| Technically, the Super Bowl is scheduled to be
played Jan. 28 in Tampa, Fla. But really, the big game is being played this Sunday in
Nashville Tenn. Their nicknames aren’t traditional, but their style of play is.
I’m talking Ravens-Titans, baby. You can throw out the records when these teams hook
up.
But if you did, you wouldn’t know that the teams rank 1-2 in the league. Tennessee
finished 13-3 — for the second year in a row, mind you — and Baltimore 12-4.
The Ravens actually own the tiebreaker over fellow 12-game winners Oakland and the
Giants based on conference record. Because of a quirk in the schedule (remember, the AFC
Central has six teams), Baltimore played one more conference game, finishing with 10 wins.
That’s one more than the Giants and two more than the Raiders.
Hence, Sunday’s so-called divisional playoff game is actually a battle of the
league’s best. And believe me, I’m not the only one to say that.
Both teams have what wins championships — top-notch defenses and running games. If
you don’t have both, you won’t last long in the playoffs.
Statistically, the Titans finished with the No. 1-ranked defense (238.4), with the
Ravens second (247.9). But Baltimore has vehemently disputed those numbers, citing their
NFL record for fewest points allowed in a 16-game season, 165.
But the Titans allowed 191 points, only four points more than the old record-holder,
the 1986 Bears, who surrendered 187 points. Yet, almost everyone is saying the Ravens have
the best defense since the Monsters of the Midway.
And it’s ticking the Titans off.
No one has said as much publicly, but rest assured, the Titans’ players do not
like the fact that their defense hasn’t been mentioned in the same breath as the
Ravens’ defense. And that should make for some good theater Sunday.
Both teams also possess top-10 running games. Baltimore finished fifth in the league in
rushing yards per game (137.4), with Tennessee seventh (130.3).
Both teams have bruising, straight-ahead runners in Jamal Lewis and Eddie George.
Lewis’ 1,364 yards led the Ravens and ranked sixth in the AFC. George’s 1,509
yards led the Titans and ranked second in the conference.
But these runners do more than just run. They are exceptional pass catchers, as running
backs go. George has improved his receiving skills over the last few seasons and even had
a 100-yard-receiving game in Week 13. Lewis entered the league with an impressive track
record as a receiver in college.
They will undoubtedly be the featured attractions on offense.
Unless the defenses have something to say about it.
That’s where this game will be won — on defense. Don’t forget, it was a
tackle by LB Mike Jones that clinched Super Bowl XXXIV for the Rams last season. The
73-yard TD pass from Kurt Warner to Isaac Bruce only gave St. Louis the lead. Jones closed
it out.
One of these defenses will do just that Sunday and consequently earn a Super Bowl title
— in my mind, at least. |
