Baltimore Ravens vs. Atlanta Falcons: 10 Bold Predictions

It's the Baltimore Ravens versus the Atlanta Falcons in the first week of Thursday night football.

This game is a possible Super Bowl preview, and that's not stretching the grounds of credibility at all. The Ravens and the Steelers will slug it out for first place in the AFC North, and the Falcons just beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to take control of the NFC South.

This is a big game with a lot on the line for both teams, so expect one heck of a fight tonight, even with the short week of practice.

Here are 10 predictions for what we might see in tonight's game.

10. Michael Turner Will Get 100 Yards on the Ground

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 07: Michael Turner #33 of the Atlanta Falcons is tackled by Ronde Barber #20 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Georgia Dome on November 7, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Michael Turner has 694 yards on the season already, and the Ravens 13th ranked rush defense already has let Peyton Hillis run all over them, so there's no reason to think Turner can't succeed against the Ravens tonight.

9. The Ravens Will Strike First

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BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 24: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens passes against the Buffalo Bills at M&T Bank Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Bills lead the Ravens at the half 24-20. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

Joe Flacco and the Ravens may not get the ball first, but they'll be the first ones to put points on the board.

If the Falcons open the game on offense, expect the Ravens defense to produce a three-and-out before Flacco leads a quick strike down the field.

8. Matt Ryan Will Answer

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 07: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates after a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Georgia Dome on November 7, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Even with the quick strike, the Falcons will develop a rhythm, and they will answer those points, making it a 7-7 game before the end of the first quarter.

7. Anquan Boldin Is Going To Have a Good Night

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BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 10: Anquan Boldin #81 of the Baltimore Ravens prepares to run downfield against the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. Players wore pink in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. T

The Falcons have the 26th ranked pass defense in the league, so Anquan Boldin will have a good night.

I'm anticipating more than 100 receiving yards and one touchdown.

6. Ray Rice Will Struggle

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BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 7: Ray Rice #27 of the Baltimore Ravens runs the ball against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium on November 7, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 26-10. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

While the Falcons' pass defense is weak, their run defense is pretty good.

The defensive line is good at shutting down the running lanes and Ray Rice will finish the game with about 60-70 yards.

5. Willis McGahee Gets No Touchdowns

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BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 7: Willis McGahee #23 of the Baltimore Ravens runs the ball against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium on November 7, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 26-10. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

The touchdown thief, scourge of fantasy leagues everywhere, will be neutralized Thursday night, running for about 30-40 yards and not getting in the end zone.

4. Roddy White Lights It Up in the First Half

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 24: Roddy White #84 of the Atlanta Falcons scores a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals at Georgia Dome on October 24, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Yes, his knee is in a brace, but adrenaline is a wonderful thing.

White will make some good catches in the first half before the knee injury starts bothering him and the Ravens' defense starts adjusting.

3. Atlanta Will Adjust To Flacco in the Second Half

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 24: Brian Finneran #86 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates his touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals with Harry Douglas #83 and Michael Jenkins #12 at Georgia Dome on October 24, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty

While Flacco to Boldin will be a big part of the first half, the Falcons will adjust in the second, and the Ravens offense will struggle as they keep going for the big play but won't be able to convert many third downs.

2. Matt Ryan Will Have a Great Night

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 24: Roddy White #84 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates after pulling a touchdown reception from quarterback Matt Ryan against the Cincinnati Bengals at Georgia Dome on October 24, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty I

Ryan and the Falcons' coaching staff will look at what the Buffalo Bills did, pick out what worked, and expose the Ravens' defensive flaws again.

The Dolphins weren't able to do it, but the Falcons have a better team.

1. The Falcons Win in a Squeaker

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 07: Stephen Nicholas #54 of the Atlanta Falcons enters the field during defensive player introductions before facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Georgia Dome on November 7, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The game is going to be close, the teams are going to pound at each other, but the Falcons come out on top.

Falcons 24  Ravens 21