Opponent: Oakland Raiders
Records: Atlanta, 5-0; Oakland, 1-3.
Where: Georgia Dome, Atlanta
Time: 1 p.m.
Point Spread (Danny Sheridan's odds as published in USA Today): Atlanta is favored by 10 with an over of 48 ½.
Key Offensive Match-up: The Falcons will go up against the league's 28th-ranked pass defense. As if the Raiders were struggling enough in that area, starting right cornerback Shawntae Spencer is inactive, as he will miss his fourth straight game with a foot injury. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is the NFL's No. 2 rated passer, as Atlanta owns the league's No. 7-ranked passing offense. As they have done all season, the Falcons ought to be able to exploit their opponent through their mix of passes to tight end Tony Gonzalez (whose 39 receptions are tops in the NFL) and wideouts Julio Jones and Roddy White.
Key Defensive Match-up: The Raiders have struggled to run the ball this season, as they rank last in the league at 60.8 yards per game. Nonetheless, in running back Darren McFadden, they still possess one of the league's best and most explosive runners. In addition, run defense has proved the Falcons' weakness this season, as they rank 27th in that department. Falcons head coach Mike Smith said during the week that he would examine personnel and scheme in regards to that shortcoming. Middle linebacker Akeem Dent, a first-year starter, has struggled somewhat, so it will be interesting to see if Smith sticks with him, even though his only option would be to replace Dent with 36-year-old Mike Peterson.
Inactives: For the Falcons: quarterback Dominique Davis, running back Antone Smith, cornerback Terrence Johnson, offensive tackle Lamar Holmes, defensive end Jonathan Massaquoi, tight end Michael Palmer, defensive end Cliff Matthews. For the Raiders: quarterback Terrelle Pryor, defensive back Shawntae Spencer, offensive lineman Khalif Barnes, offensive lineman Lucas Nix, tight end Richard Gordon, defensive lineman Jack Crawford, defensive lineman Christo Bilukidi.
