Behind Enemy Lines: Matt Ryan, Falcons 2-1 and Devin Hester with Falcons writer D. Orlando Ledbetter

For the Vikings-Falcons matchup in Week 4, we reached out to D. Orlando Ledbetter, who covers the Falcons for the Atlanta Journal Constitution and is also President of the Pro Football Writers of America, for this week's edition of "Behind Enemy Lines." Here are five questions we asked Ledbetter about the game.

1. What has been the biggest reason for the Falcons' 2-1 start after going 4-12 last year?

DL: The play of quarterback Matt Ryan has been exceptional in both of their victories. He completed 31 of 43 passes for 448 yards with three touchdowns and a 128.8 quarterback rating in a 37-34 overtime win over the Saints. He completed 22 of 44 passes for 231 yards with one touchdown, three interceptions and a 48.6 quarterback rating in a 24-10 loss to the Bengals. He completed 21 of 24 passes for 286 yards with three touchdowns and a 155.9 quarterback rating and sat much of the second half in a 56-14 win over the Buccaneers. The Falcons got well in a hurry against the woeful Bucs. His 87.5 completion percentage and 155.9 quarterback rating set single-game franchise records. According to Pro Football Focus statistics, Ryan spread the wealth against the Bucs. He was 5-of-5 for 46 yards on passes to the left, 12-of-14 for 146 yards on passes in the middle and 4-of-5 for 94 yards on passes to the right. His quarterback rating was a solid 91.7 when blitzed. He will see different and more complex pressure packages against the Vikings.

2. What does the Vikings defense have to do to stop quarterback Matt Ryan?

DL: They need to collapse the front of his pocket and get in his face. The Bengals used this strategy and also sent a lot of pressure off the edges. When the Falcons were able to hit their hot routes, the Bengals came up and tackled well. They Falcons have also turned the ball over. Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter has not been pleased with the offense's seven turnover over the past two games. Against the Bengals, Ryan tossed three interceptions. Against Tampa Bay, backup quarterback T.J. Yates tossed a pick-six, Antone Smith, Devonta Freeman and tight end Levin Toilolo all had fumbles.

2. How has the Falcons secondary, allowed 387 passing yards a game, looked through three games?

DL: The secondary has actually been pretty good. Second-year cornerbacks Robert Alford and Desmond Trufant are playing at a high level. Dwight Lowery has been solid at free safety. The problem against the Bengals was the inability to stop the run as they rushed for 170 yards and against New Orleans, they weren't able to mount any pressure on Drew Brees. The pass rush showed signs of life against Tampa Bay. They had three sacks, seven hits and 12 quarterback hurries.

DL: He's the team's fourth wide receiver on offense. They have thrown him deep passes and have tried to find him on crossing routes. He also scored on a reverse against Tampa Bay. He doesn't appear to have lost a step at least while working on the Georgia Dome turf. He had five catches for 99 yards in the opener against the Saints at home and returned a punt 62 yards against Tamps Bay. The Falcons have been able to squeeze some life out of Hester as a wide receiver, when the Chicago Bears placed him on moth balls for the 2013 season. After he was signed in free agency, at the urging of head coach Mike Smith, Koetter and assistant head coach/wide receiver Terry Robiskie came up with a plan to get Hester integrated into the offense. The move might pay extra dividends this week as Harry Douglas, who returned to practice on Wednesday, is slowed by a foot injury in the Tampa Bay game. But after the plan was devised, Hester should receive the credit for earning his playing time.

5. In what areas will the Falcons need to execute to beat the Vikings?