The Ravens know they can play with the Tennessee Titans.
Now, they need to prove they can beat them.
The Ravens lost to the Titans, 13-10, on Oct. 12 in M&T Bank Stadium, but they have a chance to win the game that matters most when they arrive in LP Stadium in Nashville to face the Titans (13-3) in the divisional round on Saturday afternoon at 4:30 on CBS.
“What makes them so good is that they have great talent, great coaches, play football the fundamental way,” Coach John Harbaugh said. “They can run the ball, they stop the run they play good defense and good special teams and block and tackle. They are just a great fundamental team across the board.”
When: Saturday, 4:30 p.m.
Where: LP Field, Nashville, Tenn.
TV/Radio: WJZ-13/1090 AM, 97.9 FM
The Ravens found that out the hard way, when the Titans put together an 11-play, 80-yard drive capped by a decisive, 11-yard touchdown pass from Kerry Collins to Alge Crumpler with a minute, 56 seconds remaining. But the Titans also got some help during their winning drive, as linebacker Terrell Suggs’ 15-yard rouging the passer penalty on a third down kept the drive alive.
But that’s moot. The Ravens have played 16 games in as many weeks and are prepared to face the top-seeded Titans, who feature a defense ranked seventh in yards per game (293.6), fifth in sacks (44) and sixth in interceptions (20).
“They have played well all year,” quarterback Joe Flacco said. “They have a bunch of veterans, they know how to play the game. They have been in this situation before. We have played them earlier in the season, and we are ready to get back down there and play them in their house.”
But, the Ravens defense is pretty good, too. Baltimore forced the Dolphins into a season-high five turnovers, including four interceptions of quarterback Chad Pennington, who threw just seven during the regular season.
“What happens is when you get down, you start to play in their hands because they can start getting you different pressure and they can start taking chances they normally wouldn’t if they were in a tight game,” Pennington said.
The Ravens will face a similar challenge as Pennington on Saturday in Titans quarterback Kerry Collins, who also threw just seven interceptions this season. The 14-year veteran completed 242-of-415 passes for 2,676 yards and 12 touchdowns and is a win away from becoming the first quarterback to win a postseason game for three teams.
“He’s a veteran quarterback,” Harbaugh said. “He’s better than he’s ever been in his career, not because of the fact that he doesn’t turn the ball over, but because he makes throws. He stands in the pocket, he’s very courageous and obviously they’re a great football team.”
