ATLANTA — The Baltimore Ravens will be without Lamar Jackson for their Week 5 primetime visit to Atlanta after the quarterback suffered an "unconventional" ankle injury in Week 4 that was neither a high nor low sprain, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Jackson's absence has made the host Falcons 3.5-point favorites via FanDuel Sportsbook for the Sunday night matchup between Jesse Minter's 3-1 Ravens and a 2-2 Atlanta team that is firing on all cylinders.
Atlanta lost its first two games with ex-Raven Cooper Rush under center, but Michael Penix's return has transformed the offense. The Falcons have eclipsed 200 passing and 200 rushing yards in both of his starts, totaling 80 points and 918 yards of offense. Defensively, Atlanta has stifled opposing rushing attacks to 48.3 yards per game and 2.7 yards per carry, and while it has allowed the third-most passing yards in the league, it has allowed just the seventh-fewest yards per attempt behind a ferocious pass rush.
Baltimore will also be without leading edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, and newly acquired center Cam Jurgens will not be available until next week. Backup Tyler Huntley will make his 17th career start and 12th in Baltimore, having won both of Jackson's absences last year as a 'gamer' who can play above his perceived arm talent. His success has been predicated on the run game, both through traditional under-center concepts to Derrick Henry and read-option looks with his own legs, an area where Baltimore has been underwhelming at times this season. Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle and offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford will need new answers against Atlanta's front, with Beatdown's Zach Canter proposing a heavy dose of outside zone to target weakened edge defenders and force the interior to chase to the sideline, plus designed quarterback runs to keep the defense honest and avoid obvious passing downs behind an injured offensive line. In the pass game, quick reads and high-percentage touches will be key, with Zay Flowers — the league's most efficient receiver through four weeks — drawing attention and potential changeups to tight end Matt Hibner, who has flashed yards-after-catch ability in his first four NFL games, and Rashod Bateman, who is underrated after the catch.
Defensively, Minter could counter Atlanta's rushing attack and Bijan Robinson with more base personnel. Instead of Baltimore's traditional 3-4, Minter could deploy 4-3 looks with Roquan Smith, Trenton Simpson and Teddye Buchanan as off-ball linebackers, with Kyle Hamilton moving into the box for a modified 4-4 look against heavy sets. Robinson's perimeter ability demands speed and creativity, but scheme will not matter without tackling. Minter and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver have stressed fundamentals, including discipline against the strip — Robinson has coughed the ball up 11 times since 2023 — with an emphasis on wrapping up first before teammates attack the ball to limit missed tackles.
Atlanta's quick-passing game presents another challenge. Penix's 2.29-second time to throw is the fastest in the league, making blitzes ineffective but opening a bait opportunity. Showing pressure could force Penix to his pre-snap hot reads, allowing Minter to drop the 6-foot-4 Hamilton off the line of scrimmage into quick passing lanes to try to steal a possession. The approach builds on Ravens' 3 Keys vs Falcons: Huntley, Henry Must Control Clock, which highlighted the need for Huntley and Henry to control the clock in Atlanta.