SCOUTING REPORT
Ravens run offense vs. Titans run defense -- RAVENS
The Ravens' ground game - ranked 17th in the league - remains the strength of the offense but has been woefully inconsistent. In the Ravens' past five games, running back Jamal Lewis has run for more than 100 yards twice and has been held under 50 the other three times. Although the Titans rank 11th in run defense, few teams have tested them because Tennessee drops a safety down for run support. Tennessee has allowed just one 100-yard rusher, but that might be a product of only four teams rushing more than 25 times in a game against the Titans. The key for the Ravens is using big plays in the passing game to open up the running attack. In place of injured Randall Godfrey, the Titans will start rookie Rocky Calmus at middle linebacker.
Key stat: 68. Average yards rushing by Lewis in three games against the Titans in 2000.
Ravens pass offense vs. Titans pass defense -- TITANS
The biggest concern is how the Ravens' recently shaky pass protection can handle Tennessee's rush. The Ravens catch a break with end Jevon Kearse (foot) expected to miss his 10th straight game. But Ravens right tackle Ethan Brooks still has to hold his own against powerful end Kevin Carter, who is third in the AFC with seven sacks. Tennessee's attacking defensive style leaves its secondary vulnerable to deep throws, but Ravens quarterback Jeff Blake has only six completions over 20 yards in four starts. With Brandon Stokley doubtful and Travis Taylor matched up against cornerback Samari Rolle, the Ravens need tight end Todd Heap or rookie receivers Ron Johnson and Javin Hunter to make an impact.
Key stat: 15. Sacks allowed by the Ravens in their past three games.
Titans run offense vs. Ravens run defense -- EVEN
With the league's 13th-ranked run defense, the Ravens have allowed consecutive 100-yard rushers, but they have owned Eddie George. The Titans running back is averaging 2.8 yards a carry in his past eight meetings. But the Ravens don't have massive run stuffers like Sam Adams and Tony Siragusa anymore, and inside linebackers Ray Lewis and Ed Hartwell are questionable with injuries. Lewis could miss his sixth game in seven weeks, so Bernardo Harris is likely to start. The Ravens seem more worried about containing quarterback Steve McNair, who has dangerous scrambling ability.
Key stat: 7. Rushing touchdowns allowed by the Ravens in their past five games.
Titans pass offense vs. Ravens pass defense -- TITANS
During Tennessee's five-game winning streak, McNair has completed 62 percent of his passes for 887 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions. Ravens cornerback Chris McAlister (questionable, sprained ankle) is expected to come back and shadow Derrick Mason, the Titans' leading receiver. It will be interesting to see whether the Ravens will put one of their rookie safeties on Tennessee tight end Frank Wycheck. The Ravens' top pass rusher, Peter Boulware, has gone four games without a sack. The Ravens have allowed quarterbacks to complete more than 59 percent of their passes in all but two games this season.
Key stat: 58. Percent of passes competed by McNair over his 11-game career against the Ravens.
Special teams -- RAVENS
The Ravens could exploit the Titans' punt coverage team, which is the worst in the NFL. Tennessee is allowing 19.4 yards a return and has given up three touchdowns. Ravens punt returner Lamont Brightful is averaging 26.1 yards on seven tries, including a 95-yard touchdown. If the game is decided by field goals, the Ravens' Matt Stover is more accurate than Joe Nedney. The Ravens, though, need to tighten up their kickoff coverage.
Intangibles -- RAVENS
The Ravens are in the heads of the Titans, winning the past four meetings in emotional fashion. After an embarrassing loss at Miami, Ravens coach Brian Billick will have his players psyched up for this rivalry. The last time the Titans were on this sort of roll was 2000, when they had an eight-game winning streak that was ended by the Ravens.
Prediction -- RAVENS
The Ravens aren't as bad as they looked in Miami. The Titans aren't as good as they've looked during their five-game winning streak. Like clockwork, the Ravens give the Titans another dose of reality with a 15-13 win.
BREAK DOWN
Records
Titans 6-4 Ravens 4-6
Line
Titans by 2
Vs. spread
Titans 5-5 Ravens 6-4
Series
Tied 6-6
Last meeting
Ravens won, 16-10, on Nov. 12, 2001, at Tennessee.
NFL rankings
Titans offense: Rush (21), pass (18), overall (20).
Titans defense: Rush (11), pass (25), overall (20).
Ravens offense: Rush (17), pass (31), overall (31).
Ravens defense: Rush (13), pass (21), overall (16).
Quick hits
Titans QB Steve McNair has been sacked only 14 times this season.
Titans' Eddie George leads AFC running backs with 47 rushing TDs in the past five seasons.
Ravens have won past four meetings in the series, including 2000 AFC divisional playoff game.
Injuries
TITANS: Out: WR Darrell Hill (ankle). Questionable: CB Mike Echols (leg); LB Randall Godfrey (ankle); DE Jevon Kearse (foot); QB Steve McNair (toe); CB Dainon Sidney (arm); DT Robaire Smith (shoulder); TE Frank Wycheck (concussion).
RAVENS: Out: DE Michael McCrary (knee). Doubtful: WR Brandon Stokley (foot). Questionable: LB Ed Hartwell (knee); LB Ray Lewis (calf/shoulder); CB Chris McAlister (ankle); QB Chris Redman (back). Probable: G Edwin Mulitalo (chest); DE Tony Weaver (knee).
STARTING LINEUPS
Ravens offense
WR 84 Javin Hunter
LT 75 Jonathan Ogden
LG 64 Edwin Mulitalo
C 62 Mike Flynn
RG 66 Bennie Anderson
RT 77 Ethan Brooks
TE 86 Todd Heap
WR 89 Travis Taylor
QB 11 Jeff Blake
FB 39 Alan Ricard
RB 31 Jamal Lewis
Titans defense
LE 93 Kevin Carter
LT 78 John Thornton
RT 92 Henry Ford
RE 97 Carlos Hall
OLB 59 Peter Sirmon
MLB 54 Rocky Calmus
OLB 55 Keith Bulluck
CB 22 Andre Dyson
CB 21 Samari Rolle
SS 25 Tank Williams
FS 31 Lance Schulters
Titans offense
WR 85 Derrick Mason
LT 72 Brad Hopkins
LG 69 Zach Piller
C 64 G. DiNapoli
RG 75 Benji Olson
RT 71 Fred Miller
TE 89 Frank Wycheck
WR 87 Kevin Dyson
QB 9 Steve McNair
RB 27 Eddie George
FB 33 Greg Comella
Ravens defense
LE 98 Tony Weaver
NT 97 Kelly Gregg
RE 96 Adalius Thomas
OLB 90 Cornell Brown
ILB 56 Ed Hartwell
ILB 51 Bernardo Harris
OLB 58 Peter Boulware
CB 21 Chris McAlister
CB 28 Gary Baxter
SS 20 Ed Reed
FS 47 Will Demps
INSIDE SLANT
George Kokinis, the Ravens' assistant director of player personnel, sizes up the Titans:
Strength
Defensive line. Left end Kevin Carter is healthy and has held himself more accountable with Jevon Kearse being out. Tackle John Thornton is playing his best football, and the other tackle, Henry Ford, is a tough, steady player. Right end Carlos Hall is more than a finesse player, using leverage and strength.
Key matchup
Battle in the trenches. The game will be won or lost at the line of scrimmage. The Titans' offensive line has dominated games recently, and the defensive line has held up without Kearse.
Play to watch
Trip Right, Zip Over, 40 Out. It's a running play in which two tight ends are lined up on the right side. Eddie George starts off to the right side and reads how the Titans' zone blocking up front handles the nose tackle. If the nose tackle is blocked to right, it's a predetermined cutback to the left. The Titans seal off the left side and leave the outside linebacker on that side unblocked. The receiver who motioned toward the line on the left side acts like he is going to run a reverse. After the handoff to George, quarterback Steve McNair fakes a handoff to the receiver, which is supposed to freeze the outside linebacker and allow George to make the cutback.