They’re twins, but it’s tough to tell based on the strategies they use on the football field.
“Our coverages and blitzes are different,” Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan said. “So there’s really not a whole lot of similarities, which is kind of unusual. We do a couple of things they do, but overall, it’s maybe 10 percent of the calls.”
Meantime, more than 3,000 west of Owings Mills, Rob Ryan, the defensive coordinator for the Raiders, wasn’t as politically correct when answering the same question from the Bay area media.
“I keep quiet and like to be a professional,” Rob said. “He’s an arrogant (expletive). Other than that, he has some big bullies to stand behind, just like I do. But great players make great defenses, and two of the best defenses in the league are going to show up Sunday.”
But when the Ravens (4-3) and Raiders (2-4) meet this afternoon at 1, the 45-year-old brothers each will be seeking a victory as their father Buddy Ryan — a former long-time NFL coach — watches the game along with an expected capacity crowd of more than 70,000 and a national television audience on CBS.
“We were really close and we still are close and with dad’s profession we always took our best friend with us when we moved,” Rex Ryan said of Buddy, who was the defensive coordinator for Chicago when it won Super Bowl XX. “It’s going to be great to get a chance to see Rob before the game and to have our dad be on the sidelines for a few minutes. But, when the ball is kicked off, [Rob’s] like anyone else and we won’t care about each other then.”
Sunday’s game represents a crossroads for the Ryans. Rex, who interviewed for several head coach jobs, including with the Ravens, is viewed as a future head coach who will follow in the footsteps of Jack Del Rio, Marvin Lewis and Mike Nolan — Ravens assistant coaches who were hired as NFL head coaches.
Rob, however, isn’t viewed in the same light. During the offseason, Lane Kiffin — then the team’s coach who was fired earlier this month and replaced by Tom Cable — wanted to relieve Ryan of his duties after the Raiders allowed 398 points, which was 66 more from the previous season. But Raiders owner Al Davis overruled Kiffin and retained Ryan for a fifth season.
“It’s been important to have [Rob] for the simple reason that it’s got his hand print on it, and those guys go out and they play for him,” Cable said. They like the scheme. I think there’s a lot of camaraderie with the coaches and players on that side of the ball, so it’s been invaluable in terms of having him here and just keeping the thing moving forward.”
Ravens cornerback Fabian Washington knows both coordinators very well. Washington played for Rob Ryan for three seasons before the Raiders dealt the former first-round draft pick to Baltimore after they traded for Atlanta cornerback DeAngelo Hall.
“This is a much better situation for me,” Washington said. “Here, you’re pretty much allowed to just go out and play football, [and you] don’t worry about anything else.”
But Oakland’s defense still is struggling. The Raiders, who defeated the Jets, 13-10, in overtime, have the 26th ranked total defense (360.5) and are 23rd in points allowed per game (24.7) and 10th with 16 sacks. Baltimore, which is coming off a 27-13 win at Miami, has the NFL’s second ranked total defense (243.8 yards per game) and is first against the run (67.2 ypg).
“They’re playing hard and statistically it doesn’t show you how hard they’re playing,” Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said. “They’re going to line up with a safety in the middle, cover you man-to-man and get after the quarterback and they do a nice job of it.”
THREE KEYS TO A RAVENS’ WIN
1. Don’t get burned on special teams. The Raiders have a solid return specialist in Johnny Lee Higgins, who averages 25.2 yards a kickoff return and 10.4 yards a put return. If the game remains close, kicker Sebastian Janikowski is capable of nailing a field goal from just about anywhere as he split the uprights on a 57-yard attempt to lead Oakland to a 16-13 overtime win over the New York Jets. Ravens kicker Matt Stover has made his past three field goal attempts and Sam Koch leads the NFL with a 42.9 net punting average a 42.9 yards.
2. Win the battle on the ground. The Raiders rely heavily on their rushing attack, as they are fifth in the NFL in average rushing yards per game (143). Rookie Darren McFadden has rushed for 341 yards and a touchdown on 67 carries. But the Ravens have the stingiest rushing defense in the league, allowing just 67.2 yards per game and have not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 25 straight regular season games. Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell, who has completed just 51.2 percent of his passes, hasn’t shown he can beat a top-tier defense by himself.
3. Keep the balanced attack going on offense. The Ravens played their best game of the season in a 27-13 victory over the Dolphins, which included rookie quarterback Joe Flacco throwing for 232 yards. The team rushed for 140 yards, including a season-high 105 yards rushing from running back Willis McGahee. The Raiders rank 26th in total defense (360.5 yards per game).
Prediction
The Raiders will have a big play on special teams, and possibly a long field goals from Janikowski. But Russell will struggle against the Ravens, who could score another defensive touchdown. Look for Flacco to play well for the second straight week. RAVENS 17, RAIDERS 10
RAVENS (3-3) vs. RAIDERS (2-4)
» When: Sunday, 1 p.m.
» Where: M&T Bank Stadium
» TV/Radio: WJZ-13/1090 AM, 97.9 FM
