The Ravens turned in a dismal efficiency of their 13-3 loss to the Cleveland Browns and are nonetheless awaiting the return of quarterback Lamar Jackson. The Falcons have misplaced 5 of six however in some way stay in competition for the NFC South title. Which staff may have the benefit on Christmas Eve?
Ravens passing recreation vs. Falcons move protection
“It’s not a good enough passing game right now across the board,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh stated after his staff threw for 138 yards and scored three factors towards the Browns. That about sums it up. The Ravens rank twenty ninth in Football Outsiders’ move DVOA since their bye week and have thrown for lower than 200 yards in 5 of their final six video games. None of their large receivers has caught a landing move since Week 3, and tight finish Mark Andrews, their most prolific move catcher, has not caught one since Week 6. They rank twenty eighth within the league in landing proportion from the purple zone. The Ravens hoped to have franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson towards the Falcons, however he didn’t apply Tuesday or Wednesday, casting doubt on his availability. It’s not as if their aerial assault was buzzing earlier than Jackson damage his knee. Demarcus Robinson (44 catches on 62 targets, 419 yards) has been a relative brilliant spot within the receiving corps, however the Ravens are asking for him to be a No. 1 when the plan coming into the season was for him to be a No. 3. They misplaced their different beginning wideout, Devin Duvernay, to a foot damage, changing him with waiver declare Sammy Watkins, who caught 27 passes for 394 yards for them in 13 video games final season. Though Harbaugh expressed religion in Jackson’s backup, Tyler Huntley, after the loss in Cleveland, Huntley has averaged simply 5.6 yards per try with no landing passes and two interceptions this season. He was restricted in apply Wednesday due to an damage to his throwing shoulder. Undrafted rookie Anthony Brown could be the opposite choice Saturday if Jackson is out.
On the plus aspect for the Ravens, they’ll attempt to get nicely towards a move protection that ranks twenty ninth in DVOA. The Falcons are thirtieth in third-down protection and twenty second in purple zone protection. They rank final in pressures per dropback and second to final in sacks. Defensive sort out Grady Jarrett is their most efficient move rusher and Darren Hall their finest cornerback, however coordinator Dean Pees, a well-recognized face to Ravens followers, isn’t working with a lot star energy.
EDGE: Even
Falcons passing recreation vs. Ravens move protection
Rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder didn’t make a very good impression in his first NFL begin towards the New Orleans Saints, finishing 13 of 26 passes for 97 yards. Atlanta’s passing recreation was one of many least productive within the league below pervious starter Marcus Mariota, so Ridder’s struggles weren’t stunning. The Falcons misplaced their most dynamic move catcher when second-year tight finish Kyle Pitts went on injured reserve. Among their large receivers, 6-foot-5 rookie Drake London is a brilliant spot. He was Ridder’s solely productive goal within the loss to New Orleans, with seven catches for 70 yards. The Falcons must do a greater job defending their rookie quarterback, who ate 4 sacks towards the Saints.
The Ravens will tackle Atlanta with out beginning cornerback Marcus Peters, who injured his calf towards the Browns. But in the event that they needed to choose an opponent to face with Brandon Stephens at cornerback, the Falcons would in all probability be it. The Ravens rank eighth in move DVOA, fifth in sacks, third in takeaways and third in third-down protection. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey has performed at a Pro Bowl degree, security Marcus Williams hasn’t missed a beat in two video games since he returned from a wrist damage and rookie nickel again Kyle Hamilton has settled in because the secondary’s jack of all trades. As for the move rush, the Ravens would miss defensive finish Calais Campbell if he’s sidelined by the knee damage he suffered towards Cleveland. Outside linebacker Justin Houston nonetheless leads the staff with 9 sacks however hasn’t recorded one in his final 4 video games.
EDGE: Ravens
Ravens operating recreation vs. Falcons run protection
J.Okay. Dobbins (13 carries, 125 yards) and Gus Edwards (seven carries, 55 yards) have been the celebs of the offense in Cleveland, breaking six double-digit runs between them. Dobbins has criticized himself for not going all the way in which on lengthy runs every of the final two weeks, however he has restored an explosive dimension to the staff’s operating again, which can solely get higher when Jackson, the Ravens’ main rusher, is again. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman doesn’t name as many designed quarterback runs with Huntley within the lineup. In one other brilliant spot on a dreary day for the offense, the Ravens’ beginning offensive line performed the whole recreation in Cleveland.
Atlanta defends the run higher than the move, however that’s to not say it’s an space of power. The Falcons rank twenty sixth in rush DVOA and have given up a median of 171 yards over their final 5 video games. Linebacker Rashaan Evans is their prime tackler within the center and Ta’Quon Graham their prime inside run defender.
EDGE: Ravens
Falcons operating recreation vs. Ravens run protection
Here we now have power towards power. The Falcons rank third in dashing, third in dashing makes an attempt and fourth in yards per try with an assault that, just like the Ravens’, options a number of backs and designed runs for the quarterback. They didn’t lose a step with Ridder on the helm, operating for 231 yards towards the Saints, led by Tyler Allgeier’s 139 on 17 carries. Cordarrelle Patterson has been simply as productive, averaging 5.1 yards per carry and main the Falcons with six dashing touchdowns. Ridder carried six instances for 38 yards towards New Orleans, so the Ravens should keep watch over him. Right guard Chris Lindstrom and proper sort out Kaleb McGary clear the way in which for a lot of this manufacturing.
The Ravens, in the meantime, have stopped the run higher than any staff within the league since they traded for linebacker Roquan Smith. Smith and Patrick Queen are the chief playmakers, however Campbell, Justin Madubuike and Broderick Washington maintain blockers occupied upfront, and Hamilton is a punishing hitter from the nickel spot. Brent Urban performed nicely rather than Campbell towards the Browns and would possible tackle extra snaps if the veteran star is out towards Atlanta.
EDGE: Even
Ravens particular groups vs. Falcons particular groups
The Ravens delivered a uncommon particular groups stinker towards the Browns and fell out of the highest spot in DVOA. Justin Tucker missed from 48 yards and had a 50-yard try blocked in Cleveland, dropping his proportion for the season to .853, which might be tied for the second worst of his profession. They might want to discover new kickoff and punt returners with Duvernay, who had struggled currently, out for not less than 4 video games.
The Falcons rank seventh in particular groups DVOA. Avery Williams is a top-notch punt returner, and Patterson returned a kickoff 103 yards for a landing in Week 11. Kicker Younghoe Koo has made 24 of 29 field-goal makes an attempt, with 4 of his 5 misses coming from 50 yards or past.
EDGE: Ravens
Ravens intangibles vs. Falcons intangibles
Neither staff got here out of Week 15 feeling good. The Ravens performed their worst all-around recreation of the season, and their woes within the passing recreation and purple zone have gripped them for weeks now. Jackson’s return offers them one thing to sit up for, they usually might clinch a playoff spot this weekend, however they know they gained’t go far within the postseason if they will’t repair their offense.
The Falcons have misplaced three in a row and 5 of six, they usually’ll deliver a rookie quarterback to Baltimore to face one of many league’s stingiest defenses. They’re 1-6 on the street. But they do have one thing to play for on condition that they’re solely a recreation behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers within the dreadful NFC South.
EDGE: Ravens
Prediction
The Ravens want not less than yet one more win to safe a playoff spot, they usually’ll profit from a positive matchup towards a slumping opponent that doesn’t throw the ball any higher than they do. We’ll see a number of operating on this one, with a far superior protection carrying the Ravens by way of. Ravens 16, Falcons 13
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Source: www.bostonherald.com