Falcons Look to Continue Historic Run

The Atlanta Falcons and Oakland Raiders get set to play today, and the Falcons will try to continue their best start in team history by going 6-0. Oakland is looking for just their second win of the year, as they are 1-3.
Everything is pointing in the Falcons direction to win today. First they have a perfect record, and the Raiders aren't that great. Also, the Falcons won the last time they played the Raiders, 24-0 out in Oakland back in 2008. They held the Raiders to only 77 yards of offense, the lowest output ever by a Raiders team. The last time the Raiders came to Atlanta they lost too, 35-10 back in 2004. Another reason the Falcons have a good chance, the Falcons rank fifth in the NFL in offense, the Raiders rank 30th in the NFL in points given up per game.
It appears the Falcons have it all locked up before the game has even started, but they need to do one thing today that they have struggled at recently. That's starting the game out by getting a lead and keeping that lead. Two games ago against the Panthers, the Falcons had to come back and kick a field goal with less than ten seconds to win the game 30-28. Last week, the Falcons had to score the last ten points of the game to pull out a 24-17 victory over the Redskins.
One way to accomplish getting that lead is through Matt Ryan and the passing game. Ryan is having a superb season at quarterback and is leading the team through this remarkable beginning of the 2012 season. His top targets, wide receiver Roddy White and tight end Tony Gonzalez, need to have big games too. White is among the leaders in the NFL at receiver with 31 receptions for 481 yards and three touchdowns through the first five games. Gonzalez leads the NFL with 39 receptions, to go along with 388 yards and four touchdowns.
This Falcons team came into the year with big goals. Winning today would show they are serious about accomplishing those goals. They have a great chance to do just that against this lowly Raiders team, who haven't won on the road yet this year. Look for the Falcons to extend this historic run, stay perfect and pull out win number six.