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Ravens-Titans Capsule

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 10, 2009

RAVENS (12-5) VS. TITANS (13-3)

Today, 4:30 p.m.; WTSP, Channel 10

KEY MATCHUP

Baltimore's offensive line and quarterback Joe Flacco

vs. Tennessee's defensive line

Baltimore's offensive line needs to dictate down and distance today, because rookie QB Joe Flacco can't be expected to handle the pressure Tennessee will exert up front, especially if DT Albert Haynesworth and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch are fully recovered from nagging injuries.

The Ravens led the league with 592 rushing attempts, a key reason why Flacco was so successful in his first pro season. Flacco wasn't particularly impressive at Miami last week, and the Titans pose far more problems defensively than the Dolphins, so Willis McGahee and Le'Ron McClain will need to find consistent running lanes. If not, Haynesworth is capable of taking over this game by himself, ramping up the pressure on an inexperienced QB coping with crowd noise and playoff nerves.

KEY STAT
Ed Reed has five interceptions in three postseason games with the Ravens. The Pro Bowl free safety has picked off 10 passes and recovered two fumbles during a torrid seven-game stretch, scoring three TDs. No defensive back in the league can match Reed's blend of athleticism and smarts, so Titans QB Kerry Collins had better account for the ubiquitous No. 20 on every snap.

INJURY REPORT

TITANS: C Kevin Mawae (elbow) and DE Dave Ball (back) are out; DT Albert Haynesworth (knee) and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch (groin) are expected to play.

RAVENS: Reserve LN Antwan Barnes (pectoral) is out; TE Todd Heap (back, flu) is probable.

RAVENS WILL WIN IF

Baltimore picked Collins off twice in the regular-season meeting and the Titans couldn't mount a credible ground game at Baltimore, where it took a 10-point rally in the fourth quarter to keep Tennessee unbeaten. The NFL's No. 2 defense feeds off the intensity of Ray Lewis and Ed Reed's game-changing interceptions, and the Titans aren't blessed with the kind of receiving threats downfield who can stretch a defense. The Ravens, averaging 155 rushing yards in the past 12 games, have an opportunity to control tempo and force Collins to take some chances.

TITANS WILL WIN IF

Tennessee is well-rested, and the Titans are 4-1 against 2008 playoff teams. Given the experience of Kerry Collins under center, the Titans know they can keep drives alive in crunch time. Rookie Chris Johnson and LenDale White combined for 24 rushing TDs, a big reason why Tennessee is so potent in the red zone. If the Ravens find themselves trotting out veteran K Matt Stover repeatedly, settling for three points instead of seven, top-seeded Tennessee will find itself home again for next week's AFC title game. Look for the Titans to load up defensively in the box and dare Flacco to beat them.

X-FACTOR

In a game where TDs figure to be scarce, the Titans appear to have a slight edge in special teams, although Baltimore P Sam Koch has few peers. Tennessee K Rob Bironas made 29 of 33 field goal attempts and tied for the AFC lead with 22 touchbacks. Chris Carr ranked fourth with an average kickoff return of 28.1 yards.

QUOTE OF NOTE

DID YOU KNOW?

Baltimore's defense led the league by forcing 60 three-and-outs, and the Ravens haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher in their past 36 games.

RAVENS (12-5) VS. TITANS (13-3)

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