Can Tyler Huntley Lead the Ravens Past Atlanta Without Lamar Jackson?

The Baltimore Ravens may have a much bigger problem than simply trying to beat the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night.

They may have to figure out how to win without Lamar Jackson.

That is a completely different challenge.

Jackson suffered a left ankle injury during Baltimore's 24-18 victory over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, and the latest reports indicate he has only an outside chance of playing against Atlanta. Ravens head coach Jesse Minter has expressed optimism that the injury is not a long-term problem, but the Ravens clearly have to consider the bigger picture.

And honestly, Baltimore should be extremely cautious.

There is no reason to take a compromised Lamar Jackson into a Week 5 game if the alternative is risking a more serious injury that could cost him multiple weeks.

The question now becomes simple:

Can Tyler Huntley beat the Falcons?

My answer is yes.

But Baltimore is going to have to play Ravens football.

Huntley Doesn't Have to Be Lamar

Let's get one thing straight.

Tyler Huntley does not have to replace Lamar Jackson.

He can't.

Nobody is asking Huntley to throw for 300 yards, run for 80 yards and make the spectacular plays that have become normal when Jackson is healthy.

Huntley simply needs to operate the offense, protect the football and make enough plays when opportunities present themselves.

That's a much more realistic expectation.

Huntley already got meaningful work against Tennessee after Jackson left. He completed 8 of 9 passes for 63 yards and added 16 rushing yards on four attempts. The Ravens did not score in the second half, but Huntley also wasn't asked to completely take over the game.

That performance tells us something.

Huntley can function in this offense.

But Atlanta is a completely different challenge.

The Falcons aren't the winless Titans.

Atlanta is 2-2, has won two straight games and just demolished New Orleans 45-24 on Monday night. The Falcons are entering this matchup with confidence, momentum and a running game that should concern Baltimore.

This isn't the kind of game where Huntley can turn the ball over twice and expect Baltimore's defense to bail him out.

The Falcons Are Legitimately Dangerous

The Falcons are starting to look like the team many people thought they could become.

Michael Penix Jr. is back healthy and playing well.

Bijan Robinson is running like one of the best backs in football.

And Atlanta's offensive line is giving its playmakers opportunities.

Robinson just destroyed the Saints for 145 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries, including a 59-yard touchdown run. Brian Robinson Jr. added 62 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Atlanta controlled the game from beginning to end.

That's the biggest concern for Baltimore.

The Ravens cannot afford to get into a shootout with Atlanta if Huntley is the quarterback.

If this turns into a 34-31 game where Huntley has to throw 40 times, Baltimore is probably in trouble.

But if the Ravens can turn this into a physical, low-scoring game?

Now we're talking.

Derrick Henry Has to Be the Answer

This is where Derrick Henry becomes even more important.

The Ravens have to lean on Henry.

Not because Huntley can't throw the football, but because Baltimore needs to control the tempo.

Henry has 374 rushing yards and seven touchdowns through four games. He has already demonstrated that he can carry the offense when Baltimore needs a physical presence.

The problem is that Henry struggled against Tennessee, producing only 73 yards on 23 carries.

That cannot happen again.

Baltimore needs Henry to get downhill.

It needs the offensive line to establish the line of scrimmage.

It needs play-action opportunities.

And it needs Huntley to make Atlanta pay when the Falcons start bringing extra defenders into the box.

The Ravens shouldn't abandon the passing game.

They should simplify it.

Quick throws.

Screens.

Bootlegs.

Play-action.

Intermediate throws to Mark Andrews.

Shots to Zay Flowers.

Give Huntley easy completions early and allow him to settle into the game.

The worst thing Baltimore can do is put Huntley in obvious passing situations all night.

Zay Flowers Could Be the X-Factor

If Lamar doesn't play, Zay Flowers becomes even more important.

Flowers has been outstanding through four games, leading Baltimore with 352 receiving yards and averaging an explosive 19.6 yards per reception. He also has two touchdowns.

Against Tennessee, Flowers caught eight passes for 118 yards and a touchdown.

That's exactly the type of weapon Huntley needs.

Flowers can take a short throw and turn it into a big play.

He can win underneath.

He can stretch the field.

And most importantly, he can give Huntley a reliable target who doesn't require Huntley to hold the football forever.

Mark Andrews is also going to become extremely important.

With Durham Smythe out for the season, Baltimore is already dealing with injuries and uncertainty at tight end. Matthew Hibner has shown flashes, but Andrews is still the veteran who should become Huntley's safety blanket.

If Baltimore gets into third-and-7 situations all night, however, that's a problem.

The Ravens need manageable downs.

The Defense Has to Win This Game

If Huntley starts, this is a game where Baltimore's defense has to take over.

Fortunately, the defense has shown flashes of becoming exactly that type of unit.

Through four games, Baltimore's defense ranks 10th in the NFL in total yards allowed at 315.2 per game. Atlanta is actually eighth at 313 yards allowed per game, meaning neither defense has been terrible statistically.

But Baltimore has something Atlanta doesn't have:

A defense built around speed, physicality and multiple veteran playmakers.

Trenton Simpson is coming off a nine-tackle performance and an interception against Tennessee.

Mike Green has been generating pressure.

Roquan Smith remains the centerpiece of the defense.

Kyle Hamilton gives Jesse Minter tremendous versatility.

And if Baltimore can get pressure on Penix without constantly blitzing, that could change the entire game.

Because Penix is talented.

He can make throws down the field.

He can attack outside the numbers.

He can punish a defense that loses coverage.

But Baltimore has to make him uncomfortable.

Stop Bijan Robinson

This might be the single biggest matchup of the game.

Baltimore has to stop Bijan Robinson.

Period.

Robinson already has 494 rushing yards on 85 carries this season, averaging 5.8 yards per attempt. He's also caught 14 passes for 120 yards.

That's not just a running back.

That's an offensive centerpiece.

And Atlanta can use him in multiple ways.

If Baltimore allows Robinson to get into the second level consistently, the Ravens could be in trouble.

It would force Minter to bring additional defenders into the box.

That creates opportunities for Penix.

Then Drake London becomes a problem.

Kyle Pitts becomes a problem.

And suddenly Baltimore's defense is reacting instead of dictating.

The Ravens need to force Atlanta to become one-dimensional.

Make Penix beat them.

Don't let Robinson control the game.

The Falcons Are Playing Their Best Football

This is what makes the matchup so difficult.

Atlanta isn't coming into this game struggling.

The Falcons have won two straight games, including a 35-14 demolition of Green Bay and a 45-24 victory over New Orleans.

Penix returned against Green Bay and has looked increasingly comfortable.

In Atlanta's four games, he has completed 18 of 25 passes for 256 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He has a 101.4 passer rating.

And that's only part of the story.

The Falcons are getting production from their running game.

They're getting explosive plays.

They're playing with confidence.

And they're at home.

That's why this is not simply a question of whether Huntley can play.

It's whether Baltimore can control the entire game around him.

Can Huntley "Roll Over" Atlanta?

No.

I'm not expecting Tyler Huntley to walk into Atlanta and roll over the Falcons.

But I absolutely believe he can beat them.

There's a difference.

Huntley has experience in Baltimore's system. He has started 11 games for the Ravens previously and has a 5-6 record in those starts.

That experience matters.

He isn't some rookie quarterback seeing NFL defenses for the first time.

He understands the terminology.

He understands the expectations.

He knows the players around him.

And Baltimore knows exactly what it can and cannot ask him to do.

That's important.

The Ravens don't need Huntley to become Lamar Jackson.

They need him to become Tyler Huntley with discipline.

No unnecessary turnovers.

No trying to make the spectacular play.

No forcing throws into coverage.

Take the checkdown.

Take the five-yard completion.

Run when the lane is there.

Keep the offense on schedule.

And let Henry and the defense do their jobs.

The Biggest Concern: Baltimore's Injuries

There is another problem.

The Ravens aren't exactly healthy.

Andrew Vorhees left the Tennessee game with a foot injury.

Marlon Humphrey left with a calf injury.

Durham Smythe is already out for the season.

The offensive line has been dealing with injuries and constant lineup changes.

And Baltimore has already lost multiple centers this season.

That's a lot of instability.

If the Ravens lose more offensive linemen or another key player before Sunday, the Huntley equation becomes much more difficult.

A backup quarterback behind a shaky offensive line against an aggressive defense is not a recipe for success.

That's why the Ravens have to protect Huntley.

Baltimore's Winning Formula

If I'm Jesse Minter, the game plan is simple.

First: Run Derrick Henry.

Don't get cute.

Establish the run.

Make Atlanta tackle.

Make the Falcons respect play-action.

Second: Get Zay Flowers involved immediately.

Don't wait until the second half.

Give Huntley quick throws to Flowers and Andrews.

Let him get comfortable.

Third: Protect the football.

This cannot be a turnover game.

Fourth: Make Penix beat you.

Stop Bijan.

Force Atlanta to throw.

Then let Minter's defense attack.

Fifth: Win special teams.

Field position becomes enormous when you're playing with a backup quarterback.

Tyler Loop could become one of the most important players on the field.

And after his 64-yard field goal against Tennessee, Baltimore knows he has the leg to change field position and scoreboard math.

So, Can Baltimore Win?

Absolutely.

But I'm not going to pretend it's a 50-50 proposition.

The Falcons are currently three-point home favorites, and that's understandable considering their recent surge and the uncertainty surrounding Jackson.

Baltimore is 3-1.

Atlanta is 2-2.

The Ravens are averaging 29 points per game and 395 yards per game through four games, while Atlanta is averaging 24 points and 360.5 yards.

On paper, Baltimore is still the better overall team.

But Lamar Jackson is the great equalizer.

Take him away and suddenly the margin gets much smaller.

That's why I think this game comes down to the fourth quarter.

If Huntley is asked to win the game with his arm late, I don't like Baltimore's chances.

If the Ravens enter the fourth quarter tied or leading, however, I like their chances considerably more.

Give Henry the football.

Let the defense hunt.

Make Atlanta drive the field.

Make Penix make the final throw.

That's Ravens football.

My Prediction

If Lamar Jackson doesn't play, I think Baltimore can win—but it will be an ugly, physical game.

I'm predicting something like:

Ravens 23, Falcons 20.

Huntley doesn't need to throw for 300 yards.

He needs something closer to 200 efficient yards, no turnovers and a few key third-down conversions.

Henry needs to be around 100 rushing yards.

Flowers needs another big game.

And Baltimore's defense needs to hold Atlanta under 24 points.

If those things happen, the Ravens can absolutely leave Atlanta with a victory.

But if Baltimore falls behind by two scores early?

That's where I become very concerned.

Huntley is not Lamar.

The Ravens cannot ask him to erase a 14-point deficit against this Atlanta team.

The formula is simple: run the football, protect Huntley, pressure Penix, stop Bijan and make this a fourth-quarter defensive battle.

And here's the bigger picture.

If Lamar's ankle isn't right, don't play him.

The Ravens are 3-1. They have Cleveland, Cincinnati and Buffalo coming up after Atlanta.

This is not the time to sacrifice the entire season for one October night.

If Huntley can steal this game?

Baltimore may have found out something extremely valuable.

It may have a backup quarterback capable of keeping the season alive when Lamar Jackson isn't available.

But asking Huntley to go into Atlanta and roll over a Falcons team that just put up 45 points on New Orleans?

That's asking too much.

Can he beat them? Yes.

Can he carry the Ravens by himself? Absolutely not.

And that is why Sunday night may tell us as much about Jesse Minter's Ravens as it does about Tyler Huntley.