Julio Jones performance shows Ravens dimension they’re missing

The Falcons struggled for several years following their first NFC championship with Mat Ryan at the helm. The draft picks given up to acquire Julio Jones were responsible for the shallowness of the roster.

But Jones' performance on Sunday shows why so much capital was put in his acquisition. After the first two drives of the game, and after the completion of the offensive script, when the Falcons needed to keep momentum going to keep a potential furious Aaron Rodgers rally at bay, they turned to Jones. He was their offense. The mismatch had with Ladarius Gunter was of such disparity that Jones became open on virtually every play.

The Ravens lack of success when developing receivers is well documented. While the offense can be solid without a bonafide stud at wide receiver, it will never be great. When the critical games are going to be played against the elite teams, there will come a third down where someone will have to separate from man coverage and make a play the play design does not expect him to make. That someone is not on the roster.

Alshon Jeffery has shown the ability to make ridiculous contested catches consistently, as has Clemson's Mike Williams. It will take resources to bring either of them in, via free agency or a trade up in the draft.

But even if the Ravens do not fix the wide receiver issue for next season, it will have to be done in the near future if they expect to get back to the mountaintop.