Ravens-Titans: Tennessee Should Prevail in Defensive Battle for the Ages

If you are a Ravens or Titans fan, next week's divisional round matchup looks all too familiar.

The Ravens-Titans rivalry stretches all the way back to their 2001 AFC divisional round matchup in Nashville, where the Ravens handed the Titans only their second loss ever at what is now called LP Field. They also were the ones to defeat them the first time.

The divisional-round game was clearly in the Titans' hands before a Steve McNair pass to Eddie George in the flats lead to a Ray Lewis interception return for a touchdown.

To make the loss even tougher, Brian Billick, who was then the Ravens coach, was shown before the game taunting the Titans in the locker room.

Even though that was eight years ago, that loss still sticks heavy in Titan fans' minds.

Since then, the Ravens have had a notable hand in the series between the two teams, despite a Titans win in Week Five this season, 13-10.

The Week Five game was a defensive battle, and this one will prove to be all the same.

Both defenses will show up and play excellent football. The x-factors will be what team makes the fewest mistakes, particularly at the quarterback position.

Titans quarterback Kerry Collins has a nasty taste in his mouth when it comes to the Baltimore Ravens.

The Ravens forced Collins into a horrible performance in Super Bowl XXXV, when Collins player for the New York Giants. 

The Ravens defense forced him into four interceptions and went on to rout the Giants for their first Super Bowl win. Hopefully for the Titans, Collins has already suppressed that out of his memory.

Collins did somewhat better against the Ravens in their Week Five matchup but still threw two interceptions to go along with his game-winning touchdown pass.

On the other end, you have rookie quarterback Joe Flacco, who has been coming on strong as of late.

Flacco has a huge arm that can pierce defenses for long gains from time to time. The Titans will need to keep everything in front of them and completely control the run to make Flacco ineffective.

With Pro Bowl DT Albert Haynesworth and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch expected to return, the task of stopping the run will be a whole lot easier. They had some trouble stopping the run in their Week Five matchup, giving up 132 yards.

Like much of the season has been for the Titans, it will all rest on Kerry Collins, and whether he is effective passing the ball.

This Saturday's playoff matchup should add another great chapter to this nasty rivalry. I expect tempers to be flaring and saying emotion will run high would be a dramatic understatement.

I expect to see a sloppy game where turnovers will be numerous. Don't be too surprised to see five-plus turnovers in this game. Whichever team converts those takeaways into points will be extremely crucial.

Due to the Ravens and Titans' defenses offsetting each other, I give the slight advantage to the Titans due to being led by a veteran quarterback who has been here before. 

Flacco is a rising star in the NFL, but he still has some growing up to do, and I expect him to make some rookie mistakes against a defense that is very opportunistic.

Those mistakes will ultimately cost the Ravens a close game that will end in the Titans favor and leave a sweet taste of revenge in coach Jeff Fisher's mouth.

Titans over the Ravens, 13-10.