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WEEK 11 IN REVIEW |
| Pre Game Analysis: |
Trent Dilfer threw 3 touchdown passes in Cincinnati, ending offensive slide. Ravens seek spot on NFL map,
again No sooner had the Ravens finished celebrating a resurgence of their offense, than they turned their focus to the Tennessee Titans. Much as the matchup in week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars represented a measuring stick, this week's game looms even larger. Tennessee may be the most opportunistic football team to come along in quite some time. The Titans, under head coach Jeff Fisher, seem to crawl along at a snail's pace at times, only to capitalize on that one big play and come out on top. The heart and soul of Tenessee's offense is power running back, Eddie George. With a big game from George, the Titans are Super Bowl candidates. Without it, they are a mediocre team at best. This could indicate glad tidings for the Ravens, who happen to boast to league's best defense against the rush. In the first Titans-Ravens game at PSINet Stadium, Baltimore dominated the yardage and statistical game but committed numerous self-defeating mistakes, otherwise, Tennessee may well have left with their second loss of the season. This week, the Ravens face another huge hurdle that they must overcome. A win over the Titans would represent pride, standing and respect within the league. If the Ravens have learned from the errors of their ways, this is the time to show it. WEEK 11: |
Ravens look to make history Titans have never lost at Adelphia Coliseum Fresh off of tying a dubious record, the
Ravens set their sites on a more positive goal this week:
Beating Tennessee in their own yard. The Titans have not
lost in 12 games since moving into Adelphia Coliseum.
These two teams appear to be evenly matched and have
played as such in the past. If the Ravens can stop Eddie
George, as they have in the past, they provide themselves
with a better than average chance of winning. The key for
Baltimore is to avoid the self-destructive turnovers and
botched opportunities. Tennessee is the type of team that
seizes upon an opponent's mistakes, coverting them into
victories. The Ravens, with all of their talent, are
still the little kids trying to break into the big boy's
club. I look for an inspired, all-out effort both
offensively and defensively. Week 11 Predictions:
(open date: Washington) |
| Post Game Analysis: |
Thriller in Tennessee Week 11:
|
Ravens turn the corner Epic game casts team in new light Seat-squirmer?
Nail-biter? Heart-stopper? I'm not sure if these terms do
justice to the last four or so minutes of the Ravens-Titans
matchup at Adelphia Coliseum. The Ravens jumped out to a
quick 14-0 lead in this game only to see quarterback
Steve McNair pass the Titans back into contention,
setting up the dramatic finish. With the score tied at 17
and nary four minutes to play, linebacker Peter Boulware
blindsided a scrambling McNair, forcing a fumble and a
Ravens recovery at the Titans 22-yard line. Baltimore,
seemingly only needing to run time off of the clock and
set up a game-winning field goal for the reliable Matt
Stover, squandered the opportunity in the worst possible
fashion. Quarterback Trent Dilfer, on a third down play
from the Titans 19, threw the ball directly into the
hands of Tennessee defensive back Perry Phenix, who
returned it 87 yards for a touchdown. Ravens fans had
seen this before, particularly against the Titans. Kicker
Al Del Greco, who had not missed an extra point since
1993, hit the left crossbar on the point after and
Tennessee held a six point lead with 2:30 remaining.
Baltimore's offense retook the field and on an
outstanding scrambling play, Dilfer hit Shannon Sharpe on
a 36-yard pass that brought the Ravens to the Titans 29.
That set up one of the game's most dramatic plays. On a
desperate 4th down pass with under a minute left, Dilfer
lobbed the ball into the end zone for Qadry Ismail.
Ismail was leveled by cornerback Dainon Sidney, who was
called for pass interference, giving the Ravens a first
down at the Titans 2. After a run by Jamal Lewis yielded
no gain, Dilfer spiked the ball on second down, setting
up a 3rd-and-goal with 29 seconds left on the clock. On
third down, Dilfer rolled to his right and found Patrick
Johnson in the corner of the end zone for what appeared
to be a go-ahead touchdown. Complete silence fell over
the Tennessee crowd as the officials reviewed whether or
not Johnson had both feet in bounds. Lady Luck smiled on
the Ravens as the officials upheld the touchdown call,
giving the Ravens a 24-23 lead with 25 ticks remaining.
Steve McNair and the miracle Titans were not quite
finished, however. The fleet-footed Tennessee quarterback
broke several tackles, while scrambling to the Ravens 26-yard
line, calling a time out and setting up the game-winning
field goal for the Titans. As players, coaches and fans
on both sides held their collective breath, Al Del
Greco's kick sailed wide to the right and Baltimore would
accomplish a feat that no other opposing team and not
even Al Gore could manage: A win in Tennessee. |
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