ed dickson

When the AFC's only two winning teams play Sunday afternoon at Houston's Reliant Stadium, the winner will improve to 6-1 and become the clear front runner in a conference presently marred by mediocrity.

The Ravens offense isn't the only one that needs to get off to a fast start in the first half of Sunday's game. Obviously, every team wants to get an early lead, but scoring early will be just as important for a Houston Texans offense that is built to hold a big lead, not erase one. The Texans have one of the most balanced offenses in the NFL, but they want to get a lead, pound the ball on the ground with running backs Arian Foster and Ben Tate, then generate big plays with play-action passes from quarterback Matt Schaub.

If not for late botched two-point conversion where Bryant dropped an accurate Romo pass, this game likely heads to overtime. Instead, the Ravens notched their 15th consecutive home victory.

The trend of reducing use of the no-huddle in noisy road venues continued at Arrowhead Stadium.

Outside linebacker recovering from partially torn right Achilles tendon

The Ravens are rested up and presumably ready to go for Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs. After four games in a span of 18 days -- including three games of the primetime variety -- this road tilt in Kansas City is flying under the radar, both nationally and in Baltimore, where everyone has been cast under the spell of Orioles magic. How crazy is it that the O's are stealing the spotlight from the Ravens in October?

The pass-rushing prowess of Kansas City Chiefs Pro Bowl outside linebacker Tamba Hali tends to put an offense on high alert.

After catching 18 passes in his first three games of 2012, in the process endearing himself to fantasy football aficionados, Dennis Pitta was shut out by the Cleveland Browns last Thursday. He played 57 snaps as the Ravens continued to line up the tight end all over the field, but he had zero catches on a season-low two targets. As a result, those finicky fantasy football folks have been bailing on Pitta, but there is no reason to think he won't continue to be a big part of this offense. As Pitta explained, his lack of production was simply the product of quarterback Joe Flacco taking what was given to him in that game.

Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson get a shot at a Kansas City Chiefs defense that has allowed a touchdown to a tight end in three of four games this season

Tight end Ed Dickson admits being frustrated, but is trying to stay patient in his new role as backup to Dennis Pitta

The Ravens¿ no-huddle was employed 49 of 77 snaps to generate 438 yards. The shotgun was utilized 41 times, buying time for Joe Flacco before pass rushers invaded the pocket.

Baltimore Ravens reporter Jeff Zrebiec has news, notes and opinions on Pernell McPhee, Terrell Suggs and more.

Since we are four weeks into the NFL season, I figured now would be a great time to take a look at the snap counts for the 53 men on the Baltimore Ravens roster to see which trends are developing.

Once backing up Ed Dickson, Dennis Pitta now playing more snaps and getting targeted more frequently in Ravens offense

Each Wednesday, blogger Matt Vensel will highlight five statistics that really mean something for the Ravens. This week, he looks at the offense's big-play ability, Marshal Yanda's steady play, and the team's recent dominance over the rival Cleveland Browns.

The no-huddle offense returned to prominence after disappearing a week ago in Philadelphia, using it on 44 of 65 snaps and piling up 503 yards of total offense.

The Ravens trailed the New England Patriots by nine points with 7:29 to go Sunday night when quarterback Joe Flacco initiated a drive that probably should serve as a blue print for the offense for the rest of the season.

During a 24-23 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Ravens converted none of their six short-yardage opportunities on third and fourth downs. In each situation, offensive coordinator Cam Cameron called for a pass instead of running Rice behind fullback Vonta Leach and right guard Marshal Yanda.

Dennis Pitta was targeted 15 times in Sunday's 24-23 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and he is now listed ahead of fellow third-year tight end Ed Dickson on the Baltimore Ravens' official depth chart. But in that game, Pitta, who got 51 offensive snaps, lined up as a wide receiver or a slot receiver more than two-thirds of the time.

Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta has caught 13 passes for 138 yards, touchdown

Each Wednesday, blogger Matt Vensel will highlight five statistics that really mean something for the Ravens. This week, he looks at Tom Brady's struggles against the Ravens, Vince Wilfork's dominant performance in last year's AFC championship game and the Ravens' issues on third-down plays.

Every morning, Monday through Friday, blogger Matt Vensel will hook you up with reading material -- mostly on the Ravens but with some other Baltimore sports stuff, too -- to skim through as you slug down coffee and slack off at the start of your workday. That way he'll have an excuse to do the same to start his workday, too.

The Patriots didn¿t get tight end Rob Gronkowski involved Sunday until the fourth quarter, when he had five catches for 66 yards and a touchdown.

Bengals safety Taylor Mays fined for helmet-to-helmet contact against Ed Dickson.

Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston answers a selection of reader questions about the Ravens' 44-13 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in the season opener at M&T Bank Stadium.

Baltimore Sun reporters break down the film from last week's games involving the Baltimore Ravens and their next opponent.

Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Dean Pees picked his spots carefully, manufacturing just enough of a pass rush to keep Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton honest last night.

As the Ravens prepare to play their season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night at M&T Bank Stadium, here are 10 intriguing questions surrounding the team:

For Ravens' Joe Flacco and company to rank in the top 10 in total offense for the first time since 1997, they need an aging offensive line — one that is in the middle of a transition — to hold steady for one more season.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is entering the final year of his rookie contract but he is not consumed by the situation.

Offensive coordinator said team's top two tight ends won't need much time to re-establish connection with Joe Flacco and rest of offense

Lineman remains out with injury suffered in June

On Wednesday afternoon, Ravens safety Ed Reed meandered across the locker room with a black and orange Orioles hat sitting slightly ajar atop his head. He is not the first Ravens player to rock an O's cap as we have seen Anquan Boldin, Ray Rice and others do it before. But for the first time since 52 of the guys on the roster arrived here -- veteran linebacker Ray Lewis is the lone exception -- the Orioles are in first place in September.

After aggravating his strained right shoulder during the Ravens preseason finale, rookie outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw declared that he's ready to play in the season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals.