The top-seeded Tennessee Titans host the Baltimore Ravens in an AFC Divisional Playoff matchup.
For the Titans, this marks their first home playoff game since 2003.
The Titans (13-3), owners of the AFC's best regular season record, earned a first round
playoff bye and were off last week. The Titans last played in their regular season finale at Indianapolis (12/28/2008).
In a contest in which many starters either did not play or were removed early in the game, the Titans lost to the
Colts by a final score of 23-0.
The Ravens, who entered the playoffs as the AFC's sixth seed, were in action last week
at Miami in the Wild Card round. Against the Dolphins,
the Ravens forced five turnovers in a 27-9 victory. Baltimore's takeaways included two interceptions by safety
Ed Reed, one of which was returned 64 yards for a touchdown.
Baltimore Ravens at Tennessee Titans - Saturday, CBS 4:30PM ET
Both teams excel at turnovers, finishing second (Tennessee, plus-14) and third (Baltimore, plus-13)
this season in NFL turnover differential.
They are also quite similar on defense. Linemen who call for double-teams; quick linebackers who can rush or drop
back into coverage; and ball-hawking secondaries.
The Titans Kerry Collins -- who can become the first QB in history to win at least one playoff game with three
different clubs (Carolina Panthers, New York Giants) -- was intercepted only seven times this season.
In the 2008 regular season, Collins entered the lineup in relief during a Week 1 win against Jacksonville
(9/7/2008) and started the remaining 15 games. With 242 completions, 2,676 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven
interceptions on 415 attempts, his passer rating of 80.2 was the third-highest of his career (2000, 2002).
Problem is, he goes against a defense led by Safety Ed Reed that topped the league in pickoffs with 26.
But it certainly won't be all defense as each team packs a solid running game.
Rookie Chris Johnson teams up with Len Dale White (15 rushing TDs) for Tennessee and Baltimore brings it with the
FB who could be a RB, 260-pound All-Star Le'Ron McClain (75 yards in the Wild Card game), rookie Ray Rice and veteran
Willis McGahee.
In 2008, Len Dale White and Chris Johnson split time at running back for the Titans.
Together, the duo
accounted for 2,001 yards and all 24 of the Titans rushing TDs. Len Dale White's 2008 totals included
200 carries for 773 yards and 15 touchdowns in 16 games. Chris Johnson (24th overall pick 2008 NFL Draft), led the
Titans in rushing and was named to the Pro Bowl as a rookie. His regular season totals included 251 carries for 1,228
yards and nine touchdowns. Johnson’s yardage total was the third-highest in the AFC and eighth in the NFL.
The Ravens totaled 148.5 rushing yards per game this season, standing as the NFL's No. 4 ground attack.
The Ravens running attack was led by Le'Ron McClain (232 att, 902 yds, 10 TDs), Willis McGahee (170 att, 671 yds, 7 TDs)
and rookie Ray Rice (107 att, 454 yds, 4.2 avg.).
Baltimore Ravens rookie head coach John Harbaugh and his rookie quarterback Joe Flacco can reach two milestones when
they play the Tennessee Titans on Saturday. Flacco can become the first rookie quarterback to win his first two playoff
games and Harbaugh can become only the fifth rookie head coach to reach that mark.
An Exceptional Titan Tight End Tandem
During the 2008 regular season, TE Alge Crumpler ranked sixth on the team with 24 receptions for 257 yards and one
touchdown. That one touchdown was the winner for the Titans over the Ravens earlier this season (see below).
Tight end Bo Scaife led the Titans and set a career high with 58 receptions for 561 yards and two touchdowns.
His reception total ranked fifth in the AFC and seventh in the NFL among tight ends.
WR Justin Gage played in 12 games this season and led the Titans with 651 receiving yards on 34
receptions and a career-high six touchdown receptions. Gage ranked 3rd in the NFL this season with a 19.1-yard
receiving average. Justin McCareins contributed 30 receptions for 412 yards in 14 games
Two Impressive Defenses
The Ravens allowed the 3rd-fewest points in the NFL this season, permitting only 244 (15.3 per game).
The Ravens finished the regular season ranked as the NFL's No. 2 defense (261.1 ypg). Baltimore's
rush defense (81.4) ranked 3rd, while the pass defense (179.7) finished 2nd. The Ravens have now gone
6 straight seasons ranking in the top 6 in total defense.
The Ravens compiled the NFL's top scoring differential (tied with Tennessee) in 2008,
outscoring opponents 385-244. Additionally, Baltimore only allowed a league-low 60 points in
the 4th quarter while scoring 115 (good for a +55 differential).
The Titans finished the 2008 regular season ranked third in the AFC and seventh in the NFL in
total defense. Their opponents averaged 313.6 yards per game. The Titans were third in the AFC
and sixth in the NFL in rushing defense (93.9 yards per game). The Titans finished the 2008 regular
season ranked second in scoring defense. They allowed opponents an average of 14.6 points per game and
kept opponents to 17 points or less in 13 of 16 contests. The Titans defense allowed
25 total touchdowns during the 2008 regular season, an average of 1.6 per game. They trailed only the
Pittsburgh Steelers, who allowed 21 touchdowns.
Series: Tied Up at 8-and-8 Plus 1-and-1
The Titans and the Ravens have met 18 times, including two playoff games. This game will break a
9-9 tie in a series that has been highly competitive. Of the 18 games the teams have played against
each other, 10 have been decided by four points or less, with the Titans holding a 6-4 advantage in those
meetings.
The two teams used to play together in the AFC Central for six seasons after the Ravens relocated to
Baltimore from Cleveland in 1996. Realignment in the league in 2002 moved the Titans to the AFC South
and the Ravens to the AFC North, ending their twice-yearly meetings.
In the five games since realignment, the Titans are 3-2. Most recently, the Titans and Ravens squared off in
another close battle in Week 5 of the NFL 2008 regular season.
In that game, the Titans, led by quarterback Kerry Collins, took their first
lead of the game on an 11-yard touchdown pass to tight end Alge Crumpler with less than
two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. They held on for a 13-10 victory.
The Titans and Ravens have split their previous two postseason matchups.
In the Divisional Round of the 2000 playoffs, the Wild Card Ravens upended the top-seeded Titans in Tennessee
during their march to a Super Bowl XXXV
Championship. In the 2003 postseason, the Titans traveled as a Wild Card to Baltimore in the first round and won 20-17
on a late field goal by Gary Anderson.
Tennessee Titans 13 at Baltimore Ravens 10
NFL 2008 Week 5 (Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008)
Tennessee Titans
0
3
0
10
13
Baltimore Ravens
3
0
7
0
10
In Week 5 of the NFL 2008 regular season, the Titans rallied for 10 points in the fourth quarter
to defeat the Ravens 13-10 in Baltimore.
Trailing 10-6 with six minutes remaining, Titans quarterback Kerry Collins led an 11-play, 80-yard drive
that culminated with a game-winning 11-yard touchdown pass to tight end Alge Crumpler.
Alge Crumpler’s TD gave Titans a 13-10 win against Ravens (10/5/2008). Ravens All-Pro Safety Ed Reed in Background
The drive required a
pair of third-down conversions – a 10-yard reception by Chris Davis and a 15-yard grab by Bo Scaife – as well
as a 15-yard roughing-the-passer penalty on Baltimore three plays into the series. Scaife's catch, his third of the
drive and team-high seventh of the game, gave the Titans a first-and-10 at the Baltimore 11 at the two-minute warning.
On the next play, Collins found Crumpler in the end zone.
On the second play of the ensuing Ravens possession, cornerback Nick Harper
recorded Tennessee’s second interception of the game off Baltimore quarterback Joe
Flacco. A three-and-out by the Titans produced one final opportunity for the Ravens, but the
clock expired with the Ravens on their own 34-yard line.
The eventful closing minutes ended a defensive struggle that featured 21 total penalties,
including 11 by the Titans. The Titans and Ravens combined for 495 yards of total offense
(Titans 210, Ravens 285), and there were two interceptions by each team. Baltimore’s 132
rushing yards on 38 carries helped them achieve a time of possession of 34:28, compared
to 25:32 for the Titans.
Collins completed 17 of 32 passes for 163 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
His first interception of the game, a pass batted at the line and then caught by defensive lineman
Justin Bannan, ended a promising initial offensive series in the first quarter. The
Ravens, acquiring the ball at their own 34-yard line, progressed down the field. Aided by five
Titans penalties on the drive, the Ravens went in front 3-0 on a 38-yard field goal by Matt
Stover.
In the second quarter, Titans safety Michael Griffin intercepted a Flacco pass and returned
it to the Baltimore 32-yard line. Kicker Rob Bironas eventually booted a 35-yard field
goal to tie the game.
The Ravens had a chance to take the lead at the end of the first half, but a 45-yard attempt
by Stover sailed wide right.
The Ravens did, however, take the lead early in the third quarter. On the opening series
of the half, they went 71 yards on 11 plays and scored on a one-yard touchdown run by running
back Le’Ron McClain.
The score remained 10-3 until early in the fourth quarter. Titans receiver Brandon
Jones totaled three receptions for 54 yards on a drive that stalled at the Baltimore eight yard
line. Bironas then kicked 26-yard field goal.
After a Baltimore punt, the Titans took over with 6:07 on the clock at their own 20-yard
line, and the stage was set for Collins’ late-game heroics.
Baltmore Ravens Game Notes
The Ravens have now won 10 of their past 12 games
The Ravens seek their 2nd straight playoff win at Tennessee.
Ravens have 4-1 (.800) road record in postseason
In 3 career postseason games, S ED REED
has 5 interceptions. Reed can become 2nd player in NFL history to record at least 1 INT in each of his 1st 4
postseason games (AENEAS WILLIAMS). Reed tied career-high with 9 interceptions in 2008 & has 4 in past 2 games.
In past 7 games (including Wild Card), Reed has 10 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries & 3 touchdowns (2 INT-TDs; 1 FR-TD)
Over their past 12 games, including their Wild Card win at Miami, the Ravens are averaging 155.1 yards per game on the ground (1,861 total rush yards)
Rookie QB JOE FLACCO (1st round, No. 18) can become 1st rookie QB to win 2 playoff games in NFL history
In past 12 (including Wild Card), Flacco has completed 176 of 307 passes (57.3 pct.) for 2,262 yards with 13 touchdowns vs.
5 interceptions & 87.9 passer rating. Ravens have a 6-1 (.857) record in past 7 road games & Flacco has 9 touchdowns vs. 2 interceptions & 96.5
passer rating
In 2 career games vs. the Tennessee Titans, RB WILLIS MC GAHEE averages 79.5 rush yards per game (44 attempts,
159 rush yards). Last week, McGahee gained 62 rush yards in 1st career playoff appearance, including long of 48 yards
In past 4 (including Wild Card), FB LE’ RON MC CLAIN is averaging 92.7 rush yards per game (371 total) & aims for
4th straight game with at least 1 rush TD. McClain was selected to 1st career Pro Bowl
WR DERRICK MASON spent 8 seasons (1997-2004) with the Tennessee Titans & ranks 5th in franchise history with
453 receptions. WR MARK CLAYTON posted 7 receptions for 125 yards (17.9 avg.) with 1 TD in last meeting at Ten
TE TODD HEAP recorded career playoff-high in receptions (6) & receiving yards (80) in last meeting against Titans
Club led NFL with 26 interceptions (2nd most in Ravens history) in 2008 regular season & has 8 interceptions in past 3 games
Club aims for 10th straight game with INT in playoffs
The Ravens have not allowed an opposing running back to gain 100+ rush yards in 9 postseason games (tied for
3rd longest active streak)
LB RAY LEWIS registered 50-yard INT-TD return in last postseason game at Tennessee
CB SAMARI ROLLE posted 23 interceptions in 7 seasons (1998-2004) with Tennessee
The Ravens had 5 players selected to Pro Bowl (Lewis, McClain, Reed, special teamer BRENDON AYANBADEJO & DE TERRELL
SUGGS).
Tennessee Titans Game Notes
The Titans make their 6th playoff appearance over the past 10 years earning their first AFC No. 1 seed since 2000
Titans posted 4-1 (.800) record against playoff teams in 2008 during NFL regular season
Head coach JEFF FISHER has 5-5 (.500) postseason record. Fisher joins Pro Football Hall of Famers TOM LANDRY & DON
SHULA & former San Diego Chargers head coach MARTY SCHOTTENHEIMER as only coaches since 1975 to earn No. 1 seed in 15th
year or later as head coach (NFL designated No. 1 seeds starting in 1975)
Titans are 2-1 (.667) at home in postseason under Fisher
For career, QB KERRY COLLINS has a 3-0 postseason record in home games. Collins is 13-6 (.684) as a starter with Titans
Pro Bowl rookie RB CHRIS JOHNSON (1st round, No. 24) ranked 3rd in AFC with 1,228 rush yards. RB LEN DALE WHITE tied for
3rd in NFL with career-high 15 rush touchdowns. The Titans are 8-1 (.889) when White rushes for 90-plus yards
WR JUSTIN GAGE averaged career-high 19.1 yards per catch in 2008 (34 receptions, 651 yards)
TE BO SCAIFE led team with career-high 58 receptions. Scaife posted team-high 7 receptions for 72 yards
(10.3 avg.) in last meeting against Ravens. TE ALGE CRUMPLER recorded 11-yard game-winning TD in last game vs. Ravens
Titans Defense ranked 2nd in NFL by allowing 14.6 points per game
S MICHAEL GRIFFIN tied for 2nd in NFL
with career-high 7 interceptions
CB CORTLAND FINNEGAN posted career-high 7 interceptions in 2008 & aims for 2nd
straight playoff game with INT
In last playoff game against Ravens (w/Colts on 1/13/07), CB NICK HARPER posted
1st postseason INT
Including postseason, DE JEVON KEARSE has 9 career sacks against Ravens
Rookie DT
JASON JONES (2nd round, Eastern Michigan) tied for 1st among rookies with 5 sacks
P CRAIG HENTRICH ranks 2nd in
playoff history with 97 career postseason punts (RAY GUY, 111).
Last week, the Ravens thrashed a Dolphins offense. However, the Titans offense
is a balanced-attack anchored by one of the top offensive lines in the NFL. In other words, their
sound and solid not needing to rely on gimmick offenses.
The Titans offensive line -- tackles Michael Roos and David Stewart,
guards Eugene Amano and Jake Scott, and center Kevin Mawae -- kept opposing
defensive players out of the backfield for much of the 2008 season as they allowed their
opponents a total of 12 sacks (tied for 1st NFL with Broncos). At one point during the
season the Titans went five consecutive games without allowing a single sack.
As such, expect the Titans and Kerry Collins to be patient and mistake free. Collins is
not all that spectacular, but at the same time he's no Tony Romo nor will he force the ball
like Pennington did last week.
In addition, the Ravens defense will need to contain a strong set of running backs, tight ends and wide
receivers. Expect, the Titans to utilize play-action to keep the Ravens defense on their toes with short dumps
to their tight ends which in turn will free up their receivers and backs.
On defense, the Titans may not dominate but they will force the Ravens into more field goals than touchdowns
which will make it a close game.
For the Ravens to win, it will be up to their defense to play a great game and force Kerry Collins into mistakes
much like in Super Bowl XXXV when Collins was a member of the Giants.
Expect the game to be a close, but it will not be back-and-forth as the Titans will lead from the get-go.
Plus the Titans know how to win as the team was 4-1 in games decided by seven points or less this season.
NFL WILD CARD WEEKEND RESULTS – JANUARY 3-4
(Home team in CAPS)
Saturday, January 3
ARIZONA 30, Atlanta 24
SAN DIEGO 23, Indianapolis 17 (OT)
Sunday, January 4
Baltimore 27, MIAMI 9
Philadelphia 26, MINNESOTA 14
DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS SCHEDULE – JANUARY 10-11
(All times Eastern)
Saturday, January 10
Baltimore at Tennessee, 4:30 PM (CBS)
Arizona at Carolina, 8:15 PM (FOX)
Sunday, January 11
Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants, 1:00 PM (FOX)
San Diego at Pittsburgh, 4:45 PM (CBS)
The Baltimore Ravens had the Miami Dolphins and Chad Pennington under pressure throughout the game as they forced
four interceptions, including one returned 64 yards for a touchdown by Ed Reed.
All four games this weekend -- Ravens vs Titans, Cards vs Panthers, Eagles vs Giants, Chargers vs. Steelers --
are rematches from the regular season. Add up the point differential in the 2008 regular-season meetings of the
teams playing in this weekend's four NFL Divisional Playoffs, and you get the grand total of -- 19 points.
And that's not in four games, but five, because one of this week's matchups is a division rematch. Think the games
in "Rematch Weekend" this Saturday and Sunday could be close? Could be!
Given the choice, the Cardinals would rather throw the ball. However, in last week's 30-24 Wild Card win over the Falcons
it was their defense and running attack which advanced the Cardinals to the next round. The Panthers love running the ball,
but Panthers QB Jake Delhomme was 20-of-28 for 248 yards, 2 TDs with 0 INTs for a 122.3 QB rating against the Cards in the
regular season. How will it all play out, especially in Carolina where the Panthers are undefeated this season?
The top-seeded New York Giants, champions of the NFC East, face their division rival, the Philadelphia Eagles, for
the third time this season with a berth in the NFC Championship Game on the line. The Giants are 7-1 at home this
season while the Eagles are 4-4-1 on the road, including their 26-14 Wild Card victory over the Vikings last week
in Minnesota. The Giants lost to the Vikings in Minnesota 20-19 in their regular season finale. The Eagles have
won 5 of their last 6 while the Giants have lost 3 of their last 4 after an 11-1 start.
When San Diego travels to Pittsburgh on Sunday it will mark the first time in the NFL playoffs since Denver
(top offense) faced Baltimore (top defense) in the 2000 AFC Wild Card round that a conference's top scoring
offense goes against the top scoring defense.
The Chargers rallied from a 17-14 fourth quarter deficit behind an outstanding defensive effort, punter Mike Scifres and the
all-purpose assault by Darren "Tank" Sproles to defeat the Indianapolis Colts, 23-17 in overtime. Sproles played the key
role in the Chargers AFC Wild Card win over Indianapolis, recording 328 all-purpose yards, third-most in an NFL Playoff
game.
The Cardinals defense was sensational, limiting Michael Turner to 42 rushing yards,
harassing Matt Ryan and scoring points on its own with a TD and safety. The offense was also strong as Edgerrin James
led a revitalized Cardinals ground game while Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald made big plays in the passing game.
In one of the most unpredictable and story-filled NFL regular seasons in memory, the road to Tampa Bay, Florida and Super
Bowl XLIII on February 1 begins this Saturday and Sunday with the NFL 2008 Playoffs and Wild Card Weekend. How each of
the NFL Playoff teams got here doesn't matter. Nor does it matter who got in first or who got in last. All that matters
is that they're here and ready to go.
Once teams are ranked for the playoffs, positions do not change:
American Football Conference
1. Tennessee Titans (AFC South Division champion)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (AFC North Division champion)
3. Miami Dolphins (AFC East Division champion)
4. San Diego Chargers (AFC West Division champion)
5. Indianapolis Colts
6. Baltimore Ravens
National Football Conference
1. New York Giants (NFC East Division champion)
2. Carolina Panthers (NFC South Division champion)
3. Minnesota Vikings (NFC North Division champion)
4. Arizona Cardinals (NFC West Division champion)
5. Atlanta Falcons
6. Philadelphia Eagles
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The Rookie RB amassed 1,228 yards rushing this season
