NFL Week 5: Tennessee Titans vs. Baltimore Ravens

The undefeated Titans meet the powerful Ravens defense

Titans vs. Ravens Overview:

The warzone that is the AFC has been unpredictable, and the previous 2007-08 season bears little influence on this 2008 campaign. The Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens are both riding waves of momentum and are lighting their respective divisions on fire. The Tennessee Titans are 4-0 while the Baltimore Ravens are 2-1. Both teams are mirror images of each other with great defenses and powerful running games. 

Tennessee Titans Offense:

Vince Young may be out of the lineup, but veteran QB Kerry Collins is doing a great job of managing the game. The true heroes of the Tennessee Titans are the running backs LenDale White and Chris Johnson. LenDale White is a powerful load of a runner while Chris Johnson is always the fastest player on the field. The Tennessee Titans offensive line is a combination of veteran leadership and young talent. The Tennessee Titans receivers are mediocre, but a group of tight ends featuring Alge Crumpler and Bo Scaife is the main weaponry in the passing game.

Tennessee Titans Defense:

The Tennessee Titans defense is built around the black hole that is DT Albert Haynesworth. Possibly the best talent at the defensive tackle position in the NFL, Albert Haynesworth is also one of the most aggressive players in football. The presence of Albert Haynesworth enables DE Kyle Vanden Bosch to pursue the passer. OLBs David Thorton and Keith Bullock are speedy tacklers at the next level. S Michael Griffin and CB Courtland Finnegan are evolving into true NFL superstars and force turnovers left and right.

Baltimore Ravens Offense:

Rookie QB Joe Flacco is playing his role as game manager well and has the talent to grow past that. Like the Tennessee Titans, the Baltimore Ravens are a running team at heart. Even with injuries to RB Willis McGahee, the Baltimore Ravens still find a ton of rushing yards in RB/FB La’Ron McClain. TE Todd Heap is still trying to come back from injury but is a gamebreaker when healthy. The Baltimore Ravens also lack any great wideouts, but Derrick Mason is a consistent veteran. The Baltimore Ravens offensive line is young but huge in size.

Baltimore Ravens Defense:

Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan is the defensive mind of his generation and meshes multiple formations together in one playbook. The 4-3/3-4 alignment of the Baltimore Ravens keeps opposing players guessing and NT/DE Halotti Ngata is an athletic beast of a man that ties it all together. ILB Ray Lewis will be in the Hall of Fame soon but still puts fear into running backs. OLB/DE Terrell Suggs and OLB Jarrett Johnson are the primary pass rushers. S Ed Reed is the definition of a ballhawk safety and controls whole sections of the field.

Tennessee Titans Keys to Victory:

The running game will be the offensive weapon of choice for both teams, and the Tennessee Titans may have the advantage here. RB LenDale White will use all of his 240-pound body to wear down the Baltimore Ravens defense and gets help from the great Tennessee Titans offensive line. RB Chris Johnson takes advantage of tired defenses with his speed in the running game and on passes. Ray Lewis has been shown to struggle against offensive linemen getting to him on runs, and the Tennessee Titans will get a push on injured NT Kelly Gregg to open lanes.

Albert Haynesworth and DT partner Tony Brown must control the line of scrimmage to stop the offensive gameplan of the Baltimore Ravens. DE Kyle Vanden Bosch also must play well to clog running lanes and get pressure on Joe Flacco. The rookie QB has been playing out of his mind, but Joe Flacco is still a young player prone to mistakes. The Tennessee Titans defense is ranked No. 4 in the NFL for a reason and leads the NFL in turnovers. S Michael Griffin will patrol the secondary looking for any errant passes that the front seven are sure to force.

Baltimore Ravens Keys to Victory:

Running back Willis McGahee should be the focus of the Baltimore Ravens offense but has been dinged up since the NFL season started. La’Ron McClain will spell Willis McGahee, and the pair needs to establish a strong rushing attack. Albert Haynesworth loves to get shots on the QB (legal or not) and protecting Joe Flacco is a top priority. The Baltimore Ravens need a receiver to stand up, and a resurgent Todd Heap could cause matchup problems all over the field. Joe Flacco needs to be careful with the football and must not throw around Courtland Finnegan.

Containing Chris Johnson will be the biggest task for Ray Lewis and company. The Baltimore Ravens are second in the NFL against the run and have been dynamite against power run offenses this season. The size and power of their front seven is the heart of the Baltimore Ravens defense and LenDale White should not be a factor. The athletic safeties of the Baltimore Ravens will have to roam the field to track down Chris Johnson. OLB Terrell Suggs must attack the pocket and get after Kerry Collins to break up the passing game.

Titans vs. Ravens Outlook:

The Baltimore Ravens have the No. 1 defense in the NFL compared to the Tennessee Titans No. 4. The Tennessee Titans lead in the turnover battle is a great advantage to have as turnover differentials are the biggest factors in most games. The running attacks of both teams also produce similar numbers and the difference is negligible. The Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans also share philosophies on both sides of the ball.

As near mirror images of each other, the Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens have no real advantage when it comes to schemes. Mediocre passing games also make things difficult for both teams to move the ball. The only real difference maker in the whole equation is injuries and turnovers. A hobbled Willis McGahee hurts the Baltimore Ravens while a deadly turnover-crazy defense helps the Tennessee Titans. Of the two teams, the Tennessee Titans are better equipped to win what could be a classic smashmouth football game.