Ravens defensive coaches designate an "explosive" offensive play as one over 15 yards. For Sunday's home game against the Cleveland Browns, they may want to move that number up a few notches.
Cleveland has scored four passing touchdowns of more than 29 yards the past two games and undoubtedly will try to attack a Ravens pass defense that has bent throughout much of the season (25th in the league) but rarely broken enough to give up the long touchdowns (three over 30 yards, none over 40).
"That might be our No. 1 goal: We have to deny them the explosive plays," defensive coordinator Mike Nolan said. "That's what hurts us."
It hurt the Ravens in the first meeting with Cleveland. Third receiver Dennis Northcutt scored touchdowns of 37 and 17 yards in a second-half comeback that fell five points short. Northcutt also caught a 43-yard pass earlier in the game and has two of the eight longest completions against the Ravens this year.
Northcutt is questionable for Sunday's game with a knee injury, but quarterback Tim Couch can look to wide receivers Kevin Johnson and Quincy Morgan, who offer up the same level of speed and elusiveness.
Morgan has touchdowns of 60, 50 and 78 yards the past two games.
"That's the strength of their team, and they go as Tim Couch and those receivers go," Ravens coach Brian Billick said. "They are as gifted, speed across the board, and that is why they are in three- and four-wide (receiver formations) a lot."
To contain Cleveland, the Ravens will rely heavily on starting cornerbacks Chris McAlister, who may have something to prove after feeling he was ripped off in being left off the Pro Bowl team, and Gary Baxter, who has had something to prove all year.
Baxter was a backup safety a year ago, and at 6 feet 2, 204 pounds, the Ravens anticipated before the season that his switch to cornerback, where he played in college, would be difficult.
But Baxter has actually been steadier than his predecessor, Duane Starks, who could make a momentum grabbing interception on one play, then give up an embarrassing touchdown the next.
"Gary has improved since Day One," secondary coach Donnie Henderson said. "When he first started out, in my mind, I didn't think he would have a whole lot of success out there simply because he is a big, rangy guy. He's showing us that he can play out there. He can bump and run, jump with the best of them, and you are not going to out-physical him on the line of scrimmage."
Still, the Ravens are considering moving Baxter back to safety at the end of the season. Matchups like Sunday could have something to do with it.
The Browns' shifty receivers are hard to jam at the line of scrimmage, and bigger cornerbacks often have trouble keeping up.
"Whenever I'm facing a quicker, faster receiver, I know I have to be light on my feet," Baxter said. "It's all feet-work and staying low. I just try stay low and beat him to the point. I'm not going to be too physical with a nifty guy, because I know if I miss, he can get behind me. So I'll mix it up."
Baxter has already set the Ravens' record for tackles by a cornerback with 80. His total is second among active Ravens, and he will likely be the first cornerback ever to finish among the top five tacklers.
His numbers actually resemble that of a safety.
"I can excel wherever they put me," Baxter said. "I'm a versatile athlete, and have that ability. That's my mentality. I'm feeling really great about cornerback, and I don't want to go nowhere. I'm feeling back at home.
"It's no one yet who has outrun me. I haven't really done bad. I think I have filled the expectations people had for me at cornerback."
But before a decision is made, Baxter and the Ravens' secondary will face a Cleveland team that threw for 371 yards in the first meeting and also four interceptions.
"We know it's going to be a track meet out there," Baxter said.
NOTES: The Ravens will have extended hours to accommodate ticket sales for permanent seat license holders for a possible playoff game on Jan. 4 or 5. The office hours are: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. today, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. tomorrow and at 11 a.m. Sunday. If the Ravens beat the Browns, the office will be open after the game.
Will Demps (leg, probable) was added to the injury report for Sunday's game. Offensive lineman Mike Flynn (knee, questionable), quarterback Chris Redman (back, questionable), guard Bennie Anderson (probable, neck), wide receiver Ron Johnson (probable, hip) and linebacker Adalius Thomas (thigh, probable) all practiced.
Next for Ravens
Matchup:Ravens (7-7) vs. Cleveland Browns (7-7)
Site:Ravens Stadium
When:Sunday, 4:15 p.m.
TV/Radio:Ch. 13/WJFK (1300 AM), WQSR (102.7 FM)
Line:Ravens by 3
SunSpot:For more coverage, visit sunspot.net/ravens