Ravens v Titans

Baltimore Ravens v Tennesse Titans

Ravens Offense v Titans Defense:

Joe Flacco had a so-so start to his playoff career last week, going 9/23 with 135 yards, with no touchdowns or interceptions thrown. While Miami's defense is good, they are no where near the defense of the Titans. The Titans gave up the 2nd least points per game this year, giving up only 14.6. They were also very strong agaisnt the run and the pass, finishing in the top 10 in both of those categories. Agaisnt the Dolphins, Flacco was able to just manage the game, and let his defense swallow up the Dolphins offense. This week, if the Ravens hope to pull the upset, he'll have to make some plays down the field and make the Titans defense respect the pass.

Last time these two teams played, Flacco finished 18/27 for 153 yards and 2 interceptions. However, that was early in the season. Flacco has matured since then, and should be able to improve his numbers the second time around. Neither Willis McGahee or LaRon McClain had good days running the ball last time the two teams played, combing for a little over 100 yards on 33 carries. 

ADVANTAGE: TITANS

Titans Offense vs the Ravens Defense:

The Ravens defense is almost an offense within itself. It can force teams to punt, giving the offense great field position, it can create turnovers, and it can take those turnovers to the house. Ed Reed came up big last week, with 2 interceptions and he took 1 back for a touchdown. This Ravens defense is playing alot like the one that took them all the way to the Super Bowl not to long ago. Last time these defense took on the Titans, they held them to 3 points thru 3 quarters, only to give up 10 in the 4th. 

The Titans offense is not a flashy, trick show offense. They like to run the ball with their two stud running backs, Chris Johnson and Lendale White. They are like thunder and lighting, with White getting the tough yards up the middle, and Johnson being able to strike quick, and take any run into the endzone. Kerry Collins, who took over for Vince Young early in the season, has been effective, and when he last played the Ravens, he managed to go 17/23 for 163 yards and 1 touchdown, with 2 interceptions. 

ADVANTAGE: RAVENS

Anaylsis:

All year, the Titans were considered the top team in the league. However, not many people thought of them as a playoff contender. Teams like Indianapolis and Pittsburgh got more buzz then they did, despite finishin 13-3. Now is the Titans chance to prove they were no fluke. But it will be hard to do agaisnt this Ravens team. The Ravens defense is playing great right now, and Flacco has come along considerably since he last saw the Titans. Last time these two teams played, the Titans won on a long touchdown drive in the last 2 minutes of the game, to win by 3. However, the drive was only kept alive by a controversal roughing the passer call. This game should come down to the wire, and it is going to be  long scoring affair. In the end, I think that the Ravens defense does a little more then the Titans, and Flacco improves from the last meeting with the Titans.

Pick: Ravens