NFL
Scores/Schedules
Standings
Statistics
Transactions
Injuries
Players
Weekly lineup

  GAME DAY PREVIEW Game time: 1:00pm ET
Tennessee (9-2-0) at Baltimore (4-7-0)
 
  Records
TEAM W L T PF PA HOME ROAD NFC AFC DIV STREAK
Tennessee 9 2 0 239 202 5-0 4-2 2-1 7-1 7-0 Won 3
Baltimore 4 7 0 196 211 1-4 3-3 1-1 3-6 3-4 Lost 1


BALTIMORE (AP) -- The Tennessee Titans have discovered the secret for winning close games. Unfortunately for the Baltimore Ravens, the formula does not come in bottled form.

The Titans (9-2) are 6-1 this season in games decided by six points or less, including a 14-11 win over Baltimore in October. Tennessee has outscored the opposition 63-53 in the fourth quarter and has produced four second-half comeback victories.

"I don't know if there's a magic potion. It's just that our team doesn't panic," coach Jeff Fisher said. "Two or three years ago, we looked for one or two guys to make the play. Now, everyone wants to do it. It's a challenge."

Conversely, a close game is a curse to the Ravens. Baltimore (4-7) has lost five games by seven points or less, including a 30-23 defeat against Jacksonville last week in which the Ravens allowed 23 points in the final 11 minutes.

"Obviously we're missing something. I'm sure if we were able to isolate it, we would," Baltimore defensive end Michael McCrary said.

So, if this Sunday's game between Baltimore and the Titans turns out to be another close call, then it's advantage Tennessee.

"It's just a matter of confidence," Titans tight end Frank Wycheck said. "The past few years, we didn't know how to win a tight game. Then we pulled one out against Cincinnati (36-35) in the opener and learned from it. Now, all the guys are stepping up and making big plays."

Because they've flourished in tense games, the Titans are vying for the AFC Central lead and seemingly playoff-bound. Baltimore, on the other hand, is headed toward a fourth straight losing season.

"When you're in that situation and you've won more than you lost, you tend to have confidence that you're going to find some way to pull that game out," Ravens quarterback Tony Banks said. "That's what they've been doing. Our games and their games look real similar. But they're just pulling it out at the end, either on special teams, defense or offense."

Back in October, backup Neil O'Donnell led the Titans past the Stoney Case-led Ravens. Steve McNair is now at quarterback for Tennessee and Banks is directing the Baltimore offense, but there's no reason to expect this game will be any different than the first one.

Five of the last six games in the series have been decided by four points or less, and that does not bode well for the Ravens.

"We just have to find a way to get over the hump. We have to go get a victory instead of hope to win," offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden said. "If we need a touchdown at the end, we have say, 'Let's go get a touchdown' instead of saying, 'Let's try to get a touchdown.' It's an attitude. But we're working towards it."

The Titans are striving for their 14th straight division victory, which would match Dallas for the second-longest such streak since 1970. It will be the 260th career game for Tennessee guard Bruce Matthews, a record for NFL linemen.

"How does he keep doing that, game after game, year after year?" Ravens coach Brian Billick said. "It's amazing. I don't know if anybody will ever do that again."

Certainly not Ogden, 25, who can't envision coming anywhere close to duplicating Matthews' 17-year run.

"I think he's crazy. He should be in Florida, looking at his stocks or something," Ogden said, shaking his head. "He must really love the game. I love the game, and I know I can't play that long."

TENNESSEE
Season schedule and results
BALTIMORE
Season schedule and results
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 W 14-11
October 17 @New Orleans W 24-21
October 31 St. Louis W 24-21
November 7 @Miami L 0-17
November 14 @Cincinnati W 24-14
November 21 Pittsburgh W 16-10
November 28 @Cleveland W 33-21
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
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 L 11-14
October 21 Kansas City L 8-35
October 31 Buffalo L 10-13
November 7 @Cleveland W 41-9
November 14 @Jacksonville L 3-6
November 21 @Cincinnati W 34-31
November 28 Jacksonville L 23-30
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

Records source: STATS, Inc.

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

 


ALSO SEE
NFL Scoreboard

Tennessee Clubhouse

Baltimore Clubhouse



NFL Week 13 previews

War Room preview: Titans at Ravens

Baxter Bits: Titans at Ravens

Week 13 injury report

Week 13 picks