short-yardage and protection packages. It sets up the kind of tight, physical game that can reveal how much depth Baltimore really has when the margin for error gets smaller. [Read more 🡒]
Ravens Enter Prime-Time Underdogs With Derrick Henry Facing The Pressure
Atlantas fast start to the week of preparation has only sharpened the spotlight on Baltimores side of the matchup. After an 0-2 opening, the Falcons have steadied themselves with consecutive wins over Green Bay and New Orleans, and that surge has made them the favorites heading into prime time against a Ravens team already dealing with key absences.
The attention now shifts to how Baltimore answers without its MVP quarterback, with the offense expected to revolve around Derrick Henry in a role that should draw plenty of scrutiny from the national audience. With most NFL Network and ESPN voices siding with Atlanta, the Ravens are left trying to prove they can turn the game into something more than a straightforward test of depth and patience. [Read more 🡒]
Ravens Suddenly Have A Marvin Harrison Jr. Decision Worth Watching
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The appeal is obvious, but so are the hurdles. Baltimore has been operating with cap constraints after its recent move for center Cam Jurgens, so any major swing for a receiver would require some financial creativity as well as a real willingness to pay the price in draft capital or players. For now, there is no formal agreement in place, which leaves the Ravens in the kind of waiting game that can either lead to a bold addition or a quick reminder of how quickly a big-name market can move. [Read more 🡒]