The Baltimore Ravens know exactly where the spotlight will be shone Sunday night. The Atlanta Falcons' offense revolves around running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London, and quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The hometown faithful will back them, and they should be tuned up after a two-game winning streak.
Penix is playing efficient football. London has become one of the NFL's most productive receivers through the first month of the season. Robinson is a home-run threat who can score from anywhere.
In a city like Atlanta, stars' names will dominate television broadcasts and pregame discussionsleading up to the showdown. Baltimore's challenge is that Atlanta's roster extends well beyond its biggest stars. Several Falcons have quietly played
important roles in the team's success, and overlooking any of them could prove costly in primetime.
This one is loaded with individual matchups, and a role player could deliver the game-changing play. Here are a handful of Falcons worth watching in this primetime matchup.
Brian Robinson Jr., running back
Baltimore's defense will spend plenty of time preparing for Bijan Robinson, but Atlanta's rushing attack doesn't slow down when his backup enters the game. Brian Robinson Jr. is coming off a strong Monday Night Football performance and has already rushed for 194 yards and four touchdowns this season.
Fifteen of his 44 carries have produced first downs, showing just how effective he has been at keeping drives alive. The Ravens pride themselves on stopping the run, but the challenge gets much harder when there is little drop-off between the starter and the backup.
Chris Lindstrom, guard
Not every game-changing player touches the football. One of the game's best interior offensive linemen today, Chris Lindstrom has earned four consecutive Second-Team All-Pro nods, and he may be working on a fifth.
Lindstrom continues to anchor Atlanta's rushing attack and pass protection. Baltimore's defensive front has shown signs of improvement recently, particularly with Nnamdi Madubuike beginning to look more like himself, but Lindstrom presents one of the toughest individual matchups the Ravens will face all season. Winning trench battles will be critical against a Falcons offense built to control the line of scrimmage.
C.J. Henderson, cornerback
C.J. Henderson has produced the Falcons' second-highest tackle total. He has 23 on the season, including one for a loss.
He also gets his hands on a lot of passes. His six breakups lead all Falcons. Baltimore can't be casual in the passing game. He's getting dangerously close to turning the tables.
Cameron Thomas, EDGE
Atlanta's pass rush situation bears watching. With Za'Darius Smith in concussion protocol and dealing with a neck injury, Cameron Thomas could have more chances to impact Sunday's contest.
Thomas has already produced 12 tackles, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a pass breakup this season. The Ravens may be dealing with quarterback uncertainty, making pass protection even more important. Thomas has shown he can capitalize when offenses fail to account for him.
Kyle Pitts Sr., tight end
Before last season, Pitts never played consistently enough to convince everyone he was always playing up to his potential, and often, it didn't matter who his head coach or quarterback was.
A Pro Bowler in his rookie season (2021) and a Second-Team All-Pro in 2025, he entered the season with significant expectations. He's off to a slow start, with only five receptions for 67 yards through four games, but that shouldn't give opposing defenses a false sense of security.
Baltimore has faced challenges against tight ends at various points this season, and Pitts has the size and athleticism to turn a quiet start into a breakout performance.
The Ravens have every reason to focus on Robinson, Penix, and London. Those stars deserve the attention. However, Sunday night's matchup may ultimately be decided by the Falcons, who generate fewer headlines. If Baltimore wants to leave Atlanta with a win, containing these overlooked threats could be as important as slowing the household names.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens vs. Falcons: Atlanta's supporting cast presents key challenges
