The Atlanta Falcons host the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football, with Week 5 of the 2026 NFL season presenting a major challenge for a Baltimore team that has won three of its first four games but must now manage without Lamar Jackson.
Baltimore has made an encouraging start to the 2026 campaign under new head coach Jesse Minter, winning three of its opening four games to establish itself among the early contenders in the AFC North.
The Ravens enter Sunday’s contest on a winning streak of two games, having followed a victory over the Cincinnati Bengals with a 24-18 success against the Tennessee Titans in Week 4. That latest win came at a considerable cost.
Jackson suffered an ankle injury during the first half against Tennessee and was unable to return after the interval, leaving backup Tyler Huntley to guide Baltimore through the remainder of the contest. The quarterback, who has won NFL MVP honors twice, has thrown for 967 yards and six touchdowns, completing 70.8% of his passes while averaging 10.1 yards per attempt, the best mark in the league.
The Falcons, meanwhile, have recovered from an inconsistent opening fortnight to move back to .500. Atlanta has won two of its opening four matches and enters Sunday’s game following a commanding 45-24 victory over NFC South rivals the New Orleans Saints.
That performance continued a remarkable offensive improvement since Michael Penix Jr. returned to the starting lineup. The Falcons have averaged 40 points per game with Penix, establishing themselves as one of the NFL’s most dangerous attacking teams in recent weeks. Running back Bijan Robinson has been central to that resurgence, rushing for 349 yards and four touchdowns across his last two appearances.
Jackson’s absence changes the outlook for this matchup, particularly against an Atlanta defense that has been outstanding against the run. Huntley is an experienced replacement and has previously enjoyed success as Baltimore’s starter, but facing the Falcons without several important offensive linemen will make his task considerably harder.
Henry should still have opportunities to make an impact, although Atlanta’s ability to limit opposing running backs could force Baltimore into more obvious passing situations.
At the other end, Penix has helped transform the Falcons’ offense, with Bijan Robinson providing a constant threat on the ground. Baltimore remains capable of keeping this competitive through its running game and defensive playmakers, but Atlanta’s recent offensive form and home advantage should give it the edge.
Prediction: Baltimore Ravens 20-27 Atlanta Falcons
Baltimore Ravens at Atlanta Falcons kicks off at 1:20am BST on Monday, October 12, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The game will be shown live in the UK on Sky Sports NFL and Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage beginning at 1:10am. Supporters can also stream the matchup through NFL Game Pass on DAZN. In the United States, Sunday Night Football will be broadcast nationally on NBC.
The Ravens can remain in the game if their running game and defensive playmakers deliver, but Atlanta’s recent scoring form and home advantage point toward a 20-27 Falcons win.