(Merged) Week 10 - Atlanta Falcons

[XxSizzleXx]

And we don't have to wait until Sunday!

[Milton145]

I'm so hyped for this Thursday. Ready for everyone to see why Joe Flacco is better than Matt Ryan. This looks to be an offensive shootout but once again, just like the Buffalo game, offense holds in there and then defense repays with a big play to clinch the win.

[ravenanchors]

Now that the Ravens beat an average team, lets see if they can win against what the analysts are calling the best team in the NFC.

[CorvusCorax]

I think the one advantage we have is that Ed Reed is back and Matt Ryan has never played against him. Hopefully the defense steps up and gets some needed turnovers for us.

Other than that, these are two very evenly matched up teams playing. It can honestly go either way. I'd say we have the defensive edge, but even that's a bit suspect.

[SnOoPy]

Start Wilson and Cody!

[rezarxt]

I know a lot of you are worried about thursday night football and matt ryan's record in the dome. However if you look at the past few weeks in each game, a different raven has stepped up to the plate and changed the course of the game. Last season we did not see this same attribute. I think our offensive weapons will push over the "hump" that we always run into midseason/postseason. Flacco might not be a ProBowl QB yet, but hes taking advantage each game of different people who the defense didnt scheme for. I do not mean to take away from Atlanta's 6-2 record, but I feel like we will come out on top and someone else will step up. This week Miami focused on taking away the deep ball (mason/boldin) and it was Rice who had the big day. I know Atlanta was watching and they know they must take away Rice's checkdowns similar to what the patriots did.

I am confident though that someone will be "that guy" vs Atlanta and change the course of the game. I expect to see a couple huge plays made by Heap on offense and hopefully some more of Wilson on the field. The Ravens are moving along and I expect us to grind out the win.

[PuRock]

I hate the subtitle to this thread. Joe vs. Matt. Last time I checked it's 11 vs. 11. I'm not looking forward to the 1000 threads about who is better after the game.

But I agree with the fact that the QB position will be the key to either of these teams winning this game.

[itscbm5042]

The Ravens will start Wilson so the starting 3 DBs will be Wilson, Carr, and Webb. They have to double team White all day because the rest of the WR corps is less than intimidating. Gregg has not been good this year, start Cody and see how it goes because they will stick with the run so the Ravens HAVE to stop them up front. Their OL is not nearly as good as Miami's was so even though the DL looked porous yesterday they should have a better game against the Falcons. The Falcons D is also nothing special as far as matching up with our receivers and Boldin should have a big game, and Rice and the screen game should work again.

The only match up problem I see is Tony Gonzalez because he is a big crafty veteran TE and most of the attention will have to be on White.

The Ravens can stop the run because they will beat up the Falcon's OL... the Ravens can hopefully take away White by double teaming him. I DON'T think the Falcons have an answer for our dynamic offense. Their secondary is not very good, the receivers could have a big game...

And most importantly, we are going in healthy...

[Jamal]

Keep Washington as far away from White as possible.

[FlaccoFlicker]

I don't know if White would be my main worry.Turner could shred us on the ground.We haven't been stellar in run d,ecspecially against power runners.At first Ronnie Brown was killing us but we adjusted,I just hope we can do the same.And I feel Ed will be helping out our DB on White.
Like Pu said the Falcons are coming off a game also and in my opinion there's was harder.A divisional game that did wear and tear 2 of their top players.The Raens can win this game,especially if we can control the clock.
think it will be close,but we squuek out a victory on a fg by Cundiff.27-24.

[PuRock]

[quote name='FlaccoFlicker' timestamp='1289231332' post='531225']
I don't know if White would be my main worry.Turner could shred us on the ground.We haven't been stellar in run d,ecspecially against power runners.At first Ronnie Brown was killing us but we adjusted,I just hope we can do the same.And I feel Ed will be helping out our DB on White.
Like Pu said the Falcons are coming off a game also and in my opinion there's was harder.A divisional game that did wear and tear 2 of their top players.The Raens can win this game,especially if we can control the clock.
think it will be close,but we squuek out a victory on a fg by Cundiff.27-24.
[/quote]

I agree. I worry more about Turner than anybody else. If we allow him to have those huge holes, he will make us pay. He can take tosses to the outside, he can run between the tackle. We need to be in tip top game form to stop the run. I think it should be our main focus point.

We've held our ground against Moss and Marshall without totally game planning for those guys.

[EnVy_CaLiBeR]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1289231440' post='531229']
I agree. I worry more about Turner than anybody else. If we allow him to have those huge holes, he will make us pay. He can take tosses to the outside, he can run between the tackle. We need to be in tip top game form to stop the run. I think it should be our main focus point.

We've held our ground against Moss and Marshall without totally game planning for those guys.
[/quote]
Agreed. The holes Ronnie Brown had Turner would of took them to the house. Turner is their biggest threat and then we need to pressure Ryan. Don't let him get the time to get to White and Gonzalez just like we did Henne. Force turnovers!

[PuRock]

[quote name='XxSizzleXx' timestamp='1289195626' post='530969']
And we don't have to wait until Sunday!
[/quote]

But you will have to wait a week from Sunday after Thursday's game.

[FlaccoFlicker]

It's gonna be fun.I will be watching on my droid lol.NFL mobile.

[bmorefan444]

After yesterdays game Atlanta knows they have to have someone following Ray Rice's every move. That takes one more person out of the down-field equation which makes things clearer for Flacco. Ravens need Rice to get going early so he's always in the mind of the Falcons defense. On top of this, I thought McGahee played with high energy and he looked determined. I wouldn't mind seeing even more of him against Atlanta.

[PuRock]

[quote name='bmorefan444' timestamp='1289232915' post='531267']
[b]After yesterdays game Atlanta knows they have to have someone following Ray Rice's every move.[/b] That takes one more person out of the down-field equation which makes things clearer for Flacco. Ravens need Rice to get going early so he's always in the mind of the Falcons defense. On top of this, I thought McGahee played with high energy and he looked determined. I wouldn't mind seeing even more of him against Atlanta.
[/quote]

Actually teams have been spying Ray Rice all season long already. Even the Dolphins were at times, but they also blew a lot of flat coverages.

[bmorefan444]

Whoever's job it was to spy on Rice yesterday should've recieved a stern talking to. lol Whenever Ray Rice caught a pass yesterday, he was about 6 yards from the nearest defender.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1289231440' post='531229']
I agree. I worry more about Turner than anybody else. If we allow him to have those huge holes, he will make us pay. He can take tosses to the outside, he can run between the tackle. We need to be in tip top game form to stop the run. I think it should be our main focus point.

We've held our ground against Moss and Marshall without totally game planning for those guys.
[/quote]
Agreed, the Falcons usually go when Turner goes. We need to contain him and hit the holes before he gets there. We need to be aggressive in this game with our rush D.

[FerrariFan87]

We shut down Marshall... I think we can limit a hobbling White... Tony Gonzalez is going to be just as big of an issue/match-up problem in my mind.

[Finally]

Falcons fan here.

Well it has finally arrived. The "big" showdown. I know they were in the same draft class which means they will always be compared but am I the only one tired of it? They are both great young developing quarterbacks. Each has had some good games and some not so good games but that is why we call them developing and not developed.

I do not know what to expect this Thursday night. I am glad we are the ones at home.

Both fan bases are probably thinking along the same lines. Neither of us believe we will finish out the season undefeated and we are both looking around realizing we need every game to stay ahead of division rivals and try to get top seed for our young quarterbacks. If Pitt wins tonight we are also in the same boat of falling back into a tie if we lose.

Hopefully we will come out of the game injury free.

Best of luck against TB and NO.

[Mick0311]

I honestly don't think it will be close. 27-17 in the end, but have solid control over the whole game. Go Ravens. All I can think about is that funny commercial with the old Saints fan holding a Falcons voodoo doll; "Dirty bird can't fly with broken wings!" LOL

[1/28/01]

[quote name='Finally' timestamp='1289235143' post='531315']
Falcons fan here.

Well it has finally arrived. The "big" showdown. I know they were in the same draft class which means they will always be compared but am I the only one tired of it? They are both great young developing quarterbacks. Each has had some good games and some not so good games but that is why we call them developing and not developed.

I do not know what to expect this Thursday night. I am glad we are the ones at home.

Both fan bases are probably thinking along the same lines. Neither of us believe we will finish out the season undefeated and we are both looking around realizing we need every game to stay ahead of division rivals and try to get top seed for our young quarterbacks. If Pitt wins tonight we are also in the same boat of falling back into a tie if we lose.

Hopefully we will come out of the game injury free.

Best of luck against TB and NO.
[/quote]
Welcome.....one quick thing, whether Pittsburgh wins or not, we're still tops in our division.

Yes, the comparisons are getting very old!

[Finally]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1289237179' post='531343']
Welcome.....one quick thing, whether Pittsburgh wins or not, we're still tops in our division.

Yes, the comparisons are getting very old!
[/quote]

Thanks.

Right, because of tie breaker rules. Assuming TB wins this week and we lose we will stay on top too but I would rather have the better record and I am assuming you would too.

Besides we have the Giants to consider and you have the Patriots.

It is odd how much in common we have this year.

[PuRock]

[quote name='Finally' timestamp='1289238525' post='531372']
Thanks.

Right, because of tie breaker rules. Assuming TB wins this week and we lose we will stay on top too but I would rather have the better record and I am assuming you would too.

Besides we have the Giants to consider and you have the Patriots.

It is odd how much in common we have this year.
[/quote]

BFFs???

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='Finally' timestamp='1289238525' post='531372']
Thanks.

Right, because of tie breaker rules. Assuming TB wins this week and we lose we will stay on top too but I would rather have the better record and I am assuming you would too.

Besides we have the Giants to consider and you have the Patriots.

It is odd how much in common we have this year.
[/quote]

It seems that Joe Cool and Matty Ice will always be linked... I'd say Joe has the edge at the moment, mainly due to his playoff success (their career numbers are pretty much identical). It's going to be a very tough game against another former Ravens coach.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1289238834' post='531378']
BFFs???
[/quote]
[B]B[/b]eat [b]F[/b]alcons.....[b]F[/b]alcons (damn, nevermind)

[oldfalcon]

[quote name='Mick0311' timestamp='1289236316' post='531329']
I honestly don't think it will be close. 27-17 in the end, but have solid control over the whole game. Go Ravens. All I can think about is that funny commercial with the old Saints fan holding a Falcons voodoo doll; "Dirty bird can't fly with broken wings!" LOL
[/quote]

Oldfalcon here..I am just stopping by to have some friendly Football talk and a little smack to..lol.I don`t see how you think that your team is so good that it will come in and blow us away when we are 20-1 at home since 2008.You need to stck with the close prediction,if you win at all:)Ask the Saints how their Voodoo Doll worked on us:)I am hoping for a great game, with a Falcons victory and both teams come out healthy!

[Jamal]

[quote name='Mick0311' timestamp='1289236316' post='531329']
I honestly don't think it will be close. 27-17 in the end, but have solid control over the whole game. Go Ravens. All I can think about is that funny commercial with the old Saints fan holding a Falcons voodoo doll; "Dirty bird can't fly with broken wings!" LOL
[/quote]
I disagree there. The Falcons are almost unbeatable at home. Its probably not going to be as easy as your making it out to be.

[Falcons4Ever]

Hi, Falcon fan here. I am looking forward to the game on Thursday - should be a good one. You guys are looking great - here's hoping this game is a preview to the Super Bowl. Wouldn't that be a kick - with both picking gems in the draft to head up our offense, having to listen to the media attempt to pit them against each other every chance they get and not being able to enjoy our own QB's without having to hear about the other (lol). Anyway - I think both teams got really lucky. You have a franchise QB who fits your team perfectly and so do we. Doesn't always happen so we can both be thankful.

Anyway - as far as impact - other than record - this game has the least impact on both teams - since we are not in the same Division or Conference - but I think it's going to be played hard for the full 60. I hope so. I'll be there and hope some of you guys get the chance to come into the Dome and see the game.

Here is to no injuries and a great game fairly called (is that an oxymoron these days or what?) and decided on the field by the players.

Good Luck the rest of the year - hope to see you guys again in Post season!

[ravensdfan]

[quote name='melvinmelon123' timestamp='1289167119' post='530265']
OK, thanks for the updates. He worries me since he can blow the top off the D. As long as we [b]keep Fabian far, far away from him[/b] we'll be all right I hope
[/quote]

Isn't that part of Fab's problem? He is far far away from where he should be? lol