The Baltimore Ravens will hit the road in week five for th third time this season, but the for the first time will be in primetime as they get set to take on the Atlanata Falcons on Sunday night. Baltimore enters Week five sitting at 3–1 and riding momentum following back-to-back victories over Dallas and Tennessee. While the Falcons are coming off a an impressive road victory over the New Orleans Saints last Monday night winning by a final of 45-24, to move to 2-2 on the year.
The injury bug has hit the Ravens hard though the first four weeks, and it looks like it will be key in how Sunday night plays out as the biggest injury news surrounds quarterback Lamar Jackson (ankle). Jackson did not practice all week after spraining his ankle last week against the Titans, and has officially been ruled out for Sundays contest. Backup Tyler Huntley will get the start for the 17th time in his career, and his second career start against the Falcons. Recently acquired center Cam Jurgens (concussion) has also been ruled out along with outside linebacker Trey Hendrickson (finger) who will miss for the second straight week.
For the Falcons linebacker Yasir Abdullah (hamstring) is the only Falcon currently ruled out, while offensive tackle Jake Matthews (groin), defensive end Za’Darius Smith (concussion), linebacker Divine Deablo (hamstring), and defensive end Samson Ebukam (hamstring) are all listed as questionable.
Players to Watch:
Olaivavega Ioane
Selected 14th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft out of Penn State, rookie guard Olaivavega Ioane has stepped right into a pivotal starting role on Baltimore’s interior offensive line. There was little question that Ioane would be a day one starter for the Ravens, but what no one expected was that by week five Ioane would be the Ravens starting center. After injuries to starter Jovaughn Gwyn and backpup Ethan Pocic two weeks ago in Rio. Ioane stepped up last Sunday to take the starting center spot. With newly acquire center Cam Jurgens in concussion protocol and having been ruled out for Sunday. Ioane will once again be tasked with manning the middle of this Ravens offensive line.
It will be a tough ask for Ioane and this entire Ravens offensive line specially in the run game as the Falcons rank as the number one rush defense in the NFL allowing just over 48 yards rushing per game. With the Ravens potentially starting Huntley they will need to lean on running back Derrick Henry to help get the job done, but that all starts with Ioane and his fellow lineman stepping up to create rushing lanes.
Za’Darius Smith
The veteran pass rusher and former Raven has become a dynamic peiece to this Falcons defense. Through the first four weeks Smith leads the Falcons with 2.5 sacks while also leading the Falcons with an impressive 4.5 tackles for loss.
With Smith’s ability to lineup in multiple spots along the defensive line look for Smith to test the rookie Ioane early, and cause disruption along a banged up Ravens offensive line. The Ravens have struggled with penalties so far this season, and I would expect there to be several holding calls made against the Ravens on Sunday night as they search for ways to slow down this Falcons defensive front led by Smith.
Prediction
With quarterback Lamar Jackson offcially being ruled out for Sunday night it makes it hard to project how this Ravens offense will look against a top 10 defense in the Atlanta Falcons. If the second half last week against the Titans showed anything, its that the Ravens will need to lean heavily on running back Derrick Henry to lead them to victory. But that will be no easy task as the Falcons have yet to give up 100 yards rushing this season, with their most yards allowed being 68 in a week two loss to the Carolina Panthers.
With Huntley’s inability to push the ball down field for big plays, and if the Ravens offensive line cannot create a push against this Falcons defensive front, it could become a long drawn out fight for the Ravens on Sunday night. While the Falcons quarterback play does not jump off the page as being a major concern. Falcons running back Bijan Robinson who is currently second in the NFL in rushing yards with 494, is an elite back that has shown he can take over games. It has been a roller coast thus far for this newly led Jesse Minter Ravens defense, and I think without Jackson, who is unlikely to play Sunday night, it will put more stress on this Ravens defense that has yet to show they can create critical stops in key moments. I think the Ravens inability to create big plays on Sunday night which they rely on offensively coupled with the Falcons offensive playmakers that they have. I think it will be too much for the Ravens to secure the victory on the road. Falcons win 24-16, and push the Ravens to 3-2 on the year.
Line: Atlanta -3
Over/Under: 43.5
All-Time Record: Baltimore leads series 5-2
Last Meeting: 12/24/22 Baltimore 17-9
