National Football League

Bird is the Word: In depth with Falcons' foes, the Baltimore Ravens

Published Oct. 16, 2014 6:32 p.m. ET

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The Atlanta Falcons travel to Baltimore on Sunday for some Week 7 action against the Ravens. This is definitely a story of two teams headed in different directions.

The Ravens are coming off a 48-17 beatdown of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and have won four of their last five games. The Falcons have dropped three games in a row, and have been scoring fewer and fewer points in each game since they demolished the Bucs 56-14.

In this version of "Bird is the Word," FOX Sports South writer Knox Bardeen talked with Jason Butt, who is with SB Nation and has been covering the NFL for six seasons, and has been on the Ravens beat for three.

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These two quarterbacks will forever be linked because both were members of the 2008 draft class. Matt Ryan was taken third overall, with Joe Flacco landing in Baltimore 15 picks later at No. 18. Ryan has thrown for more yards, has a better completion percentage and has connected on more touchdown throws in his career. Flacco owns a Super Bowl ring.

Which is the better quarterback?

Is Justin Forsett the man for the Ravens, or is Baltimore still using a running back by committee approach?

Steve Smith has 91 career receptions against the Falcons for 1,279 yards and five touchdowns. At 35, does he still have enough in the tank to punish Atlanta? If not Smith, or Forsett, who can be Baltimore's big-play guy if Atlanta's defense breaks down?

How can Atlanta's front seven attack Baltimore's offensive line?

The Ravens recorded five sacks and 15 quarterback hits last Sunday. Was that an anomaly, or is this Ravens pass-rush that good?

Bird is the Word: In depth with Falcons' foes, the Baltimore Ravens by Fox Sports South Podcasts on Mixcloud