Baltimore offense vs. Atlanta defense

	RAVENS OFFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	Run	12
	Pass	27
	Tot. Yds.	23
	Scoring	25
	Int's allowed	30
	Sacks allowed	25
	FALCONS DEFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	vs. Run	22
	vs. Pass	9
	Total yds. allowed	13
	Ints.	23
	Sacks	31
	Turnover differential	-8

The Falcons hobble into this game with a 0-3 record and a very thin defensive line.

Atlanta's normally stacked front four will be forced to take on Ravens RB Errict Rhett without the services of starting RDT Shane Dronett and top reserve Ed Jasper. Although he should play, LDT Travis Hall had surgery on his left thumb this week and he could have trouble using his hands and disengaging from blockers. The rash of injuries will force Defensive Coordinator Rich Brooks to get production from journeyman Shawn Swayda and ex-practice squad guy Ben Huff.

Baltimore's offensive line has played surprisingly well thus far, especially the right side, where ROG Jeff Blackshear and ex-Bronco ROT Harry Swayne have done a great job of wearing down defenses in the second half. Rhett, who has two-straight 100-yard games, has run hard the past two weeks behind FB Charles Evans.

Atlanta's defense, especially the linebacking corps, played lethargic football last week. Starting OLB Henri Crockett and Keith Brooking, along with nickel backer Craig Sauer, will be asked to do a lot in coverage on Sunday because the Ravens' passing game is heavy with 10-15 yard intermediate routes.

QB Stoney Case (49.5 rating) hasn't been much better than Scott Mitchell (31.5) in the passing game, but he does bring an improvisational element to this offense that was missing the first two games. Case still needs to learn not to force the ball into coverage, but he does keep the chains moving with his legs (12 att., 65 yds., 2 TD).

What the Ravens lack offensively is a big WR or receiving TE that can stretch the defense and make plays down the middle of the field. Because Case doesn't have the arm to take advantage of WR Jermaine Lewis' deep speed, the Ravens passing game is focused on two players that have been out of the league at times the past couple of years -- Qadry Ismail and Justin Armour. Falcon DCs Ronnie Bradford and Ray Buchanan were scorched repeatedly last week by the Rams but they should be able to shut down Ismail and Armour in man coverage.

The Falcons' defensive problems stem from the fact that they have a league-low two sacks in three games. If they Bradford and Buchanan can handle their man coverage assignments, look for the Falcons to blitz Case all afternoon.

Atlanta offense vs. Baltimore defense

	FALCONS OFFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	Run	26
	Pass	11
	Tot. Yds.	18
	Scoring	30
	Int's allowed	22
	Sacks allowed	21
	RAVENS DEFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	vs. Run	14
	vs. Pass	14
	Total yds. allowed	8
	Ints.	16
	Sacks	6
	Turnover differential	-4

The loss RB Jamal Anderson and the questionable status of QB Chris Chandler have left this offense in disarray. Anderson's replacement, Byron Hanspard, had little running room last Sunday against the Rams, and he gained just 50 yards on 17 carries (2.9 avg.).

The key for Atlanta will be early success in the passing game. Although they don't necessarily have to hit on big plays, the Falcons must at least be efficient in the short passing game to prevent the Ravens' athletic front seven from gearing up for the run. The Falcons will continue to rotate their OGs in effort to keep the line fresh.

Look for backup RB Ken Oxendine to get more carries this week. The more Oxendine hammers the inside, the better success Hanspard should have getting to the corner.

The Browns had some success attacking DTs Larry Webster, Lionel Dalton, and Martin Chase, who couldn't seem to keep MLB Ray Lewis uncovered to make plays. A big key for the Ravens on Sunday will be the play of their inside tandem, who must step up in place of injured Tony Siragusa.

Whether the Falcons go with Chandler or Tony Graziani at quarterback, the Ravens' defense will prepare the same either way. Baltimore's attacking defense will get after the quarterback, with DEs Michael McCrary and Rob Burnett applying relentless pressure off the edge.

Without a true deep threat, it's hard to imagine the Falcons getting much done through the air against the Ravens' gambling secondary. The team is encouraging young DCs Chris McAlister and Duane Starks to play a lot of press coverage at the line of scrimmage, and SS Rod Woodson provides great over-the-top help.

The key matchup for both sides will be Atlanta TE O.J. Santiago vs. Baltimore OLB Jamie Sharper. Sharper, who is off to the best start of his career, uses his hands extremely well, which is a key against a big, athletic tight end like Santiago.

Special teams

	NFL RANK
	Category	ATL	BAL
	Punt return avg.	10	4
	Kickoff return avg.	3	17
	Opp. punt return avg.	16	3
	Opp. kickoff ret. avg.	17	30
	Time of possession	27	26

When Jamal Anderson went down, the team signed former Panthers RB Winslow Oliver for added depth in the backfield. But his contributions on special teams are what the team is truly looking for.

RS Tim Dwight's increased role on offense and a sore hamstring have contributed to his struggles on returns after a strong rookie year. Look for Oliver, who has averaged more than 24 yards on six kickoff returns, to supplant Dwight on punts as well as kicks.

The Falcons' kicking game is suffering through a horrible slump. PK Morten Anderson has inexplicably missed all three of his field goal attempts, and P Dan Stryzinski's longest punt thus far has been 49 yards.

Baltimore KOR Cory Harris continues to be among the league leaders with a 27.0 average, while PR Jermaine Lewis (9.9 avg.) has been far too indecisive. P Kyle Richardson is concentrating more on his accuracy and still continues to boom his punts. PK Matt Stover has connected on all four of his attempts from inside 50 yards but he is 0-for-2 from beyond that mark.

Key matchups