|
|||||||
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||||
The Baltimore Ravens
have the NFL's leading rusher and perhaps its most dominant defensive player.
They have an improving offense to go along with one of the league's top defenses.
Most importantly, the Ravens seem to have the Tennessee Titans' number.
The Ravens seek their sixth straight victory over the Titans and a berth in the divisional round as the former division rivals meet in an AFC wild-card game.
Tennessee has been one of the NFL's most successful teams in recent years, making the playoffs four times in the last five years. The Titans reached the AFC championship game twice in that span, including a Super Bowl appearance in 1999.
ADVERTISEMENT
But their success has meant nothing against the Ravens, who have won the last
five meetings. That includes a 24-10 victory in a playoff game on Jan. 7, 2001,
when Baltimore went into Tennessee's Adelphia Coliseum as a wild-card team and
stunned the Titans with a special teams touchdown and a defensive score in the
second half.
This time, Baltimore is a division champion and Tennessee is a wild card as the Titans prepare to face their nemeses.
``They've been a thorn in our sides, and sometimes to move on in the future, you have to be presented with the past,'' Tennessee's Eddie George says. ``Maybe this is one of those times.''
Besides the Ravens' history of success in the series, the Titans must overcome Baltimore's Jamal Lewis-led offense and the defense keyed by superstar Ray Lewis -- who clinched the 2001 playoff victory with an interception return for a score.
Jamal Lewis rushed for 2,066 yards this season, second to Eric Dickerson's 2,105 on the NFL's single-season list, and was named The Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year. The Titans should be able to give him one of his strongest challenges, as they allow an NFL-low 80.9 rush yards per game.
``It's going to be a great game, the No. 1 rushing offense against the No. 1 rushing defense,'' Jamal Lewis said. ``Something's going to have to give, somebody's going to have to give and hopefully it's not us.''
Even though the running game is their strength, the Ravens are no longer as one dimensional as they were earlier this season. With Anthony Wright as the quarterback over the last six games, Baltimore has gone 5-1 while averaging 29.8 points. Wright has nine touchdowns in that span.
Baltimore is still best known for its defense, and much of that is due to Ray Lewis. The Ravens finished third in the league in total defense this season, with Lewis being honored as The AP Defensive Player of the Year for the second time. He led all linebackers with six interceptions this season.
The good news for the Titans is they should have one of the league's best players as they face that defense. Steve McNair, among the MVP favorites, is healthier after missing two of the final three games with leg injuries and is expected to start Saturday. He went through a full practice Wednesday for the first time in more than a month.
A healthy McNair is one of the few players who can cause difficulties for the Baltimore defense. His 100.4 passer rating led the NFL, and he can hurt teams with both deep passes and his scrambling ability.
``Their front is relentless and Ray is Ray,'' Titans coach Jeff Fisher said of the Ravens' defense. ``Ray's going to make plays in the run game and the pass game, and so we're going to have to make plays off schedule. So Steve's mobility is going to be a critical part of our success.''
If Indianapolis beats Denver, the winner of this game advances to face top-seeded New England in the divisional round. If the Broncos defeat the Colts, the Kansas City Chiefs will host the winner of this game.
Back To Index Page