The Atlanta Falcons are riding high after a 45-24 win over the New Orleans Saints on Monday night. Now they prepare for a different kind of test on Sunday. The Baltimore Ravens will travel to Mercedes-Benz Stadium without their star quarterback. Lamar Jackson has an ankle injury and will not play. Tyler Huntley will start his first game of the season. This shift changes the whole dynamic of the matchup. The Falcons are strong against the run, which matters even more now. Per Yahoo Sports, the team ranks first in rushing yards allowed per game.
A Backup Quarterback Steps In
Huntley knows the playbook well. He has started 11 games for Baltimore over six seasons. His record is 5-6. He also faced Atlanta before. In 2022, Huntley led the Ravens to a 17-9 win over the Falcons. This is not a new face for the team. The Ravens want to improve to 4-1. They know the Falcons are dangerous. The Falcons just scored 45 points. That is a lot of offense to stop. The Ravens need Huntley to manage the game well. He must avoid big mistakes. The offense cannot rely on big runs like Jackson does. The defense will try to make him throw. They will bring pressure. If Huntley holds up, Baltimore can still win. If he cracks, the game could get ugly fast.
Fans React to the Injury News
Social media lit up when the news broke. Fans expect the Falcons to dominate. One supporter wrote: “Another Falcons primetime beatdown.” Others joked about the quarterback situation. “It’s okay they have a former Pro Bowler back there,” one fan said. The injury to Jackson is part of a larger trend. Many quarterbacks are hurt this year. “This season is shaping up to be the year of the backup quarterback,” one fan wrote. Some fans think the Ravens are in trouble because of Jackson’s running style. “Just when the Ravens got back to playoff form, I think him running a lot is finally getting to him,” a fan suggested. The loss of Jackson hurts the excitement. “Lamar out for Sunday night is rough. That game just lost a lot of juice,” another fan noted. The fan base feels the pain of the injury. But they also see a chance for Atlanta. “This has to be some kind of record for most QB injuries in a year,” someone asked. The mood is mixed. Some worry, others cheer. The game is still going to be tough. Baltimore has good players even without Jackson.
The Trap Game Warning
Not everyone thinks it will be easy for Atlanta. Some see a trap. “This could be a trap game! But it’s going to be a good game,” one supporter wrote. The Falcons might get too confident. They just beat a rival team badly. The Ravens are a smart team. They have a new coach. They will not lay down. The defense needs to stay focused. The run game must keep working. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich is doing a great job. Linebacker Divine Deablo is leading the unit well. He is the green-dot guy on the field. He makes the calls. The defense plays as one unit. This is key against a team that wants to run. The Ravens will try to control the clock. If they do, the Falcons offense might sit on the sideline. The game will be a battle of trenches. The side that wins the line of scrimmage will likely win the game. Atlanta has the edge at home. But Baltimore has the experience. Sunday night will tell us who is better.
