The Atlanta Falcons are heading back home hot off two huge primetime wins. No matter how good or bad each team was, playing in Lambeau Field and the Superdome isn't easy and beating those teams handedly wasn't a guarantee at all.
Though the Falcons did it, flashing aggressive play-calls, physicality, continuity, and individual leadership that stood out amongst the rest. Now they face off against the Baltimore Ravens who will be without Lamar Jackson as they look to continue their winning ways.
The Ravens aren't a guarantee either with key matchups around every corner. These are two physical teams with things to prove, and the most important part of this game may be the smaller battles. As a Falcons fan I'd keep my eye on these key matchups heading into Sunday Nights matchup.
What matchups are the biggest key to victory for the Falcons tonight?
1. Nate Wiggins vs. Drake London
The 8th ranked receiver in the league, according to PFF, with a 89.8 overall grade, is facing an athletic up and coming cornerback in Nate Wiggins and this matchup could be extremely interesting. Nate Wiggins comes into this game off a hot start with an overall flat 70 rating per PFF ranking him top 21 in the NFL at corner. In his 8th ranked 163 coverage snaps, he's racked up 2 pass breakups on only 11 receptions allowed.
All this while only allowing an average 77.6 quarterback rating per PFF. Drake London's obviously a bigger player than Wiggins and poses a threat to him with his large frame. Wiggins may struggle getting bodied out with his smaller 6'1, 185lb build. Though Wiggins is described as a fighter and competitor and with his home town being Atlanta, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him fight hard. route running is another aspect of London that he could beat Wiggins with, his ability to use his body to leverage routes and knockdown opposing corners was evident in Week 4.
Ultimately this will be a integral battle to look out in this game since London is Michael Penix Jr.'s favorite target and Wiggins is expected to shadow him most of the night.
2. Bijan Robinson vs. Derrick Henry
These running backs at the moment represent different sides of the spectrum, from young to old, to power vs. finesse, these two backs are battling in two different ways. Either way this battle could mean a lot on both sides of the football for Atlanta.
Derrick Henry is a monster and even behind a weaker offensive line--run wise--Henry has still averaged over 4 yards a carry and 7 touchdowns in just four games. This is Atlanta's chance to prove their run defense isn't just a fluke since the backs they've faced are not necessarily elite. On the other side sits Bijan Robinson, a player who Henry himself admitted is the best back in football.
Bijan has played like it too, on to back-to-back dominating ground games, Robinson has averaged over 169 yards a game the last two weeks based on my math. The Ravens rank No. 10 against the run this season and play a physical brand of football--one Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski wants to uphold himself. This is a real opportunity to establish your mentality early if your Atlanta, as you look forward to the gauntlet of games ahead.
3. C.J. Henderson vs. Zay Flowers
C.J Henderson was thrown into the fire almost instantly as a starter due to an early AJ Terrell injury and hasn't looked back securing the number one boundary role opposite rookie Avieon Terrell. Henderson holds a 76.2 PFF grade ranking him 10th in the league at cornerback through his two starts and four games played.
He'll again start this week against the Ravens meaning he may see significant time against the Ravens top receiver Zay Flowers. Flowers is a quick, agile, route runner, whose versatile speed can get him anywhere on the field. He ranks 4th overall at receiver with a 90.8 PFF grade and has already achieved over 350 yards in his four games played.
C.J Henderson's a tall physical corner who's not necessarily defined by speed which could be in Flowers favor as he tries to get open for Tyler Huntley. With 31 total targets resulting in only 17 receptions and 4 pass breakups, this former first round pick will aim to make it a game against one of the best receivers in the league.
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