Ravens-Titans Match-up
The Ravens are about a field goal underdog, but they match up well with the 4-0 Titans.
Tennessee's calling card is similar to the Ravens: run the football, limit mistakes and win the game with defense.
I don't think either team will do much on the ground with the defensive front 7's over-matching the guys lined up on the offensive side of the ball.
The Titans' wide receiver group is a notch or two below the Ravens, who are average at best. So, if the Titans can't run or pass the ball, how can they win the game?
The Titans' best shot is to jump on Ravens mistakes. Tennessee leads the NFL in forced turnovers and a Joe Flacco fumble or interception that turns into a defensive touchdown could doom the Ravens.
With Samari Rolle out for several weeks the Titans will look for the right time to go deep to test Rolle's replacement, corner Fabian Washington.
If the Ravens can't run the ball, Joe Flacco will have to crank up the passing game. Derrick Mason may get extra attention from his former team so it'll be important to get guys like Todd Heap, Mark Clayton and Demetrius Williams involved in the passing game.
Some Top Titans
*Albert Haynesworth DT - Top interior DL in the league. Already has five sacks, routinely beats double-teams.
*Kyle Vanden Bosch DE - The DE has nine sacks in his last 8 games and has averaged over 10 sacks a year in his last three seasons in Tennessee.
*Vincent Fuller DB - The former Baltimore native and Woodlawn high school quarterback is tied for the Titans' lead with 24 tackles.
*Chris Johnson RB - The NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Month for September. The 5-11, 200-pound speedster from East Carolina has over 400 yards from scrimmage and a great five yard per carry average. Johnson has 67 carries LenDale White has 60.
*Kerry Collins QB - He threw four interceptions to the Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV, but he brings stability and 152 starts to the Titans offense. In Collins' three starts this year, only one interception and one sack. He's 3-0 and remains the starter despite Vince Young's return.
It'll be interesting to see how much Monday Night's emotional overtime loss to the Steelers took out of the Ravens. This should be another smash-mouth battle, the Ravens' second in six days.
Bottom line, defense should rule in this game, but I suspect two great defenses will cancel each other out. So who wins? I'll invoke the Dilfer rule.
Don't look for any big stats, but the quarterback who does the best job managing the game is the winner. That means limiting turnovers (punting isn't a bad thing) and making just a few big plays.
DEFENSE deserves to be the headline in this game, but efficient offense and special teams play will decide it.
3 and out!
Scott
Leave a comment