Upon Further Review: Ravens 29, Falcons 7

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 GAMEWhen 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 POINTA 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 POINTSRyan 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

Upon Further Review: Ravens 29, Falcons 7

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