National Sports

Mets reach agreement with P Redding

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 01:52:34 GMT

The New York Mets reached an agreement with right-handed pitcher Tim Redding on Friday for a one-year deal worth roughly $2.25 million.

A contract is not likely to be finalized until next week, as Redding must still pass a physical examination before the Mets will announce the deal.

The 30-year-old Redding finished 10-11 with a 4.95 earned run average last season for the Washington Nationals, becoming the team's only 10-game winner on the season.

For his career, Redding boasts a 34-51 mark with a 4.92 ERA and is expected to compete for the club's fifth spot in the rotation.

Despite the signing, the Mets are still in talks with pitchers Derek Lowe and Oliver Perez.

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Eagles' Westbrook probable for Sunday; Runyan questionable

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 01:43:34 GMT

Eagles running back Brian Westbrook returned to the practice field on a limited basis Friday and is listed as probable for Sunday's NFC Divisional Playoff battle with the New York Giants.

Westbrook has battled numerous injuries throughout a season that saw him miss two games early on. The Eagles' leading rusher (936 yards) and touchdown scorer (11 total) is currently nursing a knee injury that caused him to be listed as questionable for last Sunday's Wild Card bout with Minnesota.

Philadelphia offensive tackle Jon Runyan, however, is listed as questionable after missing the entire week of practice with a knee injury.

Starting fullback Dan Klecko (shoulder) is listed as doubtful for Sunday, while guard Shawn Andrews, who hasn't played since September, is officially out after practicing this week for the first time since undergoing back surgery.

Cornerback Asante Samuel (hip) and defensive end Victor Abiamiri (foot) are both listed as probable after missing at least some portion of practice this week.

©2009 Sports Network. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Former pitcher Dave Roberts dies

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 01:36:25 GMT

Dave Roberts, a pitcher who played for eight major league teams, including the World Series champion Pittsburgh Pirates in 1979, passed away on Friday at the age of 64 due to lung cancer.

Roberts broke into the majors in 1969 with San Diego and also played for Houston (1972-75), Detroit (1976-77), the Chicago Cubs (1977-78), San Francisco (1979), Pittsburgh (1979-80), Seattle (1980) and the New York Mets. His overall record was 103-125 with a 3.78 earned run average over 445 games (277 starts).

"Dave was the consummate pro," Astros president of baseball operations Tal Smith said. "He averaged 35 starts and 12 wins a year for the club during his four years as an Astro, but he'll really be remembered and missed for the leadership he provided and for being such a good guy. Our condolences to his family and friends."

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Royals sign Bloomquist to two-year deal

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 23:03:43 GMT

The Kansas City Royals added versatile Willie Bloomquist to the mix on Friday, signing the super utility player to a two-year contract. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not announced.

Bloomquist, 31, spent his entire career with the Seattle Mariners, making at least 10 starts at every position with the exception of pitcher and catcher.

He is a .263 career hitter with six home runs and 98 RBI in 540 games since breaking into the majors in 2002.

"We're excited with the signing of Willie Bloomquist," said Royals general manager Dayton Moore. "He will be a tremendous asset to our team with his leadership and versatility to play second, short and all three outfield positions."

Kansas City also re-signed pitcher Kyle Davies to a one-year contract. The 25- year-old Davies went 9-7 with a 4.06 earned run average in 21 starts for the Royals last season.

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Penny, Red Sox agree to one-year deal

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 22:21:00 GMT

The Boston Red Sox signed free agent pitcher Brad Penny to a one-year contract on Friday. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Though the signing of Penny in no way trumps the Yankees' acquisitions of CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, the veteran hurler is one season removed from a 16- win campaign and adds another arm to a deep rotation.

Penny's 2008 season was soiled with three stints on the disabled list due to shoulder issues. The 30-year old compiled a 6-9 record with a career-worst 6.27 earned run average in 19 games -- 17 of which were starts.

In nine seasons with Florida and the Dodgers, Penny is 94-75 with a 4.06 ERA in 249 career games -- 245 starts -- to go along with 1,032 strikeouts.

The right-hander re-joins current Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett and third baseman Mike Lowell, as the trio was a vital part of the 2003 Marlins squad that upended the New York Yankees in the World Series.

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Barkley taking a leave of absence from TNT

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:54:20 GMT

Charles Barkley is taking a leave of absence from the TNT broadcast team.

The announcement came in a statement from David Levy, the president of Turner Sports, on Friday.

"I have spoken with Charles Barkley regarding the incident that took place in Scottsdale, Arizona, last week and I understand he has hired a lawyer to represent him regarding this matter," said Levy. "When I spoke with Charles, he was apologetic for the events that transpired and it was obvious he understood the significance of this situation. This is an important time for Charles as he deals with the legal and personal issues that confront him. Charles is a valued part of the Turner Sports organization and we are concerned for his well-being."

A former nine-time NBA All-Star and league MVP, the 45-year-old Barkley was arrested on suspicion of drinking and driving early on the morning of December 31. He was arrested shortly after leaving a nightclub and failed field sobriety tests.

The Arizona Republic reported Friday that Barkley's blood test results showed a blood-alcohol level of .149, nearly twice the legal limit of .08 in Arizona.

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Mason, Reed, Heap among eight questionable Ravens for Saturday

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 19:29:39 GMT

Baltimore safety Ed Reed, wide receiver Derrick Mason and tight end Todd Heap are among eight Ravens listed as questionable for Saturday's AFC Divisional Playoff contest against the Tennessee Titans.

Reed didn't practice this week due to both illness and a knee injury. The Pro Bowl selection and regular-season leader in interceptions with nine was also listed as questionable for Baltimore's 27-9 wild card victory against Miami last Sunday in which he picked off two passes, returning one for a 64-yard score.

Mason was limited on Thursday and sat Wednesday while nursing a shoulder injury. He led the team with 80 catches for 1,037 yards and five touchdowns during the regular season.

Heap sat out both practice sessions this week because of a back injury.

Other starters listed as questionable for the Ravens this week include cornerbacks Samari Rolle (thigh) and Fabian Washington (neck), linebacker Jarret Johnson (calf), defensive lineman Justin Bannan (foot) and kicker Matt Stover (ankle).

Backup linebacker Antwan Barnes (chest) has been ruled out for Saturday.

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Titans' defensive stars expected to play Saturday, Mawae out

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 19:01:53 GMT

Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth and defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch are both expected to play in Saturday's AFC Divisional Playoff tilt with the Baltimore Ravens.

While Haynesworth and Vanden Bosch are listed as probable, starting center Kevin Mawae has been ruled out for the game due to an elbow injury. Mawae's status was the subject of much debate earlier this week as he originally ruled himself out before head coach Jeff Fisher interjected and labeled the 15-year veteran as day-to-day.

Second-year lineman Leroy Harris is likely to start under center for the Titans. It would be only his second career start as Harris also got the nod in Tennessee's regular-season finale against Indianapolis with Mawae sidelined.

Haynesworth suffered a sprained MCL in a Week 15 bout against Houston. With the club already having clinched the AFC South and a first-round bye at the time, Fisher gave the Pro Bowl selection some much-needed time off in the last two regular season games.

In 14 games this season, Haynesworth has recorded 8 1/2 sacks with 51 tackles and three forced fumbles. He has 271 tackles and 24 sacks in seven seasons, all with the Titans.

Vanden Bosch battled through a groin injury throughout the season and played in just 10 games. The seven-year veteran logged 4 1/2 sacks in his limited playing time to go along with 24 tackles.

In 93 career games with Arizona and Tennessee, Vanden Bosch has compiled 39 1/2 sacks with 301 tackles.

Rounding out the Titans' injury report is backup defensive end Dave Ball, who is out with a back injury and safety Tuff Harris -- questionable due to a calf ailment.

©2009 Sports Network. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Cardinals Look to Shed East Coast Woes in Carolina

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 18:45:35 GMT

One week after earning their first postseason victory in a decade, the Arizona Cardinals will attempt to clear another major hurdle when they visit Bank of America Stadium for this Saturday's NFC Divisional Playoff clash with the Carolina Panthers.

The Cardinals lost seven times during the regular season, which was still good enough to finish at the top of a suspect NFC West field, with five of those defeats coming on cross-country trips. Included in that string of futility was a 56-35 loss to the New York Jets in September, a 28-point setback at Philadelphia on Thanksgiving, and an utterly forgettable 47-7 shellacking at the hands of New England on a snowy Sunday in late December.

Since the 2003 season, Arizona has gone just 2-19 when playing in the Eastern Time Zone.

One of the Cardinals' few competitive showings on the East Coast did come in Charlotte, however. In a 27-23 loss to the Panthers on October 26, Arizona built a 14-point lead early in the second half before Carolina rallied with a trio of touchdowns in the third quarter.

Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner threw for 381 yards and two touchdowns in that mid-season tilt, with standout wide receiver Anquan Boldin hauling in both of the scoring strikes, and Arizona rolled up 425 total yards and 25 first downs on the afternoon.

Boldin also hooked up with Warner for a key 71-yard touchdown that spurred the fourth-seeded Cardinals to a 30-24 home ousting of Atlanta in last weekend's Wild Card round. However, the Pro Bowl wideout strained his left hamstring on the play, and his status for Saturday's showdown will likely be in question right up until game time.

Last week's victory was Arizona's first in a postseason game since a 20-7 decision over Dallas in a 1998 NFC Wild Card Playoff. The Cardinals then endured nine consecutive non-winning seasons before this year's 9-7 breakthrough.

Obtaining a second straight playoff win figures to be a tall order, since the Panthers were the only NFL team this season to record an 8-0 record at home. Five of those decisions were by 15 points or more.

Carolina (12-4), which is making its first postseason foray since 2005, secured the NFC's No. 2 seed and an opening-round bye with a hard-fought 33-31 win at division-rival New Orleans in the regular-season finale. After squandering a 20-point advantage heading into the fourth quarter, the Panthers put together a late march capped by veteran kicker John Kasay's 42-yard field goal in the waning seconds.

The NFC South champion Panthers are in the playoffs for the fourth time in the franchise's 14-year tenure. Carolina is 6-3 all-time in the postseason, including a 5-2 mark under current head coach John Fox.

SERIES HISTORY

Carolina has a 6-2 lead in its all-time series with Arizona, including the aforementioned 27-23 win when the teams met at Bank of America Stadium in Week 8. The Cardinals are 0-5 against the Panthers since last defeating them, in Charlotte in 2002.

Saturday's game will mark the first postseason meeting between the clubs all- time.

Fox is 5-1 against Arizona in his career, while the Cardinals' Ken Whisenhunt is 0-2 against both Fox and the Panthers as a head coach.

WHEN THE CARDINALS HAVE THE BALL

Arizona amassed the second-most passing yards in the NFL (292.1 ypg) during the regular season, and the Panthers got a first-hand look at how dangerous the Cardinals can be through the air in the teams' Week 8 encounter. Warner (4583 passing yards, 30 TD, 14 INT) completed 35-of-49 passes for 381 yards on the Carolina defense, with wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald (96 receptions, 1431 yards, 12 TD), Steve Breaston (77 receptions, 1006 yards, 3 TD) and Boldin (89 receptions, 1038 yards, 11 TD) all enjoying productive days in the narrow loss. It would surprise no one if Boldin, one of the game's unquestioned warriors, suits up for Saturday's tilt, but it's hard to expect the sure-handed star to be in top form with his injury. Breaston has proven to be more than capable in a starting role during a breakout campaign, however, and special-teamer Jerheme Urban (34 receptions, 4 TD) has acquitted himself well in limited duty as a slot receiver. Warner, a former Super Bowl-winning quarterback with St. Louis, owns a 6-2 career playoff record as a starter.

Although the Cardinals have been overly reliant on the pass this season, the offense has been able to show greater balance in recent weeks. Running back Edgerrin James (514 rushing yards, 3 TD, 12 receptions), freshened up by a lengthy benching in favor of rookie Tim Hightower (399 rushing yards, 10 TD, 34 receptions), came through with a 14-carry, 100-yard effort versus Seattle in Week 17 and followed up by rushing for 73 yards on 16 touches in the Wild Card win. Arizona averaged a league-worst 73.6 rushing yards per game and a subpar 3.5 yards per attempt in the regular season, but managed a more respectable 86 yards on the ground against Atlanta last week.

The Cardinals had major troubles running the ball in their late-October meeting with Carolina, however, with James and Hightower combining for a meager 20 yards on 13 carries. The Panthers haven't been so stout in that area as of late, though, having been gashed for 301 rushing yards in a critical late-season loss to the New York Giants and allowing a startling 6.8 yards per attempt over their final two games. Those poor numbers underscore the value of massive defensive tackle Maake Kemoeatu (36 tackles), who sat out both tests with a sprained ankle but should be ready to go on Saturday. Fellow interior plugger Damione Lewis (43 tackles, 3.5 sacks) is also slated to return after missing the finale due to an ailing shoulder. Carolina's leading tacklers are young linebackers Jon Beason (138 tackles, 3 INT) and Thomas Davis (113 tackles, 3.5 sacks), a pair of former first-round picks with outstanding range.

Warner received excellent protection from his offensive line in last weekend's big win, and tackles Mike Gandy and Levi Brown will need to maintain that high level of play in Saturday's challenging matchup against Carolina's pass- rushing tandem of ends Julius Peppers (51 tackles, 5 forced fumbles) and Charles Johnson (25 tackles, 6 sacks). Peppers posted a personal-best 14 1/2 sacks in the regular season to garner a fourth career Pro Bowl nod, while Johnson took down Warner twice in October's win over the Cards. If Warner gets sufficient time, he's well-equipped to exploit a Panthers' defense that ranked 16th against the pass (211.7 ypg) in 2008. Cornerback Chris Gamble (93 tackles, 3 INT, 18 PD) is the secondary's top cover man and tied for the team lead in interceptions with Beason, who had a crucial pick of Warner in the fourth quarter of the teams' previous meeting.

WHEN THE PANTHERS HAVE THE BALL

Whereas the Cardinals are more proficient at beating the opposition through the air, Carolina's offensive strength is a highly-effective running game that has produced an average of 152.3 yards per week (3rd overall). Primary back DeAngelo Williams (1515 rushing yards, 22 receptions, 20 total TD) delivered a superb season in which the shifty third-year pro had seven 100-yard outings over the final nine games, capped by a 25-carry, 178-yard eruption against New Orleans in Week 17. Rookie Jonathan Stewart (836 rushing yards, 10 TD, 8 receptions) has been a very good backfield complement for a Panthers club that is 12-2 this year when gaining over 100 rushing yards in a game. A sturdy offensive line could be without one regular on Saturday, as right guard Geoff Hangartner sprained an ankle in the New Orleans game and is questionable to play.

Arizona's defense will be hoping to repeat its success of a week ago, when the unit limited Atlanta's potent ground attack to a mere 60 yards on 24 tries. Linebackers Karlos Dansby (119 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 INT) and Gerald Hayes (88 tackles, 0.5 sacks) led the charge with eight and six tackles, respectively, while athletic tackle Darnell Dockett (49 tackles, 4 sacks) was a disruptive force in the Falcons' backfield all game long. The Cardinals also sport an accomplished run-stopping safety in Adrian Wilson (75 tackles, 2 INT, 2.5 sacks), who's been named to the Pro Bowl in two of the last three years.

The Cardinals can't solely focus on Williams and Stewart, however, when the Panthers also possess one of the NFL's most feared game-changers in wide receiver Steve Smith (78 receptions, 1421 yards, 6 TD). The Pro Bowl honoree recorded five 100-yard games over the season's last six weeks and also burned Arizona for 117 yards and two touchdowns, including a go-ahead 65-yard score late in the third quarter, in Carolina's Week 8 victory. Quarterback Jake Delhomme (3288 passing yards, 15 TD, 12 INT) completed 20-of-28 passes for 248 yards in that game and is a proven playoff performer, having thrown for 11 touchdowns and just five interceptions in seven prior postseason tilts. Veteran wideout Muhsin Muhammad (65 receptions, 5 TD) also has plenty of playoff experience and provides a reliable secondary target within the Panthers' passing game.

Although Arizona was hardly invincible in defending the pass during the regular season, having given up a league-worst 36 touchdown via the air and an average of 220.4 passing yards per game (22nd overall), the team did a very solid job last Saturday. The Cardinals held the Falcons to 190 net passing yards and intercepted young quarterback Matt Ryan twice, with rookie corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (42 tackles, 4 INT, 19 PD) snaring one of those picks. The first-round draft choice was also credited with 10 tackles and three passes defensed in an impressive postseason debut. End Bertrand Berry (22 tackles, 5 sacks) and outside linebacker Chike Okeafor (60 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 1 INT) have been the Cards' most consistent pass rushers, and each had a sack of Ryan last week.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Carolina seems to have the advantage here. Kasay has been practically automatic on field goals, with the longtime Panther having converted 28-of-31 tries in the regular season and all 15 of his attempts at home. Kickoff specialist Rhys Lloyd has booted a league-best 30 touchbacks to further aid a solid coverage unit, while Mark Jones (24.0 KR avg., 11.4 PR avg.) came through with a strong year as well handling returns. Carolina's only glaring deficiency was in punt protection, as Jason Baker (44.1 avg.) had three kicks blocked during the course of the year.

Arizona has struggled in special teams coverage, having surrendered poor averages of 13.1 yards per punt return and 25 yards on kickoffs in the regular season. The team also ranked next-to-last in the NFL in net punting (34.1 avg.), although midseason addition Ben Graham (42.5 avg.) did put four of six kicks inside the 20-yard line in the Wild Card game. Kicker Neil Rackers has a strong leg and made 25-of-28 field goal attempts prior to the playoffs, while backup running back J.J. Arrington averaged a healthy 25.6 yards on kick returns and took one for a touchdown.

OVERALL ANALYSIS

Last weekend's win was most encouraging for the Cardinals, because the team was able to display proficiency in two areas -- running the football and playing good defense -- that have been very hit-or-miss throughout this season. Whether Arizona can show that same commitment and discipline against a Carolina squad that's been nearly unstoppable on offense over the season's second half, and smothered the Cardinals' half-hearted attempt at a running game earlier this year, is another matter. The Cardinals were able to capitalize on mistakes by a young Atlanta team a week ago, but likely won't get those opportunities from the Panthers, who are playoff-tested and haven't lost on their home grounds all year long. Throw in Arizona's dubious history on the East Coast, and it's hard to envision the visitors coming away with the upset.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Panthers 34, Cardinals 24

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Sense of Deja Vu Follows Ravens to Tennessee

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 18:44:38 GMT

With an AFC Divisional Playoff game at the Tennessee Titans on tap for this Saturday, giddy Baltimore Ravens fans are all too aware of the parallels.

It was the 2000 postseason when the Ravens, a Wild Card upstart, went into Nashville to play the top-seeded Titans in the AFC Divisional Round.

Baltimore was coached that day by Brian Billick, who was taking his first tentative steps as a head coach in the realm of playoff football, and quarterbacked by a man, Trent Dilfer, who the world seemed to be waiting to fall flat on his face.

Against the run-first Titans attack led by All-Pro Eddie George, the Ravens posed their staunch defense, led by middle linebacker Ray Lewis.

Baltimore was scary that day, winning 24-10 on the way to its first, and to date only, Super Bowl victory.

The new cast members in the revival of that memorable playoff game are John Harbaugh, Joe Flacco, and the duo of Chris Johnson and LenDale White, who are playing the parts of Billick, Dilfer, and George, respectively.

Otherwise, the scenario is almost identical to the one that played out eight long years ago - complete with Lewis and the still-dominant Ravens defense - with the result ranking as the only element of the story left in doubt.

Ravens fans are hoping that part of the tale falls right into line.

In order to set up the veritable encore presentation, the Ravens first had to win on the road (just as they did in Denver in 2000), making relatively short work of the Miami Dolphins in a 27-9 affair last Sunday that ranked as the most lopsided game of Wild Card weekend.

A defense that led the NFL in takeaways and interceptions during the regular season was at it again, forcing five turnovers - including four INTs off of normally efficient quarterback Chad Pennington - from a team that had committed an NFL-low-tying 13 turnovers during the entire regular season.

Two of the picks went to soaring Baltimore safety Ed Reed, the fifth time in a stunning stretch of seven games that the Pro Bowler has recorded multiple interceptions. Reed's first pick provided the Ravens with their initial touchdown of the game, as the Miami-Florida product picked off a floated Pennington pass and raced 64 yards for a touchdown to stake the team to a 10-3 lead.

The Ravens will likely need to employ a similar formula for success if they are to beat a Tennessee team that recorded the NFL's best record (13-3) during the regular season.

The Titans will be hosting their first playoff game since beating the Steelers in a 2002 AFC Divisional Playoff, and will be looking to win a postseason contest for the first time since taking a 20-17 decision at Baltimore in the 2003 Wild Card Round.

During the bye week, Jeff Fisher's club had an opportunity to get healthier, as Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth (knee) and end Kyle Vanden Bosch (groin) are both expected to play on Saturday after missing the final two and three games, respectively, of the regular season.

SERIES HISTORY

As mentioned, the Ravens and Titans have split a pair of memorable postseason contests during the current decade. Baltimore went on the road to earn a 24-10 victory in a 2000 AFC Divisional Playoff, en route to a Super Bowl title, and the Titans returned the favor with a 20-17 road win in a 2003 AFC First-Round Playoff. Kicker Gary Anderson's 46-yard field goal with 29 seconds to play gave Tennessee the latter win.

The all-time regular season series between the Ravens and Titans is deadlocked, 8-8, with Tennessee evening the series by virtue of its 13-10 win at Baltimore in Week 5. The Ravens won the previous meeting, a 27-26 thriller in Nashville in 2006. Tennessee last won a home game in the series in 2005, taking a 25-10 decision in that contest.

Fisher has a 10-8 record against Baltimore all-time, including playoffs, while Baltimore's Harbaugh is 0-1 against both Fisher and the Titans as a head coach.

WHEN THE RAVENS HAVE THE BALL

Flacco's first playoff outing was by no means the sharpest game of his rookie year, as he completed just 9-of-23 throws for 135 yards. But the youngster added value by rushing for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, did not turn the ball over all day, and put the team in position to score with three drives of 46 yards or more. Top Ravens wideout Derrick Mason (80 receptions, 5 TD during the regular season) again provided a capable target for Flacco, catching four balls for a game-high 71 yards. No. 2 receiver Mark Clayton (41 receptions, 3 TD) and veteran tight end Todd Heap (35 receptions, 3 TD) combined for three grabs in the win. As usual, Baltimore also received a strong effort in the running game, where burly Le'Ron McClain (902 rushing yards, 19 receptions, 11 TD) and cohort Willis McGahee (671 rushing yards, 7 TD, 24 receptions) combined for 137 yards and a touchdown (by McClain) on 26 combined carries. Likely to be added to the ground mix this week is rookie scatback Ray Rice (454 rushing yards, 33 receptions), who has been bothered by a calf problem but is expected to play. McClain and Rice combined for 115 yards on 33 totes (3.5 yards per carry) in Tennessee back in Week 5, while Flacco threw two interceptions to harm the cause. The developing Ravens offensive line, which did not allow a sack last week, also succeeded in preventing one against the Titans on Oct. 5th.

Though Joey Porter and the Dolphins defense provided their own unique set of hurdles last week, the group Flacco will be going up against on Saturday presents a decided step up in class. The Titans finished the regular season ranked No. 9 in the NFL against the pass (199.8 yards per game), No. 6 against the run (93.9 yards per game), and No. 5 in sacks (44). The front four is the most frightening element of the Tennessee defense, as tackles Haynesworth (51 tackles, 8.5 sacks), Tony Brown (52 tackles, 4 sacks), and blossoming rookie Jason Jones (31 tackles, 5 sacks) combine with ends Vanden Bosch (24 tackles, 4.5 sacks) and Jevon Kearse (34 tackles, 3.5 sacks) to be oft-stifling against both the run and the pass. The work of that group takes much of the pressure off of a secondary that consistently made big plays all year, led by a pair of Pro Bowlers in safety Chris Hope (78 tackles, 4 INT, 1 sack) and cornerback Cortland Finnegan (70 tackles, 5 INT, 1 sack). The two other members of the starting secondary - cornerback Nick Harper (71 tackles, 2 INT) and strong safety Michael Griffin (75 tackles, 7 INT, 1 sack) - each had interceptions of Flacco in Week 5. If there's a weakness in the Tennessee "D", it is the linebackers, though strong side backer Keith Bulluck (98 tackles) is well- respected and fellow LB starters David Thornton (78 tackles) and Stephen Tulloch (84 tackles, 1 sack) have had their moments as well.

WHEN THE TITANS HAVE THE BALL

Though the Titans have been a run-first team for much of the year, the offensive story for the unit on Saturday will be quarterback Kerry Collins (2676 passing yards, 12 TD, 7 INT), who will be seeking his first win as a playoff starter since 2000, when he led the Giants to the Super Bowl before falling to the Ravens. Collins exorcised the Baltimore demon in Week 5, when he threw a couple of interceptions but also amassed 163 yards through the air and tossed the game-winning touchdown in the closing minutes. Justin Gage (34 receptions, 6 TD) and Brandon Jones (58 receptions, 2 TD) have been Collins' best down-the-field threats. But rest assured, a team that ranked seventh in the league in rushing offense (137.4 yards per game) during the regular season will be looking to run, first and foremost. Rookie rushing phenom Chris Johnson (1228 rushing yards, 43 receptions, 10 TD) will look to break out after amassing just 44 yards on 18 carries against Baltimore in Week 5, and LenDale White (773 rushing yards, 15 TD), whose four touches totaled only four yards in that contest, will attempt to do the same. Up front, Tennessee center Kevin Mawae (elbow) is not likely to play on Saturday, and Leroy Harris is expected to start in his place. The Titans gave up just 12 sacks all year, and did not allow Baltimore to post one in Week 5.

Though the Ravens put up a solid effort for the most part against the Titans offense last time out, in their return to Tennessee, they'll need to do a better job of covering the team's tight ends. In Week 5, tight ends Bo Scaife and Alge Crumpler combined for 10 of the team's 17 catches, accounted for 126 of 163 receiving yards, and Crumpler scored the Titans' only touchdown on an 11-yard catch with 1:56 to play. Safeties Reed (41 tackles, 9 INT, 1 sack during the regular season) and Jim Leonhard (69 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT) figure to play a key role against the tight ends this time around, and given his recent exploits, Collins will have to be aware of Reed's location on the field at all times. Cornerbacks Fabian Washington (31 tackles, 1 INT) and ex-Titan Samari Rolle (23 tackles, 3 INT) will look to hold the Tennessee wide receivers in check, and top pass rushers Terrell Suggs (68 tackles, 8 sacks, 2 INT) and Trevor Pryce (27 tackles, 4.5 sacks) will try to break through for a rare sack of Collins. The Ravens have been outstanding against the run for most of the year, and that status carried over to last week's win over Miami, when they surrendered just 52 yards on 21 rush attempts for the day. Tackles Haloti Ngata (55 tackles, 2 INT, 1 sack) and Justin Bannan (45 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT) set the tone in the trenches, with linebackers Ray Lewis and Bart Scott working behind them. The Ravens were No. 3 against the run (83.4 yards per game) and No. 2 against the pass (179.7 yards per game) during the regular season.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Ever-reliable Ravens kicker Matt Stover (27-33 FG) banged home two short field goals last week, and three of kickoff specialist Steven Hauschka's six kickoffs went for touchbacks. Punter Sam Koch (45.0 avg.) punted to a 42.3 average last week, and the punt team did not allow a return longer than five yards. A kickoff coverage unit that was shaky at times during the regular season gave up a 34-yard return to Miami's Patrick Cobbs a week ago. On returns, Baltimore stuck with Leonhard (11.6 punt return avg.) on punts, who amassed 21 yards on two returns, and had rookie Tom Zbikowski and LeRon McClain both fielding kickoffs.

The Titans have two of the most reliable legs in the business with kicker Rob Bironas and punter Craig Hentrich (42.8 avg.). Bironas was 29-of-33 on field goals during the regular season, including a perfect 13-of-13 from inside 40 yards, though he missed a 38-yard kick in last season's playoff loss to the Chargers. Twenty-two of Bironas' 85 kickoffs this year went for touchbacks, and the kick coverage unit did not allow a touchdown. Hentrich, meanwhile, remains one of the better directional and placement kickers in the NFL. The Titans did not have a TD in the return game this season, though primary return man Chris Carr (28.1 kickoff return avg., 10.1 punt return avg.) regularly broke long returns.

OVERALL ANALYSIS

The Titans and Ravens reached the playoffs by different means, with Tennessee getting out in front early in the AFC South, and staying there, while Baltimore fought tooth-and-nail to land the final Wild Card berth by playing mostly inspired football over the season's final two-and-a-half months. No matter what the mode of travel was, however, the fact is that these teams are evenly matched at this stage of the year, with two terrific defenses and running games preparing to collide in what should be a physical, low-scoring affair. The Titans are a little better than the Ravens offensively, while Baltimore enjoys a slight nod over Tennessee on the other side of the ball. If you subscribe to the theory that defense wins championships, the smart money is on the Ravens this week, especially when considering that the Titans have some health issues on the defensive line.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Ravens 21, Titans 17

©2009 Sports Network. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.