AFC Divisional: Ravens vs Titans – The Ultimate Defensive Matchup?

Two of the NFL’s defensive juggernauts going at it, this is football at its finest! These teams are no strangers, the heated rivalry has included an early Titan boot from the playoffs by the Ravens in 2000, as well as a return of the favor 3 years later with an early Ravens boot by the Titans. Here are the key numbers on this Saturday’s AFC Divisional game:

• BAL 11-5
• TEN 13-3

• BAL 5-3 Road Record
• TEN 7-1 Home Record

• BAL 4th Rush Offense, 11th Offense overall
• TEN 7th Rush Offense, 14th Offense overall

• BAL 3rd best Defense overall (points allowed)
• TEN 2nd best Defense overall (points allowed)

• Neither team throws passes, BAL 27th and TEN 28th in league

Key Players: TEN- Albert Hanynesworth, Kyle Vanden Bosch both return. Need to play big.

Key Players: BAL - Joe Flacco, Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, and Terrell Suggs will be difference makers.

This season: Week 5, Titans pulled off a 13-10 win on a TD pass with under 2:00 left

Question Marks:

- Will the bye week provide a well-rested Titans team, or will they lack the intensity from being away from the game an extra week?

- Will Haynesworth and Vanden Bosch  be close to full strength and make a huge impact?

Predictions: This game will be very tight. Chris Johnson/LenDale White vs. LeRon McClain/Willis McGahee are an even wash. The defenses are a wash as well. The difference will be the QB play and which ever team makes the extra turnover. Kerry Collins will be shut down. Joe Flacco provides enough offense, and the Baltimore Defense steps it up.

Baltimore wins a close one 16-13.