Baltimore at Tennessee, a throwback to the days of the old AFC Central when both teams traded blows twice a year. Those days are long gone, with the last matchup between the two coming in the Divisional Round of the 2008 playoffs.
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The two teams had very different fortunes in Week 1. Joe Flacco finally got the Ravens over the Roethlisberger hump by getting the first win over the Pittsburgh quarterback of the Harbaugh/Flacco era. Tennessee, on the other hand, struggled against a Jacksonville team who cut their starting quarterback just days before.
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Week 2 will be important for both teams as Baltimore looks to avoid a potential let down after the big win last week while Tennessee will still feel, especially with a shook-up Indianapolis team struggling heavily last week, that they can win the AFC South. With that in mind, let’s look at three matchups to focus on this week.
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1) Ravens Offensive Line vs. Titans Defensive Line
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Baltimore’s revamped offensive line managed to keep Joe Flacco fairly well protected against the Steelers, allowing only one sack and five pressures. Tennessee, though, struggled to get pressure on Luke McCown in their loss to Jacksonville. That has to change this week for Tennessee; they need to get to Flacco.
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The battle on the interior of both lines is key if Baltimore is to enjoy the balance they did last week (33 runs and 33 passes) and Marshal Yanda (+10.7 run-blocking grade last year), Ben Grubbs (+3.9) and Matt Birk (+14.6) will need to hold their own against a Titans defensive line anchored by the stellar run play of Shaun Smith, who followed up a fine season last year (+15.2 against the run) with a solid start (+1.2) last week.
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2) Ray Rice vs. Chris Johnson
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Back in 2008 when these two last squared off, Chris Johnson was giving the Ravens’ defense fits before his early injury and if Tennessee wants to pull off the upset this week, an on-form Johnson would be a massive asset.
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While Johnson has more highlight reel plays. Ray Rice has been the better all-around player, especially recently. Particularly in the passing game, where Rice excels. Last season, Rice gained 644 yards after the catch. He followed this up in Week 1 where 36 of his 42 receiving yards came after the catch. The Titans didn’t use Johnson in anywhere near the same way last year. He was targeted just 24 times last season, compared with Rice’s 75 targets. However, this past week Johnson was targeted seven times. Could this mean the Titans aim to use Johnson a lot more in the passing game as this year progresses?
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3) Kenny Britt vs. Ravens Cornerbacks
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Despite often making the headlines for all the wrong reasons, Kenny Britt showed again on Sunday that he can make the headlines on the field too. Lighting up the Jaguars, mainly at the expense of Rashean Mathis, for 136 yards and two touchdowns on his way to a +3.3 grade. Britt averaged an impressive 18.5 yards per reception last season and if he can deliver that kind of performance against the Ravens,Tennessee should be able to hang around.
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On the opposite side of the field, much was made last week about who would start at corner for Baltimore. Either by plan, or due to Jimmy Smith’s injury on the opening kickoff, Lardarius Webb wound up playing every defensive snap for Baltimore. Webb (+2.2) turned in one of the better performances of his career as he limited the explosive Mike Wallace to just 13 yards on two receptions when lined up opposite him.
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As highlighted in the Re-Focused article earlier in the week, Cary Williams gave some ridiculous cushions to the Steelers wide receivers. But he also allowed only five catches despite being targeted 14 times. WhoBaltimore trusts to cover Britt will be of huge interest on Sunday.
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