I am not surprised that Tennessee is only a 3pt favorite in this game… this is a pick-em type game on a neutral field, and the Titans deserve to be the slight favorite for being at home, and coming off a bye.
The stats show two evenly matched teams:
Baltimore
Offense avgs 24.1 points per game
Defense avgs 15.3 points per game
Offense avgs 324 yards per game (175.5 Pass, 148.5 Rush)
Defense avgs 261.1 yards per game (179.7 Pass, 81.4 Rush)
Tennessee
Offense avgs 23.4 points per game
Defense avgs 14.6 points per game
Offense avgs 313.6 yards per game (176.2 Pass, 137.4 Rush)
Defense avgs 293.6 yards per game (199.8 Pass, 93.9 Rush)
It will not be the factor that decides the game, but I am a bit irritated that the Ravens are playing Saturday as opposed to Sunday.
Baltimore played in Miami Sunday, and has to play in Tennessee Saturday… San Diego played at home Saturday, and has to play in Pittsburgh Sunday…
So the Ravens get shorted a day in preparation, and San Diego gets an extra day to heal.
There has been a lot of talk this week about the October 6th game at M&T Bank Stadium.
In that game, the Titans rallied in the 4th quarter with an 11-yard TD pass from Collins to Crumpler with under 2mts left, to win 13-10.
That final drive was aided by a ridiculous call on Suggs, that allowed the possession to continue.
While that play mattered, you have to credit Collins and Tennessee for finishing the drive.
There are a number of other things to take from that game, of far more importance than that controversial play.
1) Tennessee was penalized 10 times for 78 yards, and Baltimore was penalized 11 times for 91 yards.
It was a chippy game, that occurs when you have two physical teams going against each other.
I am not a Jeff Fisher fan, but I respect what he has accomplished. You do not achieve the tenure he has enjoyed, unless you do the little things right. He is an effective communicator, motivator, and always has his team ready to play.
He will have the Titans fired-up Saturday… he will have them buying into the idea that they have not received enough ‘respect.’
The refs will be aware of the penalties of the past game, and will call the game tight…. Which team keeps their composure Saturday?
2) Chris Johnson, and LenDale White is a great combination at Running Back, that have helped Tennessee avg 137 rushing yards a game… Johnson has that homerun capability, and White pounds between the tackles.
During that game, they had 21 combined carries for 48 yards… It was a fluke that they won with that minimal production. Off a bye week, with rested legs… I will not be surprised if Johnson and White do more on the ground this week…. But I do believe they will need over 100 yards combined to beat the Ravens Sat.
3) Flacco had a rough day, was 18 for 27, with 153 yards and 2 picks… He was staring down receivers, and Tennessee made him pay. You have to keep in-mind that he was only playing his 4th game as a Professional that day. He is infinitely more experienced at this point, and the Ravens offense has become less conservative. Him having already experienced playing against the Titans is a good thing.
4) McGahee was still the feature back at that point, and had 22 carries for 64 yards, a 2.8 ypc avg. McClain had 11 carries for 51 yards, a 4.6 ypc avg. Will Tenn be able to stop McClain (and our jumbo package, Neal, and the three OT’s) ? Overall, the Ravens ran for 132 yards… below the Baltimore rushing per game avg, but considerably above what Tenn gave up on a per game basis.
Expectations
The Titans did not go 13-3 by accident. They are a quality team… in good news for them, Albert Haynesworth has practiced the last two-days, and looks ready to go.
The Ravens had a short-week to prepare, and Tennessee will have the fresh legs, playing in-front of a rabid home crowd.
Those are all reasons to believe the Titans will prevail, but ultimately I believe the Ravens are the more talented team, and will win.
I think Baltimore controls the Titans running game, and I do not think Collins can beat the Ravens twice. When they previously played, the Ravens were being ultra-conservative with Flacco, and not allowing him to look down the field.
I see Ray Rice being back this week, making some plays on 3rd downs to extend drives… I see Flacco making 1 or 2 plays down the field to Clayton… and a redzone score to either Wilcox, or Heap.
Ravens allow under 17pts, they win.
Baltimore moves on to the AFC Championship 17-13.
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.