Facing a rugged Baltimore Ravens defense that still conjures
unpleasant memories, Kerry Collins trotted onto the field needing to mount an
80-yard touchdown drive to keep the Tennessee Titans unbeaten.
His first big play was to get hit in the helmet. Soon after that, Collins threw
an 11-yard touchdown pass to Alge Crumpler with 1:56 left to rally Tennessee to
a 13-10 victory Sunday.
The last time he started against the Ravens, Collins was thoroughly ineffective
for the New York Giants in a 34-7 loss in the 2001 Super Bowl. This win didn’t
serve as revenge, but it sure helped ease the pain of that humbling setback.
“It’s hard to forget that one. Obviously, it wasn’t one of my better days,”
Collins said. “Sure, I wanted to beat them, (but) I wanted to go 5-0 most of
all.”...
Le'Ron McClain rushed to the right for 1 yard gain (Matt
Stover made PAT)
3 - 10
4th Quarter
12:49
TEN
FG
Rob Bironas kicked a 26-yard field goal
6 - 10
1:56
TEN
TD
Kerry Collins passed to Alge Crumpler down the middle
for 11 yard gain (Rob Bironas made PAT)
13 - 10
Team Statistics
TEN
BAL
First Downs
14
21
Passing
11
9
Rushing
1
9
Penalty
2
3
Third Down Efficiency
6-13
7-14
Fourth Down Efficiency
0-0
0-0
TOTAL NET YARDS
210
285
Total Plays
54
65
Average Gain Per Play
3.9
4.4
NET YARDS RUSHING
47
132
Rushes
22
38
Average Per Rush
2.1
3.5
NET YARDS PASSING
163
153
Completions-Attempts
17-32
18-27
Yards Per Pass Play
5.1
5.7
Times Sacked
0
0
Yards Lost to Sacks
0
0
Had Intercepted
2
2
PUNTS
4
4
Average Punt
39.0
39.0
PENALTIES
10
11
Penalty Yards
78
91
FUMBLES
0
0
Fumbles Lost
0
0
TIME OF POSSESSION
25:32
34:28
Pregame Previews, Storylines,
and News
New Page 1
Preview:
Due in large part to an aggressive defense leading the league in
takeaways, the Tennessee Titans are one of three NFL teams still undefeated.
The Baltimore Ravens know a little something about being atop the defensive
charts themselves.
A pair of the NFL's stingiest defenses will clash on Sunday in Baltimore when
the Titans look to improve upon the fastest start in franchise history against
the Ravens.
Tennessee (4-0) has endured a quarterback change and a shaky wide receiver
situation to not just win its first four games, but win them convincingly. The
Titans - who have won a league-high seven straight dating to last season -
haven't yet trailed in the second half, and are winning by an average margin of
two touchdowns in 2008.
A lot of the credit goes to Tennessee's defense, which is allowing an NFL-low
11.5 points per game and has forced a league-high 12 turnovers - four of them
coming in last week's 30-17 victory over Minnesota...
TITANS: Brian
Billick is no longer around the Baltimore Ravens, but the team still
employs the same style it did under him, at least in terms of aggressive
defense. That means the Titans will have to earn their yards, especially
on the ground and will have to do a good job of protecting Kerry
Collins. Collins has been sacked only once thus far this season, and has
made good decisions about when to throw the ball away...FULL
STORY
RAVENS: The
Ravens will look to attack quarterback Kerry Collins, who was roughed up
by the Ravens in the Super Bowl eight seasons ago. Collins has only been
sacked once this season. Baltimore will look to get the Titans to become
one-dimensional by taking out the running game. The Ravens allow 3.1
yards per carry, which is fifth-best in the NFL. Offensively, the Ravens
will try to establish the run with Willis McGahee and Le'Ron McClain...FULL
STORY
The Titans are one of three remaining
NFL unbeatens, joining the Bills and Giants.
Tennessee is 4-0 for the first time in its
49-year franchise history.
Kerry Collins will remain the starter,
though Vince Young (hamstring, knee) returned to practice this week and
is expected to be available
Tennessee is tied for the league lead
in turnover margin (+6) along with Washington.
16.2
20.4