BroncoAV06
01-08-2009, 10:35 PM
Saturday 4:30pm EST CBS
#6 Baltimore at #1 Tennessee
Smash mouth football is on the slate for this weekends contest between the Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans. Each team will come out of their corner swinging hey makers in the forms of defense. The Ravens have found a nice grove as the #6 seed, their defense is being compared to the 2000 Super Bowl winning unit, and the offense lead by Joe Flacco and company is doing just enough to keep up the pace. The Titans on the other hand have flown under the radar a bit for a #1 seed after their 1st round bye and sluggish finish to the season. RB Chris Johnson is not at a lose for words and attention however with his comments a week ago stating that he, not Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan should have been rookie of the year, (251att-1,228yds-9TD's, 43 rec-260yds-1 TD). C.J. is going to have to be a steeler rookie this weekend in Nashville as the Titans face the fierce Ravens D.
When the Titans Have the Ball:
Not expecting a lot of offense in this match-up. Tennessee's bread and butter is the run game, Smash and Dash combined for 2,001 yards and 24 TD's on the season, while Kerry Collins has kept the ball away from the opposing team (7 INT's) and tried to keep the defenses honest (12 TD's).. TE Bo Scaife was the main target for Collins this season with 58 rec, and the Ravens know this and are ready. Earlier today (Thursday) on PTI Ravens LB Bart Scott said that in the first meeting between these teams in the regular season ( BAL 10 TEN 13) they did not realize how important Scafie was in the Titans offensive game plan and that this weekend they will be ready. Not to good to hear when the second leading receiver in terms of receptions is RB Chris Johnson with 43, on a team that's lacked a threat at wide-out since Derek Mason. Tennessee has a good combo to attack and pound the Ravens D but with center Kevin Mawae out Baltimore should be able to bring multiple looks up to the line putting pressure on back up Leroy Harris to make the right line calls before the snap. The Titans are going to need some sort of big play from the pass and or screen game to spark them. But we saw what happened last week when a team not used to making plays through the air is forced to (4 Chad Pennington INT's). Tennessee can not afford any turnovers if they wish to win this game.
Advantage: Ravens Defense. They are rolling, Ed Reed is a football magnet, and that LB core will not let this defense lack intensity or not be ready for what ever Tennessee will throw at them.
When the Ravens Have the Ball:
As discussed last week Baltimore is lead by Le'Ron McClain and Willis McGahee. A run first offense against the Titans 6th ranked rush defense (93.9yds/g). Tennessee will have two huge pieces back in DT Albert Haynesworth and DE Kyle Vanden Bosh to help plug the middle and counter the pounding that Baltimore will look to hand out on the ground. While Albert might not be 100% coming back from the knee injury he and Vanden Bosh should still prove to be enough to force Baltimore to the air a few more times then they would like to make some plays. Pro Bowl CB Cortland Finnegan will be all over Flacco's favorite target wide-out Derek Mason who had four of Flacco's nine completions last week against the Dolphins, meaning Joe is going to have to expand his vision and look for TE Todd Heap or WR Mark Clayton for some plays. Troy Smith will also see a few snaps behind center to try and spice things up with some draws and a trick play or two. But still the Ravens will find it hard sledding on offense.
Advantage: Tennessee Defense. Set the tone for the Titans all season. No rookie QB has ever won two playoff games and Joe Flacco has not exactly light up the world as of late, he just has not imploded either. Titans at home will hold their own.
So Where Will This Game Be Decided?
3rd downs. It is going to be very important for either offense to sustain what they can of their drives. The punters are sure to get a work out and it could be a very long day if it is a three and out contest. Baltimore is converting 41% of the time on third down while they are holding opponents to 33%. Tennessee converts on 36% of theirs and the opponents 35% of the time. Why is this so important? With extended drives it means more of a chance to put points on the board or at least get in field goal range. Both teams have top notch kickers, Rod Bironas and his booming leg for the Titans and the ever efficient Matt Stover for the Birds. Points will be at a premium and these two can put them up.
Game Changers:
Last Week I went with S Ed Reed for the Raves, the defense is sure to leave its mark on this game but my game changer this week for Baltimore is TE Todd Heap. Quite season, bugged by injuries, but he can catch the ball and Mason is sure to be blanketed. A few receptions across the middle, couple red zone targets and a possible TD, huge game breakers for the Ravens offense if Flacco can locate Heap over the middle.
TE Todd Heap #86
Super Sleepers: KR Yamon Figures/Tom Zbikowski
RB Chris Johnson #28
The best player on offense for the Titans. They are going to have to find some way to get C.J. into space to use his ability and speed to make big plays. White better be ready to pound some yards out ahead of C.J. Tennessee like I said is going to need a big play to get them over the top.
Sleeper: WR Justin Gage
Conclusion:
The Titans are a solid football team and are sure to match blows with the Ravens. But what leads me to choose Baltimore is the defense's ability to score after forcing a turnover (They have sucked me into the hype this week). FG's, a rushing TD and a big play on defense is how I see the scoring going. So edge Ravens. Joe Flacco wins his 2nd playoff game and the defense sets itself up for a chance to be forever compared to the 200 squad.
BAL 20 TEN 9
#6 Baltimore at #1 Tennessee
Smash mouth football is on the slate for this weekends contest between the Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans. Each team will come out of their corner swinging hey makers in the forms of defense. The Ravens have found a nice grove as the #6 seed, their defense is being compared to the 2000 Super Bowl winning unit, and the offense lead by Joe Flacco and company is doing just enough to keep up the pace. The Titans on the other hand have flown under the radar a bit for a #1 seed after their 1st round bye and sluggish finish to the season. RB Chris Johnson is not at a lose for words and attention however with his comments a week ago stating that he, not Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan should have been rookie of the year, (251att-1,228yds-9TD's, 43 rec-260yds-1 TD). C.J. is going to have to be a steeler rookie this weekend in Nashville as the Titans face the fierce Ravens D.
When the Titans Have the Ball:
Not expecting a lot of offense in this match-up. Tennessee's bread and butter is the run game, Smash and Dash combined for 2,001 yards and 24 TD's on the season, while Kerry Collins has kept the ball away from the opposing team (7 INT's) and tried to keep the defenses honest (12 TD's).. TE Bo Scaife was the main target for Collins this season with 58 rec, and the Ravens know this and are ready. Earlier today (Thursday) on PTI Ravens LB Bart Scott said that in the first meeting between these teams in the regular season ( BAL 10 TEN 13) they did not realize how important Scafie was in the Titans offensive game plan and that this weekend they will be ready. Not to good to hear when the second leading receiver in terms of receptions is RB Chris Johnson with 43, on a team that's lacked a threat at wide-out since Derek Mason. Tennessee has a good combo to attack and pound the Ravens D but with center Kevin Mawae out Baltimore should be able to bring multiple looks up to the line putting pressure on back up Leroy Harris to make the right line calls before the snap. The Titans are going to need some sort of big play from the pass and or screen game to spark them. But we saw what happened last week when a team not used to making plays through the air is forced to (4 Chad Pennington INT's). Tennessee can not afford any turnovers if they wish to win this game.
Advantage: Ravens Defense. They are rolling, Ed Reed is a football magnet, and that LB core will not let this defense lack intensity or not be ready for what ever Tennessee will throw at them.
When the Ravens Have the Ball:
As discussed last week Baltimore is lead by Le'Ron McClain and Willis McGahee. A run first offense against the Titans 6th ranked rush defense (93.9yds/g). Tennessee will have two huge pieces back in DT Albert Haynesworth and DE Kyle Vanden Bosh to help plug the middle and counter the pounding that Baltimore will look to hand out on the ground. While Albert might not be 100% coming back from the knee injury he and Vanden Bosh should still prove to be enough to force Baltimore to the air a few more times then they would like to make some plays. Pro Bowl CB Cortland Finnegan will be all over Flacco's favorite target wide-out Derek Mason who had four of Flacco's nine completions last week against the Dolphins, meaning Joe is going to have to expand his vision and look for TE Todd Heap or WR Mark Clayton for some plays. Troy Smith will also see a few snaps behind center to try and spice things up with some draws and a trick play or two. But still the Ravens will find it hard sledding on offense.
Advantage: Tennessee Defense. Set the tone for the Titans all season. No rookie QB has ever won two playoff games and Joe Flacco has not exactly light up the world as of late, he just has not imploded either. Titans at home will hold their own.
So Where Will This Game Be Decided?
3rd downs. It is going to be very important for either offense to sustain what they can of their drives. The punters are sure to get a work out and it could be a very long day if it is a three and out contest. Baltimore is converting 41% of the time on third down while they are holding opponents to 33%. Tennessee converts on 36% of theirs and the opponents 35% of the time. Why is this so important? With extended drives it means more of a chance to put points on the board or at least get in field goal range. Both teams have top notch kickers, Rod Bironas and his booming leg for the Titans and the ever efficient Matt Stover for the Birds. Points will be at a premium and these two can put them up.
Game Changers:
Last Week I went with S Ed Reed for the Raves, the defense is sure to leave its mark on this game but my game changer this week for Baltimore is TE Todd Heap. Quite season, bugged by injuries, but he can catch the ball and Mason is sure to be blanketed. A few receptions across the middle, couple red zone targets and a possible TD, huge game breakers for the Ravens offense if Flacco can locate Heap over the middle.
TE Todd Heap #86
Super Sleepers: KR Yamon Figures/Tom Zbikowski
RB Chris Johnson #28
The best player on offense for the Titans. They are going to have to find some way to get C.J. into space to use his ability and speed to make big plays. White better be ready to pound some yards out ahead of C.J. Tennessee like I said is going to need a big play to get them over the top.
Sleeper: WR Justin Gage
Conclusion:
The Titans are a solid football team and are sure to match blows with the Ravens. But what leads me to choose Baltimore is the defense's ability to score after forcing a turnover (They have sucked me into the hype this week). FG's, a rushing TD and a big play on defense is how I see the scoring going. So edge Ravens. Joe Flacco wins his 2nd playoff game and the defense sets itself up for a chance to be forever compared to the 200 squad.
BAL 20 TEN 9