Ravens Look to Relive 2000 Super Bowl Run
Expect a defensive battle in the first divisional NFL playoff game Saturday. Baltimore takes their NFL’s second best defence into Tennessee who own the NFL’s seventh ranked defence.
I just finished watching the end of the week 5 matchup between these two teams with the Titans winning 13-10. Both teams look better now than they did then. Joe Flacco looked like a rookie in that game, not now. Near the end of that game Tennessee had one long drive which the Baltimore defence looked gassed, especially Ed Reed. Ed Reed is playing great now, he is all over the field. I thought he was robbed for not winning AP Defensive Player of the Year. I even thought he could have gotten some MVP voting considerations.
This will be the third time these two teams have met in the playoffs, having split the previous two games with the road team winning each time. The Titans won 20-17 in a 2003 AFC Wild Card game. The Ravens earned a 24-10 win in a 2000 AFC Divisional Playoff game en route to their Super Bowl Championship.
I would like to see Baltimore come out throwing the ball in their first few series. My feeling is that this would really open up the run game for them instead of trying to run the ball right away. I still think both teams will be dedicated to the run game will help to chew up the clock thus keeping the game low scoring.
Two things are working against Baltimore right now. The Ravens had their bye in week 2, so it is just like they have played an entire season without a bye week and they are also coming off a short week having played Sunday in Miami. You have to wonder if these two factors will have an effect on the Ravens late in this game. Even taking both of these factors into consideration I still like Baltimore to be able to handle Tennessee. I think the Raven’s defence will be able to hold the Titan’s running attack and I just don’t see Kerry Collins being able to accomplish much through the air. If Baltimore can force some third and longs, they will have a great chance to generate some turnovers. A big play or two could be the difference in this one. I’m expecting the big plays from the Baltimore defence.
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