PLAYER OF THE GAME
Defensive end Jonathan Massaquoi was pivotal to the Falcons' improved defensive effort Sunday. The third-year player out of Troy recorded six tackles, four solo, one for loss and two QB hits as his defensive role continues to evolve in 2014.
Despite the improvement in overall defensive play, Massaquoi sees plenty of room for improvement as his two QB hits, he said, could have been sacks: "We got after the quarterback last week; we got after the quarterback today. As far as improvements: Make sure he doesn't throw it at the last second, make sure we get him on the ground."
PLAYS OF THE GAME
When the Falcons needed to sustain a drive, the Ravens front seven responded with loads of pressure. Quarterback Matt Ryan was sacked on third down twice in Sunday's game and once on fourth down, snuffing out chances to climb back into the game. Ryan was sacked five times in the game for minus-42 yards.
On the Falcons' side of things, two interceptions by Robert Alford proved to be key in containing the Ravens as both came in Falcons territory Sunday. The Falcons forced three turnovers Sunday but the offense did not capitalize on any of them by turning them into points.
TURNING POINT
The Falcons are on the road in the Charm City to take on the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
CB Robert Alford intercepts the ball in the endzone.
QB Matt Ryan pumps up the Falcons
RB Devonta Freeman runs the ball
QB Matt Ryan drops back for a pass.
RB Antone Smith
QB Matt Ryan stands on the sidelines during the National Anthem
RB Devonta Freeman runs the ball
P Matt Bosher reacts to a play
WR Roddy White
T Ryan Schraeder
TE Levine Toilolo
WR Roddy White
RB Steven Jackson
WR Julio Jones shakes off a tackle after a reception.
CB Robert Alford intercepts the ball
WR Julio Jones
WR Julio Jones waits on the line
RB Jacquizz Rodgers makes a block
QB Matt Ryan drops back for a pass
CB Robert Alford after making an interception
LB Paul Worrilow
Atlanta Falcons defensive line
DE Osi Umenyiora
WR Julio Jones pushes off a tackle
DE Jonathan Massaquoi tackles Ravens QB Joe Flacco
DE Kroy Biermann and LB Paul Worrilow combine to make a tackle
WR Julio Jones makes a catch
TE Levine Toilolo blocks on the line
CB Robert Alford in coverage before making an interception.
QB Matt Ryan drops back to make a pass.
Terry Robiskie, assistant head coach/wide receivers coach, works with WR Julio Jones
Wide Receiver Coach Terry Robiskie
DE Jonathan Massaquoi and T Jake Matthews
LB Paul Worrilow leaps over the line for a tackle.
Atlanta Falcons offensive line approaches the line of scrimmage
QB Matt Ryan hands off the football
RB Devonta Freeman runs the ball
WR Julio Jones dives for yards
DE Jonathan Massaquoi makes a tackle
RB Steven Jackson runs the ball
DE Malliciah Goodman gets physical
DT Corey Peters goes up against Ravens G/T Rick Wagner
DE Malliciah Goodman eyes the Ravens
FB Patrick DiMarco about to block
RB Jacquizz Rodgers shakes off a tackle
S Dezmen Southward
DE Tyson Jackson on the line
LB Tyler Starr
QB Matt Ryan drops back to make a pass
CB Robert Alford celebrates his interception with teammates
S Dezmen Southward
TE Levine Toilolo
WR Roddy White and WR Julio Jones
DE Kroy Biermann
WR Julio Jones runs with the ball
QB Matt Ryan
WR Julio Jones
T Jake Matthews on the line protecting the quarterback
GM Thomas Dimitroff
P Matt Bosher reacts to a play
Bryan Cox, defensive line coach
Mike Tice, offensive line coach
DE Jonathan Massaquoi
WR Roddy White
LB Tyler Starr
A key moment came right before the end of the second quarter with the Ravens up 14-0 and the Falcons punting with less than a minute left. Bosher's punt was muffed by Baltimore returner Jacoby Jones and recovered by Eric Weems. At Baltimore's 37-yard line, Ryan had 59 seconds to work with but a sack on first down put the Falcons in a second-and-18 hole. It would end up with a 57-yard field goal attempt by Matt Bryant into the wind that just clanked off the crossbar to be no-good.
INJURY REPORT
As if the Falcons needed any more injury issues, especially along the offensive line, they got hit with another Sunday when center Peter Konz went down with a knee injury in the first quarter. Konz and Matt Ryan were continuing to develop their relationship after Joe Hawley was lost for the season just a few weeks ago.
Into the game came undrafted rookie James Stone, out of Tennessee, who quietly had an impressive training camp. Stone, wearing a familiar number at the center position — No. 62, which formerly belonged to longtime center Todd McClure — had seen time in two games previously this season and finished the rest of the way.
EXTRA POINTS
Ryan was hit and fumbled in the first quarter and that counted as the Falcons' first turnover of the game, extending the streak of games with at least one turnover to 21. The Falcons are 6-15 over during that stretch. … WR Roddy White moved into sole possession of the Falcons' touchdown receptions record with his 58th in the fourth quarter Sunday. He surpassed Terance Mathis. … The Falcons have gone three-and-out on offensive drives 19 times this season, including five times Sunday. All five of those came in the first half.
NOTABLE QUOTABLE
"Like I've been saying for the past month: When (the defensive front) gets pressure, it helps us. When we cover tight, it allows them time to get to the quarterback, so we're coming together. But we've just got to find a way to win. At the end of the day, it's about winning, and that's what we've gotta do." - Cornerback Desmond Trufant
