All News & Analysis

PFF Preview: Falcons @ Ravens, Week 7

2014-Prev-WK07-ATL@BALAs the Baltimore Ravens (4-2) have won four of their last five games, they look to build on an impressive record as they welcome the Atlanta Falcons (2-4) to town, having dropped three games in a row.

As the great debate continues, Joe Flacco or Matt Ryan, I’ll leave that argument for another day. How about a matchup that features two studs on opposite sides of the ball? Julio Jones and Jimmy Smith entered the league together in 2011 and have proven to be premier players at their respective positions. Although Smith may matchup against Roddy White at certain times, it’s likely he will spend most of the game lined up across from Julio Jones, who has become Ryan’s favorite target — Jones seeing a team-high 66 targets, second-most of any wide receiver in the league.

Jones has caught 66.7% of those targets, or 44 receptions, which is first in the NFL. Obviously, it’s no secret he's one of the top receivers in the league and is capable of big plays, as we’ve seen time and time again. Matt Ryan knows this, hence targeting Jones 17 times in the deep passing game (20+ yards), second only to Jeremy Maclin. Of those 17 targets, Jones has caught eight (tied for first) of nine balls that were deemed catchable, having only dropped one.

Needles to say, Jimmy Smith is faced with one of his toughest tasks of the season, but he is more than capable of getting the job done. Smith has been one of the league's best cornerbacks this season, earning a coverage grade of +6.2. Despite playing 231 snaps in coverage (sixth most), he has only been targeted 34 times, letting up just 18 receptions and limiting opposing quarterbacks to a rating of 50.5. Additionally, Smith has limited receivers to just 39 yards after the catch and has missed only one tackle when in coverage, a Tackle Efficiency of 22.0. He’ll try to do the same to Jones who has racked up 175 yards after the catch.

Here are three more notable numbers for each side:

Atlanta Falcons

Antone Smith – Smith is making his case to receive more touches, as he has earned an overall grade of +5.2, second only to Matt Ryan.

Matt Ryan – With a Quarterback Accuracy Percentage of 75.6, Ryan ranks in the Top 15.

Jonathan Massaquoi – the 14.3 pass rushing productivity score of Massaquoi is third highest of all 3-4 outside linebackers

Baltimore Ravens

C.J. Mosley – Mosley’s play is grabbing the attention of quite a few people around the league, respectively so. Mosley has been stout against the run, earning a Run Stop Percentage of 13.7%, ranking among the Top 5 for inside linebackers.

John Urschel – The rookie made his first career start last week and played well. He earned an overall grade of +0.9 and produced a PBE of 97.4, the same PBE Marshal Yanda earned last week.

Joe Flacco – Flacco seems to be exceling in Gary Kubiak system and currently owns the 5th-best PFF Quarterback Rating (95.83).

Recently at PFF

Analysis Notebook: Week 6
Race for Rookie of the Year, Week 6
ReFo: Bears @ Falcons, Week 6
ReFo: Ravens @ Buccaneers, Week 6

 

All Featured Tools

Subscriptions

Unlock the 2023 Fantasy Draft Kit, with League Sync, Live Draft Assistant, PFF Grades & Data Platform that powers all 32 Pro Teams

$31 Draft Kit Fee + $8.99/mo
OR
$89.88/yr + FREE Draft Kit