The Baltimore Ravenscannot afford to treat Sunday night's matchup with the Atlanta Falcons like a defensive slugfest. Baltimore's defense delivered its best performance of the season against the Tennessee Titans, but it still won by only six points.
Some might ask whether that's cause for the Ravens' celebration or concern, given Tennessee's anemic offense. Expecting that same showing to deliver another win would be a dangerous gamble against an Atlanta offense that has found its rhythm with Michael Penix Jr. back under center.
The Ravens have other concerns, too. Lamar Jackson is out. Tyler Huntley will be asked to direct the offense, and Derrick Henry faces a Falcons defense that has been particularly stingy against the run. Baltimore will need
more than a few timely stops to beat Atlanta. Four questions could determine whether the Ravens can handle the challenge under the Sunday night lights.
1. Can the Ravens run the ball more efficiently against a better rushing defense?
Baltimore needs to make Huntley's job easier, and that starts with getting more out of the ground game. Henry scored against his former team in Week 4, but he needed 23 carries to produce 73 yards. That's obviously a meager 3.2 yards per attempt. That may be good enough against Atlanta's defense.
They entered Week 5 allowing just 48.3 rushing yards per game, the best mark in the NFL over the first four weeks. The challenge is obvious, but the solution starts with winning early downs. Baltimore must create manageable third-down situations, keep Henry moving forward, and use its rushing attack to control the tempo. If the Ravens consistently find themselves in third-and-long, Huntley will face a much more difficult assignment.
2. Can Tyler Huntley be more than a game manager if necessary?
Tyler Huntley was efficient in relief of Jackson, completing eight of nine passes for 63 yards, but Baltimore's offense only produced 116 total yards and failed to score after Jackson left the game. That limited production won't be enough against an Atlanta defense that ranks among the league's best in yards allowed per play.
The Ravens don't need Huntley to become Lamar Jackson for an evening, butthey cannot shrink the playbook to short throws and conservative decisions. He must recognize opportunities to attack downfield, move the chains, and punish Atlanta when the defense crowds the line of scrimmage to stop Henry. Baltimore needs points, and Huntley will have to help produce them.
3. Can Baltimore take away the Michael Penix-to-Drake London connection?
The most honest answer may be that they can't. Honestly, no one will blame you if you say they won't, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't try. Atlanta's passing game has looked dangerous since Penix returned, particularly when he targets Drake London. Together, they've caught 14 passes for 290 receiving yards in just the past two weeks.
The Falcons have found ways to generate explosive plays, and Baltimore can't let that connection dictate the game. The Ravens should study what Atlanta has leaned on most heavily and make the offense prove it can win through other options.
Penix averaged at least 10 yards per attempt in each of his first two starts back, so disrupting his favorite targets and limiting clean opportunities downfield must be priorities. Baltimore recently gave up 145 receiving yards to Carnell Tate, making better coverage discipline essential.
4. Can the Ravens make Michael Penix's night uncomfortable?
Baltimore recorded just one sack against Tennessee, bringing its season total to seven. Penix was also sacked only once in each of his past two games, so the Ravens must do more than generate occasional pressure to disrupt Atlanta's rhythm.
Penix is still working his way back from a torn ACL, and making him move off his spot could force him to adjust his timing. Left tackle Jake Matthews's health also bears watching as he deals with a groin injury. If Matthews cannot play or is limited, Baltimore could exploit the edge, as his backup, Michael Jerrell, was also limited in practice this week.
The Ravens don't need to overwhelm Penix with pressure on every snap, but they must capitalize when opportunities arise. If Baltimore can establish the run, support Huntley enough, and make Penix uncomfortable, it will be much more likely to control the game rather than chase Atlanta's offense all night.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens vs. Falcons: 4 keys to a Baltimore win on Sunday Night Football
