This is how bad it was defensively for the Ravens against the Titans: They had so many players injured they had to scrap their gameplan and hope for the best in the biggest game of the season.
“We didn’t have enough guys to put out there at times in our packages,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “[Defensive coordinator] Rex Ryan figured out exactly how to position those guys and where to put them. It was just great coaching on the fly.”
Points allowed: Third (15.2 per game) Total yards: Second (261.1 per game) Passing yards: Second (179.7 per game) Rushing yards: Third (81.4 per game) Interceptions: First (26 total)
Ryan had no choice after cornerback Fabian Washington injured his shoulder, linebacker Terrell Suggs sprained his right shoulder and cornerback Samari Rolle limped off the field with a groin injury.
“It was a heavyweight fight,” Suggs said. “We would have been happy if nobody got injured, but it was a dogfight and there was a lot of blood shed.”
The injuries prevented the Ravens from using their unusual coverage schemes, which included dropping defensive tackle Haloti Ngata into the secondary, or blitzing undersized safety Jim Leonhard from the secondary.
The defense gave up numerous small plays, but its ability to make three big ones overshadowed the Titans amassing 391 yards, including 116 on the ground.
“We always have got one philosophy to this defense,” linebacker Ray Lewis said. “If they don’t score, they don’t win.”
Rolle intercepted Kerry Collins to end a drive midway through the second quarter, and Jim Leonhard scooped up LenDale White’s fumble deep in Ravens’ territory to end a drive with 36 seconds remaining in the half. Then, in the fourth quarter, with the Ravens clinging to a three-point lead, Leonhard forced tight end Alge Crumpler as he neared the goal line, with the Ravens recovering on the 1-yard line.
“It’s about playing a physical football game and causing turnovers,” said safety Ed Reed. “In crunch time like this, ball security is huge on either side of the ball. It just bounced our way.”
Responded Collins: “It really just comes down to missed opportunities. We had the opportunities and for whatever reason we didn’t take advantage of them like we needed to.”
Washington, Rolle and Suggs are optimistic they’ll be in the lineup when the Ravens plays Pittsburgh in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday night at 6:30.
“The only way I wouldn’t be there is if I didn’t have air in my lungs,” Suggs said. “I will see you Sunday.”
