SCOUTING REPORT
Ravens run offense vs. Falcons run defense -- RAVENS
With the Ravens falling behind early to the Steelers last week, Jamal Lewis tied his career low rushing total (34 yards) since taking over as starter in 2000. He will get a chance to rebound since the Ravens feel they can control the clock against a solid yet unspectacular front seven. With the 21st-ranked ground game, the Ravens believe they can grind out a successful running attack at 4- and 5-yard clips. Atlanta, which has the 19th-ranked run defense, has allowed only five runs over 15 yards in the past five games.
Key stat: Three. Lewis' fumbles lost this season, tied for second most in the NFL.
Ravens pass offense vs. Falcons pass defense -- FALCONS
With Chris Redman out with a lower back injury, backup quarterback Jeff Blake will start his second straight game but his first with a full week of practice with the starters. Blake's 298-yard passing day against the Steelers was tainted by three interceptions. He does get the wide-outs more involved and brings more mobility to the offense. The Falcons have the league's sixth-ranked pass defense, and opposing quarterbacks have completed only 52 percent of their passes. Although veteran cornerback Ashley Ambrose is solid, Atlanta's secondary has average safeties and a declining cornerback in Ray Buchanan.
Key stat: 1. Sack allowed by the Ravens' offensive line in the team's past 76 pass plays.
Falcons run offense vs. Ravens run defense -- FALCONS
The Falcons can come from all angles. They have speed with Warrick Dunn, power with T.J. Duckett and unpredictability with quarterback Michael Vick. Duckett (torn ligament in left foot), who missed last week's game, is listed as questionable. The fourth-ranked rushing attack has averaged 5.8 yards per carry the past two games. Over that same span, the Ravens have given up a total of 283 yards rushing and three touchdowns. The Ravens' linebackers have to show they can pull down Vick and Dunn in the open field.
Key stat: 7. Rushing touchdowns by the Falcons the past two games.
Falcons pass offense vs. Ravens pass defense -- EVEN
Atlanta's receivers -- Shawn Jefferson and Brian Finneran -- could be the worst duo in the NFL. The Falcons' third-leading receiver, Willie Jackson, was cut Monday after complaining that he wasn't getting the ball enough. But defenses have to be so aware of Vick's rifle arm and scrambling ability that it allows receivers to break off their routes and get open. Tight end Alge Crumpler is an emerging target and could create problems for Ravens rookie safeties Will Demps and Ed Reed. Atlanta's 26th-rated passing attack goes against the Ravens' 25th-ranked pass defense, which has allowed opponents to complete 65.5 percent of their passes.
Key stat: 163. Consecutive passes thrown by Vick without an interception, dating to last season.
Special teams -- EVEN
The Ravens lost the field-position battle against the Steelers, fumbling the first two kickoffs and returning only two of six kickoffs beyond the 20-yard line. Rookie Lamont Brightful is expected to replace veteran Robert Tate as the primary kickoff returner. Likewise, the Falcons have to plug the holes on kickoff coverage that were costly last week against the Saints. Atlanta's Jay Feely is in a groove after making four straight field goals from 41 to 49 yards, including the game-winning 47-yarder last week.
Key stat: 1. Tackles inside the 20-yard line by the Ravens' kickoff coverage team, tied for second fewest in the NFL.
Intangibles -- RAVENS
The Falcons are riding high -- maybe too high -- after their upset of the Saints, when they rushed the field as if they had won the Super Bowl. With higher-profile showdowns with the Steelers and Saints in the next two weeks, Atlanta could be looking past the Ravens. There's an incentive for the Ravens to show they are not as bad as they looked in the 31-18 loss to the Steelers. If anything, the Ravens have proved to be resilient after tough losses. In club history, the Ravens are 1-4 in domes, with their only win coming at the Georgia Dome.
Prediction -- FALCONS
The Ravens' defense has been slowly withering away each week without Ray Lewis. Chasing Vick won't help matters. The Ravens will add to Vick's highlight reel in a 27-21 loss.
BREAK DOWN
Records
Ravens 3-4 Falcons 4-3
Line
Falcons by 7 1/2
Vs. spread
Ravens 4-3 Falcons 5-2
Series
Ravens lead 1-0 Last meeting
Ravens won, 19-13, in OT on Oct. 3, 1999, in Atlanta
NFL rankings
Ravens offense: Rush (21), pass (29), overall (30).
Ravens defense: Rush (12), pass (25), overall (22).
Falcons offense: Rush (4), pass (26), overall (15).
Falcons defense: Rush (19), pass (6), overall (5).
Quick hits
With 12 interceptions, the Ravens are tied for third in the NFL and are on pace for a franchise-record 27.
Ravens' Todd Heap is third among AFC tight ends in receptions (29).
Falcons are 27-10 (.730) under coach Dan Reeves when leading at halftime.
Falcons K Jay Feely leads NFC with 10 touchbacks.
Injuries
RAVENS: Out: LB Ray Lewis (shoulder); DE Michael McCrary (knee). Doubtful: QB Chris Redman (back). Questionable: OT Damion Cook (ankle). Probable: CB Gary Baxter (neck); CB James Trapp (knee).
FALCONS: Out: WR Darrin Chiaverini (quadriceps); C Roberto Garza (foot). Doubtful: CB Juran Bolden (knee); DE Brady Smith (shoulder). Questionable: RB T.J. Duckett (foot); LB Artie Ulmer (neck). Probable: CB Kevin Mathis (knee); QB Michael Vick (shoulder/hand); OT Todd Weiner (calf).
STARTING LINEUPS
Ravens offense
WR 80 Brandon Stokley
LT 75 Jonathan Ogden
LG 64 Edwin Mulitalo
C 62 Mike Flynn
RG 66 Bennie Anderson
RT 77 Ethan Brooks, TE 86 Todd Heap
WR 89 Travis Taylor
QB 11 Jeff Blake, FB 39 Alan Ricard, RB 31 Jamal Lewis
Falcons defense
RE 92 Reggie McGrew
NT 95 Ed Jasper
LE 97 Patrick Kerney
OLB 93 Sam Rogers
ILB 59 John Holecek
ILB 56 Keith Brooking
OLB 52 Matt Stewart
CB 34 Ray Buchanan
CB 33 Ashley Ambrose
SS 22 Gerald McBurrows
FS 29 Keion Carpenter
Falcons offense
WR 84 Shawn Jefferson
LT 70 Bob Whitfield
LG 71 Travis Claridge
C 62 Todd McClure
RG 65 Kynan Forney
RT 74 Todd Weiner
TE 89 Reggie Kelly
WR 86 Brian Finneran
QB 7 Michael Vick
FB 44 Bob Christian
RB 28 Warrick Dunn
Ravens defense
LE 98 Tony Weaver
NT 97 Kelly Gregg
RE 96 Adalius Thomas
OLB 90 Cornell Brown
ILB 56 Ed Hartwell
ILB 51 Bernardo Harris
OLB 58 Peter Boulware
CB 21 Chris McAlister
CB 28 Gary Baxter
SS 47 Will Demps
FS 20 Ed Reed
INSIDE SLANT
George Kokinis, the Ravens' assistant director of player personnel, sizes up the Falcons:
Strength
Quarterback Michael Vick. He's extremely explosive and a unique talent. The Eagles' Donovan McNabb is a great scrambler because of his vision and natural feel. Vick has that plus amazing speed. He also has a strong arm. Last week, he scored a touchdown and whipped the ball into the stands. What you didn't see on TV is that the ball went into the upper deck. That's pretty impressive with a bad shoulder.
Key matchup
Ravens RT Ethan Brooks vs. Falcons DE Patrick Kerney. Brooks is coming off probably his best game as a pro against a pretty stout Steelers defense. Kerney leads Atlanta with four sacks. He is a speed to power rusher, meaning he takes two steps upfield and then turns right toward the linemen. He just gets his hands inside and bulls. That's what Brooks needs to be ready for.
Play to watch
Boot waggle pass left. It's designed to move Vick into space, giving him three downfield targets along with the option to run. The receiver split left runs a 15-yard come-back route. Crossing from the right side to the middle of the field, the tight end and slot receiver give Vick a high-low read. The tight end runs a shallow drag over the middle and the slot receiver runs a deeper crossing route.