The Atlanta Falcons are suffering through a three-game losing streak and now travel to take on the Baltimore Ravens, a team leading the AFC North with a 4-2 mark. Atlanta started off hot at 2-1 but has seen its good start dissipate with three starting offensive linemen out and the defense proving porous. Meanwhile, Baltimore has surged since dropping its season-opener at home to the Bengals, riding the play of Steve Smith and Joe Flacco.
Falcons vs. Ravens 2014 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Atlanta desperately needs a win while Baltimore simply tries to stay ahead in the AFC North.
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Falcons do have a few things going for them, mostly centering on a potent offense led by Matt Ryan, Roddy White and Julio Jones. Ryan has already thrown for 1,850 yards, ranking only behind Andrew Luck this season. Jones is also having a monster season, hauling in 44 receptions and a trio of touchdowns for 620 yards, putting him behind only Jordy Nelson and Antonio Brown in that category.
The problem for Atlanta has been everything else, including a defense which is better only than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with more than 419 yards allowed per game. Both areas of the unit have been awful, with the pass defense ranking No. 29 overall and the run defense checking in at No. 28.
Baltimore has enjoyed far more success in its seventh season under head coach John Harbaugh. After missing the playoffs last year for the first time since Harbaugh's arrival, the Ravens appear on track once again. One of their biggest additions was Steve Smith. Smith played 13 years for the Carolina Panthers before being released, and he has proven that move to be an error. The 35-year-old is fifth in the league with 573 yards receiving, and has four touchdown receptions.
The man benefiting most from Smith is Flacco, who is coming off a five-touchdown performance against the Buccaneers. Flacco has tossed 12 touchdowns this season, putting him well on a pace to eclipse his previous season-high of 25 back in 2010.
How to watch
Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Md.
When: 1 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
Announcers: Justin Kutcher, David Diehl, Laura Okmin
Online streaming: Verizon NFL Mobile | NFL Sunday Ticket
Odds
Baltimore is a 7.5-point favorite over Atlanta at home. The over/under has been set at 49.5, according to OddsShark.
Further Reading
For more on the Falcons, head over to The Falcoholic.
To keep up on the Ravens, check out Baltimore Beatdown.
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