The Baltimore Ravens face a massive problem this Sunday night. They have to stop Bijan Robinson, and they cannot rely on their biggest star to do it alone. If Baltimore can use Trey Hendrickson, the Falcons will exploit his recent surgery to run all over the middle of the field.
The Danger of the Robinson Run Game
The Falcons possess the best rushing attack in the league right now. According to Yahoo Sports, Robinson is already second in the NFL in rushing yards with 494. He is also third in yards per carry at 5.8. He has 4 touchdown runs so far this season. This isn’t just a good stat line; it is a nightmare for a defense trying to find its footing.
The Ravens have to find a way to slow this down. If they let Robinson dictate the pace, the game will slip away early. The Falcons are playing much better than anyone expected. CBS Sports’ Zachary Pereles awarded a B+ grade to the squad for its opening four contests. They look like the most complete team in the NFC South.
Protecting the $30M Edge Rusher
The real issue for Baltimore is how they use Trey Hendrickson. According to Jason La Canfora on SI, the Ravens need to be careful with their $30M edge rusher. Hendrickson is coming back from finger surgery. He has only recorded 4 tackles and 1 sack in three games this season. He is not the same player he was before that injury.
It was reported that Hendrickson is not good against the run right now. He noted that the Falcons can attack him on early downs using their outside zone plays. I agree with this assessment. You do not burn your most expensive defender by making him the primary target in run gaps. The Ravens need to lean on big bodies like Zion Young and Tavius Robinson to anchor the edge instead.
To achieve genuine impact, the Ravens must rely on players such as Broderick Washington. The return of former Falcon Calais Campbell to Atlanta might even help push the Baltimore defense to play harder.
