Most conversations surrounding the Baltimore Ravens this week begin and end with Lamar Jackson's ankle. That's understandable. When a two-time MVP's on-field time is threatened, every discussion starts there.
At some point, however, the focus shifts from who's unavailable to who's being asked to do more. Baltimore enters Week 5 at 3-1 and riding the momentum of another victory, but Sunday night's showdown with the Atlanta Falcons presents a different challenge.
The Ravens may be turning to Tyler Huntley. The offensive line could feature another new combination. The defense faces a Falcons team that has won consecutive games and appears to be gaining confidence. If Baltimore wants to leave Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta with a win, these five
Ravens will need to answer the call.
Tyler Huntley quarterback
The spotlight shifts to Baltimore's backup quarterback for Week 5. However, head coach Jesse Minter hasn't backed off his stance that Lamar Jackson could suit up and play on Sunday.
Ravens head coach Jesse Minter said Lamar Jackson continues to get treatment, and they’ll continue to evaluate him throughout the week. He noted that Jackson is in the small category of guys who wouldn’t necessarily need to practice to play in Sunday’s game. pic.twitter.com/95H7klb2Ev
— Luke Jones (@BaltimoreLuke) October 7, 2026
That conversation will continue until the team officially announces game-day statuses and inactives. If he sits, the Ravens won't ask Tyler Huntley to be Lamar Jackson. They never have. The Ravens simply need him to be Tyler Huntley, and that has worked more than not when they've asked the man affectionately known as 'Snoop' to step up in relief.
The veteran quarterback has been in these situations before. He understands the offense. His teammates trust him. Jesse Minter reaffirmed that, making it clear this week that the organization has confidence in his ability to operate the unit.
The challenge is obvious. Huntley could be making his first start of the season on the road in primetime. Baltimore doesn't need hero ball. It needs smart decisions, efficient drives, and a quarterback who can keep the offense on schedule.
Emery Jones Jr. or Andrew Vorhees guard
Baltimore needs stability up front, especially this week. Gervon Dexter might be the best the Falcons' defensive front has to offer, but Maason Smith and Brandon Dorlus are worth noting. The Ravens have spent the first month of the season searching for the right offensive-line combination and/or some traction. That search may continue Sunday night.
Andrew Vorhees exited last week's victory with a foot injury, forcing Emery Jones Jr. into action. He also missed Wednesday's practice with a foot issue. If he doesn't start vs. Atlanta, Jones may again be the next man up. Baltimore needs better production from the position. Both players struggled at times against Tennessee and wereamong the lowest-graded offensive performers via Pro Football Focus's Week 4 evaluation.
With Huntley being a potential starter, interior pass protection becomes even more important. The Ravens cannot afford consistent pressure up the middle.
Roquan Smith, linebacker
This feels like a Roquan Smith game. Atlanta wants to establish the run. Baltimore and everyone else knows it. The Falcons have one of the league's better rushing attacks behind Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson Jr. If those backs consistently reach the second level, Atlanta's offense becomes much harder to defend.
That's where Roquan Smith comes in. His responsibilities extend beyond tackling ball carriers. Smith will help organize the defense, disguise looks, and make life uncomfortable for Michael Penix Jr. whenever possible. This matchup feels tailor-made for one of Baltimore's defensive leaders to leave his fingerprints all over the game.
Every wide receiver not named Zay Flowers
The Falcons will spend all week discussing Zay Flowers. They should. They probably won't be able to stop him anyway. Flowers has become one of the NFL's most dangerous offensive weapons, and Atlanta will likely devote significant resources to limiting his opportunities, but they have limited options. Only two teams have surrendered more passing yards than Atlanta has this season.
Opportunities may still be created elsewhere. When they are, somebody else must make Atlanta pay. Huntley will benefit tremendously if he can distribute the ball to multiple targets rather than forcing everything through one player.
Jaylinn Hawkins, safety
Atlanta may not have one of the league's highest-volume passing attacks, but the Falcons have enough weapons to punish mistakes. Baltimore's secondary can't afford coverage breakdowns. That places additional pressure on Baltimore's secondary. Jaylinn Hawkins has logged significant snaps this season and will likely be tested Sunday night again.
The veteran safety will be tasked with helping limit explosive plays while keeping Atlanta's passing game from finding a rhythm. The Ravens have survived injuries and lineup changes through the season's first month. Week 5 presents another challenge. If these five players deliver strong performances, Baltimore's trip home could include another victory and a 4-1 record. If not, the margin for error shrinks against a Falcons team that appears to be finding its stride.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: 5 Ravens players and position groups facing key tests against Falcons
