Joe Flacco showed a steady, veteran-like hand in his first NFL playoff start. He's a much better quarterback than he was when he threw two interceptions in the Ravens' regular-season game against the Titans. Tennessee's secondary poses a greater challenge than the one he faced against Miami, but Flacco should be up to it.
Le'Ron McClain wore down Miami's defensive front before Willis McGahee finally tore off a 48-yard run on the clinching fourth-quarter drive. It won't be quite that easy against the Titans, especially if behemoth tackle Albert Haynesworth has recovered from his knee injury. But McClain and McGahee did well when the teams last met.
It was the Derrick Mason Show in the regular season, and nothing has changed in the playoffs. Mason led the Ravens with four catches against the Dolphins. The Titans can focus on stopping him, which could cause Flacco to try to force throws in his direction. Mark Clayton and tight end Todd Heap are dependable but unspectacular.
It's easy to run the ball effectively behind an outstanding interior trio of center Jason Brown and guards Ben Grubbs and Chris Chester. The Ravens' line did get some pretty good push when it last faced Haynesworth and the rest of the Titans' defensive front. Flacco was well protected against Miami and against Tennessee.
Nose tackle Haloti Ngata was at his very best against the Dolphins, leading an effort that made Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams invisible. He and the rest of Baltimore's front three did a superb job of shutting down Johnson and White in the regular season, but doing that back-to-back is asking a lot. So is getting consistent pressure on Collins.
Even if the Titans' blockers contain Ngata and the rest of Baltimore's defensive line, there's no stopping this incredible crew of linebackers. Ray Lewis was his dominant self against Miami, making plays everywhere. Bart Scott and Suggs also caused their share of havoc. This group already proved it's athletic enough to handle Johnson's speed and White's power.
Free safety Ed Reed continues to show the freakish skills that make him the very best at his position. His two interceptions of Pennington should give Collins plenty to think about. The Titans have no pass-catchers requiring Reed's undivided attention, so he can focus on playing the ball. Cornerback Fabian Washington is a playmaker.
Matt Stover's reliability continued with his two-for-two field-goal performance against the Dolphins. He's unshakable in the postseason. Punter Sam Koch did a nice job of preventing Miami from getting any good drive starts. But the Ravens face an enormous challenge against Chris Carr, who helped the Titans rank first in the NFL in kickoff returns.
John Harbaugh certainly didn't look like a first-time head coach in the playoffs. Cam Cameron's smash-mouth offense exploited the Dolphins' defensive weaknesses. Rex Ryan's aggressive defense made Chad Pennington a turnover machine. Tennessee's defense is much harder to run against and their offensive line is much better than the one the Ravens encountered in Miami.
As they demonstrated against Miami, the Ravens have exactly what it takes to succeed in the postseason -- a dominant defense. The unit overwhelmed the most efficient quarterback in the league, and should present problems for Collins. Their running game is a perfect complement, as is Flacco, who can also make plays when necessary.
Kerry Collins' patience and efficiency were crucial to his leading the Titans to a 13-3 record after he replaced injured Vince Young. Collins' lack of mobility makes him particularly vulnerable against the Ravens' fierce pass rush, but he can't afford to get rattled the way Chad Pennington did -- especially when throwing over middle.
Star rookie Chris Johnson ran for only 44 yards as the Ravens stuffed Tennessee's ground game in the regular season. It won't be any easier this time. Johnson has extraordinary speed and LenDale White is a powerful and explosive complement. But even in likely passing situations, the Ravens' front seven always attacks with an eye on the ballcarrier.
Justin Gage is the best deep threat, leading the team with six touchdown catches, and Brandon Jones is solid. However, Collins' go-to targets are tight end Bo Scaife, who had a game-high seven catches in the previous game against Baltimore, and Johnson. The Ravens don't mind giving up shorter routes while preventing the longer stuff.
This group paved the way for 2,001 combined rushing yards by Johnson and White, and kept Collins mostly upright. Kevin Mawae, one of the best centers in the NFL, is expected to be sidelined with an elbow injury. There's a big drop-off with his replacement, young Leroy Harris. Michael Roos is a Pro Bowl tackle, but blocking Terrell Suggs is a chore.
When Haynesworth is healthy, there isn't a better defensive tackle in the game. He's practicing this week, but even if he plays, how well will his knee allow him to perform and is he going to finish the game? End Kyle Vanden Bosch, who has been sidelined with a groin-muscle injury, is also back on the field, but his effectiveness is a question.
Outside linebacker Keith Bulluck is always around the ball and provides a great deal of savvy and leadership to this unit. He doesn't get to the quarterback often, but he can do his share as a pass-rusher and in coverage to make Flacco uneasy and confused. Middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch is a good run-stuffer. David Thornton, the other outside linebacker, is solid.
Cornerbacks Cortland Finnegan and Nick Harper are talented enough to handle Mason and Clayton one-on-one. They also can hold their own in run support, which is particularly helpful with the Ravens' persistent running game. Michael Griffin and Chris Hope are well-rounded safeties who do a nice job against the run as well as in deep coverage.
Carr is a game-changer. Placekicker Rob Bironas wasn't as vital as he was during his Pro Bowl season last year because the Titans produced more touchdowns, but he remains a key factor -- especially in a likely defensive struggle. His four field-goal misses were between 40 and 49 yards. Craig Hentrich is among the NFL's best at putting punts inside the 20.
Jeff Fisher long ago established himself as one of the very best coaches in the league. The postseason is hardly unfamiliar territory for him. The Titans have the brain power to cope with whatever the Ravens throw at them. Jim Schwartz is one of the NFL's top defensive coordinators, and Mike Heimerdinger has done a masterful job with Collins.
With a strong defense and running game, the Titans are built to go the distance. But there are health concerns with key members of both lines. Against an ordinary opponent, that might not necessarily be a problem, but the Ravens aren't ordinary. Playing at home is an advantage, although Baltimore seems immune to road challenges.
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