From The Banner · Jonas Shaffer · · 1m 50s
Ravens vs. Falcons: Key matchups for Sunday Night Football
Ravens face Falcons with Robinson, Campbell and crowd noise to watch.
In brief
Ravens face Falcons with Robinson, Campbell and crowd noise to watch. Ravens' Week 5 game against Falcons features Bijan Robinson's run defense challenge, Calais Campbell's personal stakes, and Atlanta's noise impact. Originally reported by The Banner.
Ravens' win streak challenge
Ravens are 3-1 despite losing a game they shouldn’t have won and nearly throwing away another win.
“Let’s not be afraid to stack these games and go on a streak”
Falcons' strong run game
Falcons rush for 512 yards (6.9 per carry) on horizontal concepts, with Robinson leading the league in outside-zone yards.
“Robinson, a first-team All-Pro last season, has a league-leading 376 yards (7.5 per carry) on outside-zone and stretch handoffs”
Ravens' run defense struggle
Ravens struggled against functional rushing attacks, allowing 62 yards on outside-zone plays against Colts and 76 against Cowboys.
“In the Ravens’ two games this season against functional rushing attacks, they’ve struggled to defend outside-zone and stretch run concepts”
Play-action opportunities
Penix Jr. has 12-for-18 for 261 yards and a touchdown with 66.7% success rate on play-action plays.
“Penix is 12-for-18 for 261 yards and a touchdown, with an elite 66.7% success rate and 0.91 expected points added per play”
Ravens' defensive strategy
Ravens' defense has been one of the NFL’s best play-action stoppers, allowing 16-for-30 for 129 yards after run fakes.
“Opponents are a combined 16-for-30 for 129 yards, a touchdown and an interception after run fakes this season”
Atlanta's run defense strength
Falcons lead the league in yards per game allowed (48.3) and yards per carry allowed (2.7).
“Atlanta has the NFL’s best run defense, leading the league in yards per game allowed (48.3) and yards per carry allowed (2.7)”
Ravens' center challenge
Vega Ioane’s second career start at center could be his last due to Atlanta’s noise and pressure.
“He understands exactly how that works”
Calais Campbell's personal stakes
Campbell played for Falcons in 2023 and his brother was charged with murder this summer.
“Ciarre Campbell, Calais’ brother, was charged with murder this summer after Atlanta police found their 71-year-old mother, Nateal, dead at her home”
Ravens' defensive coordinator insight
Weaver calls it a 'pack-hunting game' for the unit, emphasizing the need for firm edges on the front side.
“It all comes down to setting firm edges on the front side, thinking [about] knocking back [the blockers], and staying alive on the back side”
Ravens' offensive coordinator strategy
Doyle expects a quiet run game won’t limit Ravens’ opportunities on drop-backs with Atlanta’s coverage.
“If they can defend you in two-high shells and defend the run game, they are taking away a lot of the play-action opportunities”
Rav: 2-2 Falcons
Falcons have won their past two games by a combined 80-38 margin with Lamar Jackson out.
“The Falcons have won its past two games by a combined 80-38 margin”
Ravens' homecoming impact
Several Ravens are Georgia natives, including Calais Campbell, who played for Falcons in 2023.
“Calais Campbell, who played for the Falcons in 2023”
The big picture
Ravens' Week 5 game against Falcons features Bijan Robinson's run defense challenge, Calais Campbell's personal stakes, and Atlanta's noise impact.
