Falcons Must Stop Henry To Survive Sunday Night Showdown

The Lamar Jackson era takes a back seat this Sunday night, and the Atlanta Falcons have a massive chance to prove their dominance. With the Ravens’ star quarterback ruled out due to an ankle injury, the spotlight shifts entirely to Tyler Huntley leading the offense. This is not a soft matchup for Atlanta, but it is the perfect stage for their defense to shine. The Falcons enter this game riding high after a recent blowout of the New Orleans Saints, and they need to keep that momentum rolling against a Baltimore team that is suddenly vulnerable.

Derrick Henry is a force of nature, and stopping him must be the number one priority for the Atlanta defense. Through four games, the Ravens’ running back has accumulated 374 yards and seven touchdowns on 89 carries, averaging 4.2 yards per attempt. That kind of production can wear down any defense if left unchecked. With just 2.7 yards allowed per carry through four weeks, the Falcons boast the top run defense in the NFL. Sports Illustrated states that Atlanta must treat Henry as a collective effort, slowing his momentum with the first defender while teammates rally to finish the tackle. If the Falcons can force Baltimore into third-and-long situations, they take the pressure off their own offense and let their pass rush do the work.

Oct 5, 2026; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

While the defense holds the line, the offense needs to keep the chains moving with its dynamic backfield. Bijan Robinson has been a monster, recording 494 rushing yards and four touchdowns while Brian Robinson Jr. adds 194 yards and four more scores. Bijan has been especially impressive in primetime, rushing for 194 yards against Green Bay and 145 yards against New Orleans. Robinson, who has crushed opposing defenses so far this season, forces the Ravens to devise specific schemes. Having both backs involved makes Atlanta harder to defend and prevents Baltimore from focusing solely on one player. The Falcons must establish the run early to keep the Ravens’ defense on the field and limit their opportunities.

Without Jackson, the Ravens offense might struggle to find its rhythm against a hot Atlanta defense. Derrick Henry and Tyler Huntley must execute a run-heavy strategy for the ball to advance. The pass game should be kept simple with quick, easy first-read throw options to avoid turnovers. Scoring beyond 17 points is essential for the Ravens to beat this Atlanta squad. If Huntley cannot protect the ball and the run game stalls, the Falcons will control the clock and keep Baltimore’s offense off the field. The keys are clear: stop Henry, feed Bijan, and force the Ravens to beat them with the air attack they cannot sustain.