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  GAME DAY PREVIEW Game time: 4:15pm ET
Baltimore (2-2-0) at Tennessee (3-1-0)
 
  Records
TEAM W L T PF PA HOME ROAD NFC AFC DIV STREAK
Baltimore 2 2 0 66 73 1-1 1-1 1-1 1-1 1-1 Won 2
Tennessee 3 1 0 104 87 2-0 1-1 0-1 3-0 3-0 Lost 1


NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- The Tennessee Titans' plan is simple: Win every division game in the AFC Central, and get ready for the playoffs.

"Winning the division gets you in the playoffs, and our ultimate goal is to get in the playoffs," left tackle Brad Hopkins said.

The franchise hasn't been to the playoffs since 1993, when, like this year, it started the season by winning its first three divisional games. The Titans (3-1) are tied with Jacksonville atop the AFC Central, and already have beaten the Jaguars on the road.

They look to go to 4-0 in division play this Sunday when the Baltimore Ravens (2-2) visit Adelphia Coliseum.

Both teams are coming off close games. Baltimore beat Atlanta 19-13 in overtime, while Tennessee lost 24-22 at San Francisco when Eddie George was stuffed on a run for a 2-point conversion late in the game.

"It's probably our biggest game of the year," defensive lineman Henry Ford said. "If we're going to win our division, we have to start here."

Tennessee comes in with a franchise-best nine-game winning streak in the division that started last season with a 12-8 victory over the Ravens. During the streak, Tennessee has outscored opponents 234-157.

The Titans feature a potent offense. Tennessee's 104 points this year is second only to Washington, which has 150.

The Titans rank fifth in passing offense. Neil O'Donnell is the AFC's third-rated passer and has topped 300 yards twice this season while replacing Steve McNair, out with a back injury.

But Tennessee has had trouble running the ball, ranking next-to-last at 69.3 yards per game. George hasn't topped 100 yards in 11 straight games, though he had 121 when Tennessee played at Baltimore last year.

"If they need to run the ball to be more productive, that'll come in time," Baltimore coach Brian Billick said. "I just hope it's not Sunday."

The Ravens feature the NFL's eighth-stingiest defense, allowing 275 yards a game. Linebacker Peter Boulware leads the league with five sacks despite playing with an injured shoulder.

"This is a premier type of game for us," Billick said. "We're playing the first-place team in the division at their new home, where they have played very well. It's an opportunity for us to step up to a new level."

Baltimore has won two straight with new quarterback Stoney Case and has a bye week after the Tennessee game.

"Just from a standpoint of confidence, we get this win right here, and that's a streak of three in a row," Boulware said. "And that's something I think this team needs is some confidence."

The Ravens offense is jelling with Case and Errict Rhett, who leads the league with three 100-yard games.

Case's numbers aren't great. He has thrown as many interceptions as touchdowns (three) and is completing only 47 percent. But he finds receivers when he needs to, such as last week when he hit Justin Armour with a 54-yard touchdown pass to beat Atlanta in overtime.

"He's giving it all he has, and it's really giving a spark to the team," Boulware said. "We're happy with him."

A key question is whether left tackle Jonathan Ogden (neck) and right tackle Harry Swayne (leg) will play.

The Titans also have an unsettled offensive line. Left guard Scott Sanderson is out with a ruptured disc. Bruce Matthews, who started the first four games at center, may move to left guard, while second-year Kevin Long could wind up at center.

Who plays where might not be decided until just before kickoff before an expected third straight sellout crowd.

"We couldn't ask for a better situation coming off the loss," Ford said. "It's good to be home."

BALTIMORE
Season schedule and results
TENNESSEE
Season schedule and results
September 12 @St. Louis L 10-27
September 19 Pittsburgh L 20-23
September 26 Cleveland W 17-10
October 3 @Atlanta W 19-13
October 10 @Tennessee 4:15pm ET
October 21 Kansas City 8:20pm ET
October 31 Buffalo 1:00pm ET
November 7 @Cleveland 1:00pm ET
November 14 @Jacksonville 4:05pm ET
November 21 @Cincinnati 4:05pm ET
November 28 Jacksonville 1:00pm ET
December 5 Tennessee 1:00pm ET
December 12 @Pittsburgh 1:00pm ET
December 19 New Orleans 1:00pm ET
December 26 Cincinnati 1:00pm ET
January 2 @New England 1:00pm ET
September 12 Cincinnati W 36-35
September 19 Cleveland W 26-9
September 26 @Jacksonville W 20-19
October 3 @San Francisco L 22-24
October 10 Baltimore 4:15pm ET
October 17 @New Orleans 1:00pm ET
October 31 St. Louis 1:00pm ET
November 7 @Miami 8:20pm ET
November 14 @Cincinnati 1:00pm ET
November 21 Pittsburgh 1:00pm ET
November 28 @Cleveland 1:00pm ET
December 5 @Baltimore 1:00pm ET
December 9 Oakland 8:20pm ET
December 19 Atlanta 1:00pm ET
December 26 Jacksonville 1:00pm ET
January 2 @Pittsburgh 4:15pm ET

Records source: STATS, Inc.

Copyright 1999 STATS, Inc. Commercial distribution without the express written consent of STATS is prohibited.

 


ALSO SEE
NFL Scoreboard

Baltimore Clubhouse

Tennessee Clubhouse



Week 5 previews

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