Can Matt Ryan win a shootout against Joe Flacco? The obvious answer is no. The Falcons have scored only three touchdowns over their past nine quarters, and two were long catch-and-run plays by running back Antone Smith. The other touchdown was a 10-yard run by Steven Jackson in the first quarter against the New York Giants. The dip coincidences with the injuries along the offensive line to Justin Blalock (back), Lamar Holmes (foot) and Joe Hawley (center). Blalock has returned to the lineup and Holmes has been replaced by Gabe Carimi and Hawley by Peter Konz.
Can the Falcons find a way to put pressure on Flacco? With defensive end Jonathan Massaquoi leading the way, the Falcons mounted a credible pass rush against Chicago. The defense had 18 quarterback hurries, three hits and two sacks. Massaquoi, who took over for Kroy Biermann in some passing situations, had three hurries, two hits and a sack. The Falcons have only seven sacks on the season. Flacco has been only just seven times. Last week, despite starting two rookies in left tackle James Hurst and left guard John Urschel, the Ravens allowed no sacks.
Who will win the field-position battle with dueling returners Devin Hester and Jacoby Jones? Falcons coach Mike Smith has not been pleased with the blocking on the returns for Hester. That was a point of emphasis in practice last week as Hester had to dodge too many unblocked tacklers against the Bears. "I've got to do a better job with those guys," special-teams coordinator Keith Armstrong said. "I have to do a better job coaching it." Jones also is a dangerous return man. He's averaging 10.3 yards on punt returns and 30.1 on kickoff returns.
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