Ravens-Falcons Preview: Matt Ryan Money at Home, Ravens Still Tough On Defense

The Atlanta Falcons play host to the Baltimore Ravens in what is being whispered as a possible Super Bowl preview on Thursday night at the Georgia Dome.

Both at 6-2 and atop their respective divisions, the Ravens take the ninth-ranked defense against the Falcons’ fifth-ranked offense, although the Ravens are a much better defense now that safety Ed Reed is settling in.

The Ravens come off a 26-10 win over the Miami Dolphins while the Falcons survived a Josh Freeman fourth-quarter comeback attempt against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday, prevailing 27-21.

The Falcons have been money at home. Quarterback Matt Ryan is 17-1 all-time at the Georgia Dome, winning his last 13. The Falcons as a team have averaged 30.8 points in their four home games in 2010, all wins.

And if you thought Ryan would be without Roddy White, think again.

White says he is good to go for Thursday night, so Ryan will have his primary target and the league’s sixth-ranked running game (136.5 yards per game) to help him take on the Ravens defense.

Running back Michael Turner has rushed for 100-plus yards in back-to-back weeks and in four of the last six weeks.

The Ravens offense, on the other hand, is getting going as well.

Racking-up almost 400 yards per game in their last four games and averaging 28.5 points in those games, Joe Flacco’s offense saw running back Ray Rice return to form against the Dolphins, rushing for 83 yards and gaining 97 through the air.

The Ravens defense has held opponents to 20 points or fewer in six of their eight games, while the Falcons have scored 20 or more in five of their eight games.

Key Players

Baltimore Ravens

Joe Flacco: The Falcons are 26th in the league in passing defense, allowing 250.5 yards per game. Matt Ryan is money at home. The Falcons offense is rolling right now. If the Ravens want to get out of Atlanta with a win, Flacco and Anquan Boldin are going to have to make something happen in the passing game to keep pace with the Falcons' Ryan/White connection.

Atlanta Falcons

Michael Turner: The Ravens have held their opponents to 85 rushing yards or fewer in three of their last five games. If Matt Ryan wants to avoid finding Ed Reed, who has three interceptions in his two games since returning, Turner must have a good showing.

The Falcons host the Ravens on Thursday Night Football at 8:20 p.m. EDT.

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