- Ravens CBs vs. WR Roddy White
Who knows who the Ravens will put on Falcons wide receiver Roddy White? Chris Carr has been a starter all season and Josh Wilson, Fabian Washington and Lardarius Webb have all seen time opposite him. Whomever it is, they’ll have their hands full.White, a two-time Pro Bowler, is second in the NFL in receptions (58) and receiving yards (796). He is listed as “questionable” for Thursday’s game, although he and Atlanta Head Coach Mike Smith indicated that he will play.“He’s just spectacular,” Head Coach John Harbaugh said of White. “I’m very impressed with the fact that he’s a threat to the field in both directions. He can stretch it horizontally coming across the field. He can stretch it vertically.”
- ILB Ray Lewis vs. RB Michael Turner
The Ravens are 13th in the league in run defense (104.8 yards per game) and “The Burner” is eighth in the NFL with 694 rushing yards. Turner has power and speed and the Falcons are a team that sticks to the run. So expect Lewis and Turner to be banging helmets for four quarters. - QB Joe Flacco vs. Falcons Secondary
Flacco needs to be wary of throwing interceptions. He’s done a good job since Cincinnati, throwing one in his last six games, but the Falcons are second in the NFL with 13 picks. The tricky part is, Atlanta has 10 different players with an interception. Second-year safety William Moore leads Atlanta with three. - S Dawan Landry vs. TE Tony Gonzalez
Gonzalez is a master at opening up the mid- to deep-middle of the field. The NFL’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns is second on the Falcons with 37 receptions this season. Landry must be careful not to let the crafty veteran slip behind him and Baltimore’s linebackers, such as Tavares Gooden, will also be called on. - RB Ray Rice vs. MLB Curtis Lofton
Lofton is the Falcon’s leading tackler. Last year, he finished tied for sixth in tackles (just behind Ray Lewis) in the NFL. Lofton has good speed and will likely try to be in Rice’s pocket after the Falcons saw what the shifty running back did to Miami. Whether Rice can shake Lofton will be key to the Ravens’ short passing attack.
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Matchups To Watch: Ravens CBs vs. Roddy White
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