NASHVILLE, Tenn. — So this is how to reach the AFC championship game.
In an era of multiple offensive packages and sophisticated formations, in a season when one quarterback threw for more than 5,000 yards (Drew Brees) and five others threw for more than 4,000 yards (including the Broncos’ Jay Cutler), there is still room in the playoffs for a team like the Baltimore Ravens, who are so much about defense, a punt is considered a positive offensive play.
The Tennessee Titans would agree a punt beats turnovers. The wild-card Ravens exhibited little passing game other than two big plays on defensive breakdowns, virtually no running game and got obliterated on the stat sheet Saturday at LP Field. The Ravens still beat the No. 1-seeded Titans 13-10 in a second-round AFC playoff game, getting a 43-yard field goal from Matt Stover with 53 seconds left.
A team like Denver finished second in the NFL in offense while Cutler threw for more than 4,500 yards. Yet the Broncos are home at 8-8 and searching for a new head coach.
The Ravens are advancing to the AFC title game with an offense that ranked 28th in passing but fourth in rushing and second in defense.
“That speaks to the toughness of your football team,” said Ravens defensive lineman Trevor Pryce, a former Bronco. “We have it, Pittsburgh has it, Tennessee has it. Teams that are in the playoffs all have it. They have a tough demeanor about them. We grind and we scrap and we cuss and spit, and it works.”
In winning their first-round playoff game last weekend, the Ravens needed rookie quarterback Joe Flacco to complete just 9-of-23 passes for 135 yards while crushing Miami. By halftime of their second-round playoff game against Tennessee, the Ravens managed a mere four first downs. Flacco was again unimpressive, completing just 3-of-8 for 68 yards. Their top rusher, Le’Ron McClain, had just 14 yards on eight carries.
But with the score tied 7-7 at the break, the Ravens had the Titans right where they wanted them. The Titans could have been up at least 10-7, but Denver native LenDale White fumbled the ball away inside the Ravens’ 20-yard line with seconds remaining in the half.
“That right there would have boosted us going into the second half,” White said. “I’m definitely taking the blame for losing this game.”
This wasn’t just a matchup of good defenses. This was a bruising interaction of helmet-knocking, pad-smacking, body-be-darned game of attrition. The Titans and Ravens met twice this season, and the score was 13-10 each time. For the rubber match, the teams should agree to play in leather helmets.
The difference between the Titans winning the first time, but not when it counted, was Saturday they lost star rookie running back Chris Johnson early in the second quarter. Johnson gave the Titans their only touchdown in the first quarter. He suffered a high ankle sprain early in the second quarter, though, and didn’t return.
“I thought losing Chris hurt us,” said Mike Heimerdinger, the Titans and former Broncos offensive coordinator. “Chris’ speed is a difference-maker for us. I can give you all kind of coach-speak to explain everything, but you just can’t turn the ball over.”
Perhaps the Titans’ biggest mistake was a fumble by Alge Crumpler as the tight end was approaching the Ravens’ 5-yard line early in the fourth quarter.
“We would beat them nine out of 10 times,” White said. “This is the one time where things didn’t fall our way.”
Mike Klis: 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com
Game recap
What happened?
The game’s best offensive player, Titans running back Chris Johnson, was sensational early but suffered a game-ending ankle injury early in the second quarter.
What it means
After winning at Miami in the first round and at Nashville in the second round, Baltimore has a chance to become the third team in four years to win three conference games on the road and end up as a Super Bowl champion. The 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers and 2007 New York Giants also pulled off the road trifecta.
What’s next?
The Ravens will play on the road next weekend in the AFC championship game against the winner of the Chargers- Steelers game.
Quarter-by-quarter
First: Tennessee had its way until a blown coverage allowed ex-Titan Derrick Mason to make an easy, deep TD catch.
Second: LenDale White’s fumble inside the Ravens’ 20 with 26 seconds remaining cost Tennessee a halftime lead.
Third: Titans safety Chris Hope got burned on two completions totaling 85 yards that led to 10 points.
Fourth: When these teams met earlier this season, the Titans won. The score: 13-10.
Mike Klis, The Denver Post
