FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Fans have gotten to know Matt Ryan the quarterback pretty well over the last seven games. He's shown all the tools necessary to succeed in the NFL, an almost telepathic connection with wide receiver Roddy White and the icy composure needed to lead a team to victory in the last 11 seconds of a game.
Now it's time to get to know Matt Ryan the team leader.
The Birds (4-3) suffered a heart-breaking loss last week at Philadelphia and must look to rebound this week on a 2,500-mile road trip to play in the unfriendly confines of Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. A victory there over the 2-5 Raiders and the Falcons stay in the hunt in the highly-competitive in NFC South.
"It's going to be a tough environment to go into," Ryan said. "It's obviously a storied place in the NFL so it's going to be a challenge for us and be a fun game on Sunday. Their defense is good. They do a good job up front. They've got some play makers and can rush the passer. In the secondary they have a lot of talented corners that can make some plays and play a lot of man coverage."
Ryan took some advice this week on Raiders interception-leader and former Falcon DeAngelo Hall but said he'll also trust his eyes, and gut, when playing the Silver and Black for the first time.
The Raiders, of course, have an equally strong desire to win for interim head coach Tom Cable.
"You expect them to come out fired up," running back Michael Turner said. " They're at home and maybe trying to get some things going. They're not totally out of the picture in the AFC West."
GROUND ATTACK: Ryan may be the vocal leader on the offense snap-to-snap but a successful run game powered by Turner and Jerious Norwood can pay dividends on what could be a rainy day in Oakland. Both teams found an early identity in the run and rank in the NFL's top 10 in the category but both have also struggled in recent weeks.
The Falcons have rushed for less than 100 yards in each of the last two games.
"We just have to not accept the fact that teams are going to stop the run," Turner said. "We just have to have the attitude that we're going to run the football no matter what."
The Raiders carry the same attitude and do most of their offensive damage on the ground. In a statistical anomaly the Raiders rank seventh in the NFL on the ground but 30th in total offense. Oakland is the only team in the NFL with less than 100 pass completions but three running backs (Darren McFadden, Justin Fargas and Michael Bush) each have 50 or more carries.
Second-year quarterback JaMarcus Russell, a No. 1 overall pick, has the arm strength to succeed in the deep passing game but has found a favorite target over the middle to his tight end, Zach Miller. He leads the team with 20 receptions for 312 yards.
“JaMarcus is getting better and better every game," Head Coach Mike Smith said. "His first start was actually against Jacksonville when I was there last year. I have had a chance to gauge him. I think he has improved immensely from where he was last year. He is going to continue to get better.”
It's the Raiders defense that has come under fire of late, though, allowing an average of 362 yards per game. Four Raiders defensive players were listed on the injury report this week, including starting safety Gibril Wilson and starting defensive end Derrick Burgess.
SHUFFLING THE CARDS: With Sam Baker recovering from back surgery and not making the trip to Oakland the Falcons are expected to start 11-year veteran Todd Weiner at left tackle.
Weiner has stepped in for Baker multiple times this season, including two starts. But, the potential multi-week absence of Baker makes the position a focal point heading into Sunday's game.
“Well, anytime that you are going to miss a player, it’s tough," Smith said. "This time of the season, there are a lot of teams that are not playing at full strength. We will have our guys that are playing in the backup roles increase their role. We always talk about it as a team that one man’s misfortune is another man’s opportunity. It is going to be an opportunity for someone to step up and play.”
Ryan expressed confidence in everyone on his offensive line including reserve tackle Quinn Ojinnaka, who finished the game for an injured Weiner last week, and recently-signed Wayne Gandy.
"We've got a bunch of guys who have played a lot of ball in their past and guys that can go out there and make plays," Ryan said. "I have a ton of confidence in anybody on this team who's going to step in and play because everyone works hard through the week and is going to step in and play the best they can."
Defensive end Jamaal Anderson was limited in practice this week after suffering a concussion in Philadelphia.
More injury information from both teams is available on the Saint Joseph's Injury Report.
THE SKINNY: Both the Raiders and Falcons can run the ball effectively so the game may hinge on getting turnovers or stopping the run.
The Falcons defense has played well in the first half of games but stumbled in the second half. Twice the team has allowed big runs for touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
"We come out fresh," defensive end John Abraham said when asked about the defense's second-half slowdowns. "In the fourth quarter I don't know if we're relaxed or just fall off a little bit. It's been that way almost every week. If you watch us the first (or) second quarter, pretty much heading into halftime. The third quarter always seem like we come out a little shaky... We just have to learn how to sustain."
NUMBERS, NOTES AND COLORS: Some digits, info and hues to get you ready for Sunday's game against the Raiders...
- The Falcons will wear white jerseys Sunday against the Raiders.
- Atlanta has won only once on the road against the Raiders (1991) and that game was in Los Angeles.
- Defensive tackle Grady Jackson was drafted by the Raiders in 1997.
- Raiders interim head coach Tom Cable coached the Falcons offensive line in 2006.
- Ryan recently became the only player in Falcons history to win NFC Rookie of the Month.
- The forecast calls for rain Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Oakland with a high on game day of 64 degrees.
- Turner has not fumbled in 199 straight carries.
- Kicker Jason Elam has converted on 12-straight field goals from 40-49 yards.
- Atlanta ranks 10th in the NFL in total offense (third in rushing).
- The Falcons are 3-0 this season when scoring on the first drive of the game.
MORE FALCONS-RAIDERS COVERAGE:
- SCOUTING REPORT: Falcons on mission to get back in win column
- FALCONCAST: J. Mike and Matt preview the Falcons-Raiders game | Fantasy Football
- PREVIEW PACK: Click here for more game information (PDF)
- RELEASE: Ryan named NFC Rookie of the Month
- NEWS: Baker's back surgery a success
- J. MIKE'S MISSIVES: Former Broncos recall trips to Black Hole
- ASK THE COACH: Assistant offensive line coach Paul Dunn talks with Alex Stepanovich
- NOTEBOOK: Veteran Gandy happy to be back in Falcons locker room
- TRANSCRIPT: Head Coach Mike Smith | Video
- FOE AUDIO: Tom Cable | DeAngelo Hall
- SAM BAKER: Baker to undergo "minor surgery" on hip, back
- VIDEO: Matt Ryan | Michael Turner | Grady Jackson | Todd McClure | Wayne Gandy
- INJURY REPORT: Raiders and Falcons injury news from Saint Joseph's Hospital
- FROM THE TRAINING ROOM: Team doctors discuss common injuries
- COMMUNITY: Elam joins second-grade student at school
- J. MIKE'S MISSIVES: Baker will not travel to Oakland | Birdseed
