Baltimore Ravens: AFC Divisional Round Preview vs. Tennessee Titans
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 12: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens takes the field prior to the game against the New York Jets at M&T Bank Stadium on December 12, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)
A frisky 9-7 Tennessee Titans team will take on arguably the best team in the NFL in the 14-2 Baltimore Ravens at the Bank.
At this point, the number of awards and accolades the Ravens have set as a team or the amount of all-pros (Five first-team, team record) they have on the roster compared to other teams is extraordinary. That number is eclipsed by the number of pro bowlers Baltimore has (ties league record with 12) and with the league MVP, which is all but wrapped up for Lamar Jackson; the expectations for the Ravens is nothing short of ending this season in Miami (as they started Week 1 in Miami).
Jackson beating Michael Vick‘s record a few weeks ago seems like a distant memory as the Ravens have not played their starters in three weeks with the bye week, as they locked up the first seed in the AFC after Week 16’s win over the Cleveland Browns. Under John Harbaugh, a potential head coach of the year candidate, the Ravens are a team not many thought would be AFC North champions in consecutive years and is now coaching a team with the best record in the NFL. Here are some key factors in an AFC divisional round clash between teams that focus a lot on the run while playing good defense.
The Titans are coming off a wildcard win against the New England Patriots as Derrick Henry ran all over their defense and Ryan Tannehill made just enough throws to beat Tom Brady.
Tannehill, who has reemerged as the Titans starter midway through the season, will have to have a better performance passing against the stingy Ravens defense. The Titans quarterback threw for less than 100 yards in their win against a top secondary of the Patriots and will have another big test against another great secondary; featuring the likes of Earl Thomas, Marlon Humphrey, Marcus Peters, Jimmy Smith, Brandon Carr, and Chuck Clark. The Ravens defense has been through a transformation since October and been one of the best defenses since the Peters trade, as he leads the team in interceptions (tied with three apiece with Humphrey).
The Titans top wide receiver, rookie A.J. Brown, was shut down by All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore to one catch for four yards. Tennessee needs more production in the passing game in order to keep up with the Ravens with how fast their offense scores points early and in a hurry. The Ravens defense blitzes more frequently than almost any other team and Tannehill is one of the better quarterbacks on play-action passes.
Derrick Henry, the league’s finalist in rushing yards, is on a tear the last few weeks of the season.
With over 1,500 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns in less than a full season, Henry is hard to contain once he gets going. The Titans offense features him as he gets a heavy workload in most games, as he carried the ball 34 times for 182 yards and a touchdown against New England. The Ravens defensive backs will have to not be afraid to tackle him on the outside zone runs the Titans like to use.
The interior defensive line with Michael Pierce and Brandon Williams will be in charge of keeping Henry under wraps with runs up the middle. Baltimore’s defense has shored up on their run defense in their win streak since October so they should not let Henry beat them and test Tannehill on making those big-time throws in pressured situations. Matthew Judon should be the main guy getting after Tannehill, as he leads the Ravens in sacks (11).
Tennessee should be worried about the Ravens explosive offense and how they will have to contain them and outscore them quickly with the lack of weapons they have on offense.
One advantage the Ravens have, among many, is that this is Mike Vrabel‘s first time going against the Greg Roman and Lamar Jackson experience this season. The Titans do have Marcus Mariota simulating Jackson in practice but with no actual tackling, it is near impossible to simulate Jackson with any scout team quarterback or speedster. Jayon Brown, one of the Titans starting linebackers, is already ruled out and his absence could make an impact on that defense without one of their speedy linebackers. They do have Rashaan Evans with Wesley Woodyard stepping in for Brown at inside linebacker. Even though safety Kevin Byard gives them a good enough secondary, their lack of pass rush could lead to a big day for Lamar Jackson on the ground.
Mark Ingram has been battling a calf injury but is likely to play, whether it is limited or not. If he is limited, Gus Edwards is ready to go to take the share of the carries as another power back that has some breakaway speed. With all the tight ends Mark Andrews, Hayden Hurst, and Nick Boyle relatively healthy and a Marquise Brown that has been rested a few weeks, the Ravens offense with a rested Lamar Jackson looks relatively healthy. Even though there could be some rust early, I still expect the offense to get caught up quickly and put up the number of points that I do not think the Titans can emulate.
Score Prediction: 31-14 Baltimore Ravens
Write about all things football; including the Baltimore Ravens (my favorite team), College Football, the NFL Draft, and other football related content.
