ATLANTA. Lamar Jackson sat out with a sprained ankle. So the Baltimore Ravens leaned on a familiar backup and their workhorse running back. In the end, it was enough.
The Ravens beat the Atlanta Falcons 30-23 in overtime at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday Night Football. As a result, Baltimore improved to 4-1 and stayed in first place in the AFC North. Meanwhile, the Falcons fell to 2-3.
Huntley and Henry deliver in Ravens Falcons overtime win
Tyler Huntley made the start in Jackson’s place. He completed 24 of 32 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns. In addition, he threw no interceptions. He also ran six times for 20 yards and a touchdown.
Derrick Henry, meanwhile, carried the load on the ground. He finished with 102 yards on 24 carries. On top of that, he caught an 18-yard touchdown pass.
Still, Atlanta kept it close. Michael Penix Jr. threw for 240 yards and a touchdown. Drake London caught seven passes for 118 yards. Bijan Robinson also ran for 86 yards on 17 carries.
Lamar Jackson is trending the right way
Jackson got hurt in the Ravens’ 24-18 win over Tennessee the week before. Titans defensive end Jermaine Johnson II landed on his ankle on a sack. That happened on the final offensive play of the first half. Then, on Friday, the team ruled him out.
However, the news sounded better on Monday. Head coach Jesse Minter said his quarterback is “definitely doing better.” Even so, Minter wasn’t sure whether Jackson would practice Wednesday. He added that the team should know more “by the middle of the week.”
More help could arrive in Cleveland
Help could come elsewhere, too. First, outside linebacker Trey Hendrickson has missed two games with a finger injury. Second, wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane has been on injured reserve since a Week 1 wrist injury. Both could return for the Week 6 trip to Cleveland.
In addition, newly acquired center Cam Jurgens is in the final stages of the concussion protocol. As a result, he could make his Ravens debut against the Browns. Minter called Vega Ioane’s work at center “remarkable.” Once Jurgens is ready, Ioane will slide back to right guard.
Finally, not everything was clean in Atlanta. The Falcons converted 9 of 17 third downs. Minter calls the defense, so he took responsibility. He also called third down a point of emphasis this week.