Ravens vs. Falcons: NFL Pick

By: Jordan Sharp

The battle of the birds is set to kick off next week, as several teams have preseason games on Thursday of next week. Find out where we are placing our NFL picks in the preseason matchup between the Falcons and the Ravens.

The Ravens and Falcons haven’t met in the regular season sine 2010, and since this game is in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, it will give both teams an opportunity to test their offenses on the turf. 

The NFL Odds are typical for the preseason, as the line is only as high as -3 in favor of the home Falcons, but you can also get it -1, and anywhere in between. Both teams have established cores on offense and defense; so don’t expect the starters to play more than a few series. However, both teams have some guys who are still in try-out mode, and this will ultimately decide who wins and who loses. 

 Sour taste 

Remember warheads? They were and still are one of the most intense candies I’ve ever tried. They start out with an almost too intense burst of sour flavor, and if you can stand that awful sensation in your mouth for several minutes, it finally becomes sweet. That sensation is probably what the Ravens have been feeling for the last six months, just without the sweet relief. 

With only 11 seconds remaining in the AFC Title game, Billy Cundiff had a 32-yard chip shot to seemingly send the game into overtime. However, Cundiff shanked the field goal attempt to send the Patriots to the Super Bowl. The Ravens even outplayed the Pats in that game. Plus, Joe Flacco outplayed Tom Brady! Imagine the sourest warhead you’ve ever eaten.

Something to prove 

It’s been rough for the Atlanta Falcons lately. They have gotten a lot of criticism over their play. They have one of the most talented offenses in the NFC. They have two problems. The first is the Saints, but they can’t do anything about that. Their second, more glaring problem is their inability to win in the postseason. Under Matt Ryan, the Falcons are 0-3 in the postseason in his four seasons, and he is starting to feel the pressure. 

The Falcons did lose to the eventual Super Bowl champs last season in the playoffs, but I don’t think that’s much of an excuse when you lose 24-2. Matt Ryan was 24-41 in that game with 199 yards and no touchdowns. The Falcons didn’t play well as a team, so I don’t put it all on Ryan. However, in his career, Ryan has never thrown for more than 199 yards in a playoff game, and has 3 touchdowns and 4 interceptions total in the playoffs. 

The Sharp Pick 

Playoff blunders aside, this is the preseason; I’m getting way ahead of myself. However, both of these teams should be anxious to get back on the field, and prove to themselves and others that they are still very good football teams. Both of these clubs are in the top half of the league in Super Bowl future odds.

For this game, I like the Falcons for two reasons. One, they are at home. That was easy enough. Secondly, and more importantly, they have a lot more depth than the Ravens. Baltimore is a great team, but those great players won’t be on the field longer than a few minutes, if at all. The Falcons on the other hand have several young offensive players they need to take a look at. Plus, the Ravens backup is Curtis Painter. Remember him? The Falcons backup quarterback is veteran Chris Redman. Give me the veteran every time. I’m using the nice line from 5Dimes for my NFL picks.

My Pick: Falcons -1 ---