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If you want to win in the NFL, and especially if you want to win on the road, you have to come out on top in the turnover battle.
So far this season, the Ravens are just +1 in the turnover department, although they've come on strong lately.
That trend will have to continue tonight, because the Falcons have shown that when they win the turnover battle, they almost always win the game as well.
Since head coach Mike Smith took over the reigns in Atlanta at the start of the 2008 season, the Falcons are 15-1 in games when they have the edge when it comes to turnovers.
This season, Atlanta has a +7 turnover ratio, good for fourth-best in the NFL. Quarterback Matt Ryan has thrown just five picks, and as I mentioned earlier today, the Falcons' defense have nabbed 13 interceptions on the season.
While the Ravens' overall turnover numbers aren't all that impressive, they've been on fire in that category lately. In the two games since Ed Reed's return from the Physically Unable to Perform list, the Ravens are +5 in turnover differential.
Reed has picked off three passes himself, which already gives him the team lead in interceptions.
Yes, you read that correctly - Reed has played just two games, and he already leads the team in picks.
Meanwhile, Joe Flacco hasn't thrown an interception in 129 passing attempts, which covers four full games, and the Ravens seem to have ridded themselves of the dreaded fumblitis, which was a problem at times earlier in the year.
If the Ravens hope to improve to 7-2 tonight, they'll need to continue to protect the football and force takeaways. Atlanta simply doesn't lose when they come out on top in the turnover game.
