Falcons Dominated by Ravens
ATLANTA— The scoreboard inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium showed a 10-point victory for the Baltimore Ravens (7-5) after their week 13 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons (4-8). But the 26-16 tally doesn’t do justice to the complete dominance displayed by the Ravens on Sunday. The Baltimore offense possessed the ball for nearly 40 minutes, and the defense only allowed 131 net yards.
Credit most of their domination to 207 rushing yards. No matter the ball carrier, the Ravens found consistent success on the ground. Even when Lamar Jackson left the game for a possible concussion, backup quarterback Robert Griffin III led an 8-minute drive that resulted in a field goal. It lengthened the Ravens’ second-half lead and gave Jackson enough time to pass the concussion evaluation and return to the game.
“If it’s one series, a game, three games, a whole season or whatever it may be, I think [God’s] equipped me with the mental fortitude and the toughness to go out there and do what I do,” Griffin said.
The Baltimore defense came into Sunday’s game as the top-ranked unit in the NFL. They showed us why. They kept the NFL’s passing leader Matt Ryan in check, allowing just 131 passing yards and then one touchdown in the final five minutes of the game. They also sacked the former MVP three times, with one ending in a fumble recovery for a touchdown. They limited All-Pro receiver Julio Jones to two catches for 18 yards. Baltimore also stifled Atlanta’s rushing attack, allowing just 34 yards.
This loss is Atlanta’s fourth straight and the fourth home loss this season. They are now in 4th place in the NFC South, with four games remaining on the schedule.
“It hurts,” said wide receiver Calvin Ridley.
“Guys are sick and pissed and disappointed…,” said head coach Dan Quinn.
Fans feel the same way. Especially since several of them saw their Georgia Bulldogs blow the SEC Championship Game on Saturday.
It’s been an ugly weekend for football in Georgia, and the Falcons didn’t make it any better by being dominated on Sunday.
Next week, they’ll travel to Green Bay for a matchup with the Packers.
