Ravens Team Report

INSIDE SLANT

The Ravens’ playoff fate could be determined by their offensive line.

The Ravens usually win when they protect quarterback Joe Flacco(notes). That means the Baltimore offensive line has to play stout against the Oakland Raiders’ defensive front.

Oakland’s front four has accounted for 26 of the team’s 33 sacks this season. The sack total ranks fifth among the NFL’s defensive lines, behind the Philadelphia Eagles (36 sacks), the Minnesota Vikings (35.5), the Indianapolis Colts (30.5) and the New Orleans Saints (27.5).

The total number of sacks is surprising considering that the Raiders’ defense ranks in the bottom third of the league in categories such as average yards per game (27th), average rushing yards per game (29th) and points per game (tied for 23rd).

If the Ravens beat the Raiders, they advance to the playoffs for the second straight season.

“We’ve just got to block them. That’s as simple as it is,” right guard Marshal Yanda(notes) said. “You try to watch them on film and stuff like that and find out as much as you can about the guy and what he does and what he likes to do and stuff. But when it comes down to it on Sunday, you’ve got to block them up and protect Joe at all costs.”

The Raiders have done some work to rebuild that front.

The organization added former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Ellis(notes) (a team-leading seven sacks this season) and selected end Matt Shaughnessy(notes) (four sacks) in the third round of this year’s draft.

Defensive end Trevor Scott(notes), a sixth-round choice in the 2008 draft, ranks second on the team with six sacks, and the acquisition of former New England Patriots defensive end Richard Seymour(notes) (four sacks) has given the defense another weapon.

“They throw some stuff at you to try to confuse you and get you to I.D. the wrong guy,” Yanda said. “So yeah, they try to do that to create some confusion, and all defenses have a little wrinkle in there like that to do that. We’ll watch them on film and we’ll be ready to go.”

The challenge for the Ravens’ offensive line is filling the holes created by the unit’s play in last Sunday’s 23-20 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley(notes) victimized right tackle Oniel Cousins(notes). Cousins and rookie tackle Michael Oher(notes) struggled at times with Pittsburgh’s speed rush from the edges.

In the Ravens’ eight wins, quarterback Joe Flacco has been sacked 14 times. In the seven losses, he has been taken down 18 times.

“We just have to execute better,” left guard Ben Grubbs(notes) said. “When you watch the film, there’s no special remedy to our problems. Literally, it’s sometimes about taking the right step or using our hands better. It could’ve been a different game. So we just have to focus on the little things, which could lead to big things.”

The line could get a boost if Jared Gaither(notes) (lower back stiffness/foot /toe), who has had full practices all week after missing the past three games.

• If the Baltimore Ravens want to reach the playoffs, they know they have to handle their emotions.

The Ravens (8-7) face another high-pressure situation when they play Sunday at the Oakland Raiders (5-10). A win clinches a playoff berth. A loss virtually eliminates them.

When Baltimore has played in big games this season, the Ravens have usually beaten themselves. Their emotions often lead to penalties at the most critical times.

The Ravens are 1-4 in games when they commit at least nine penalties. They can’t afford to give up yards—and possibly the game—to the Raiders.

“We have to get past it,” coach John Harbaugh said of the penalties. “We’ve had games where we haven’t had those penalties, so we understand how to play that way. And then we’ve had games that have reared up where we’ve had those penalties.

“Sometimes, what’s interesting is that those games have been the most pressure-packed games. Sometimes, maybe in this case it’s the rivalry-type game, and all the things that go into beating a team of that caliber—playing physical, playing hard, good tough football—are the things that sometimes lead to those kinds of penalties.”

“So, we’ve got to learn to do that. The way we do it is the way we’ve been talking about: pay attention to detail in terms of technique and you make good decisions in critical, high-pressure situations. And that’s our task,” Harbaugh said.

Last week, penalties negated two touchdowns for the Ravens in a 23-20 loss at Pittsburgh. The Ravens could have secured a playoff spot with a win. Instead, mistakes have put them in a must-win situation in the final week of the regular season.

Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata(notes) said the players have talked about limiting their penalties.

“You just try to stay away from penalties,” he said. “We know, as a team, that it’s something that’s been hurting us a couple of times in a couple of games. This last game it definitely hurt us, and we’ve just got to work and try to stay away from getting penalties.”

With a win, the Ravens would reach the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the second time in team history. The only other time Baltimore made repeat postseason appearances was 2000-01.

“It’s tough to make the playoffs in the National Football League,” Harbaugh said. “It’s not like some of these other leagues where most of the teams make the playoffs. So, it’s an accomplishment to do it. It’s competitive as heck. Teams are going to battle every single week to try to accomplish that. It has come down to this game. So, yeah, it’s a playoff game.”

A victory would assure the Ravens of at least the No. 6 seed in the AFC. They could move to the fifth seed if the New York Jets lose to Cincinnati.

Series History:   6th regular-season meeting. Ravens lead series 4-1. Ravens are also 1-0 against the Raiders in the postseason. Last season, the Ravens routed the Raiders in Baltimore, 29-10, on one of the unique performances by a Ravens quarterback. Joe Flacco showed off his arm (throwing a 70-yard touchdown), his hands (catching a 43-yard pass) and his legs (running for a 12-yard score).

NOTES, QUOTES

—Free safety Ed Reed(notes) dismissed reports that he would play against the Raiders. He has missed the past four games with a groin injury.

“I was laying in the bed last night and saw ESPN reported that I was possibly playing,” Reed said. “I mean, I was possibly playing the last couple weeks. There is no change. I’m not up right now, so I don’t know where they’re getting their information from, but it’s wrong. (Reporters) seem to know the decision before I even make it. It’s funny, but none of it is right. I don’t really pay no mind to it.”

Does Reed expect to play in Oakland?

“Honestly, it will be a game-time decision,” he said. “It’s a really hard decision when you don’t practice.”

• Some fans were angered when Derrick Mason(notes) was seen smiling on the sideline after he dropped a pass in the end zone.

The emotional veteran wide receiver fired back at those who criticized him.

“That (expletive deleted)’s over with,” he said when asked to address his smile in Pittsburgh. “I don’t care about a drop, man. Move on. That’s the game of football. I’m going to laugh, I’m going to laugh and I’m going to laugh. If I drop one or I drop two, I’m going to laugh. I’ve done it for 13 years. So I don’t give a hell about whatever people say. That’s basically where it is. I’ve had my share of drops, but I’ve also had my share of big catches. I smile on the big catches. I smile on the drops. That’s the way it is; it’s not going to change.”

• Five Ravens were named to the Pro Bowl this week. Middle linebacker Ray Lewis(notes), safety Ed Reed, defensive tackle Haloti Ngata and fullback Le’Ron McClain(notes) were selected as starters. Running back Ray Rice(notes) will be a backup.

Lewis’ selection was the 11th in a 14-year career and fourth in a row. He leads the team with 152 tackles, along with three sacks, three forced fumbles and six pass breakups.

“This is always an honor,” Lewis said. “I don’t take it for granted. To be recognized by yours peers, the coaches and the fans is a privilege.”

• The Ravens are 14-10 against teams from the AFC West, including a 3-0 record this season.

• The Ravens have won seven of their past nine regular-season finales.

By The Numbers:   3—Number of points allowed by the Ravens defense in the second half of the past three games. Baltimore has given up 188 yards in the second half of those three games.

Quote To Note:   “I would be surprised if our team wasn’t ready to play. It’s just a matter of how well we play, how well we address the things that we have to get better at it going into that next week. Our guys know they’re going to play a football team that is very dangerous. It’s their last game of the season, so they’re going to put their best effort out there. But we have more at stake. We have an opportunity to make the playoffs. To me, that’s motivation enough.”—Ravens coach John Harbaugh on whether his players will overlook the Raiders.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

With rookie Lardarius Webb(notes) out for the season with a knee injury, the Ravens had to replace him at two spots: starting cornerback and kickoff returner. Chris Carr(notes), the team’s nickel back, started his first game last Sunday at Pittsburgh. That has moved Frank Walker(notes) into the nickel back role. Jalen Parmele(notes) is now handling the kickoffs.

Offensive tackle Jared Gaither is expected to return after missing three games with a foot injury. He would take over as left tackle, and Michael Oher goes back to the right side.

Player Notes  

• TE Todd Heap(notes) scored multiple touchdowns in consecutive games for the first time in his career. He has scored two touchdowns in three career games against Oakland.

• WR Derrick Mason has caught 37 passes for 457 yards and two touchdowns in eight games against the Raiders.

• NT Kelly Gregg(notes) has recovered two fumbles in two games against Oakland.

• LB Ray Lewis has 56 tackles and two interceptions in five games against the Raiders.

• LB Terrell Suggs(notes) has three sacks and one forced fumble in three games against Oakland.

Game Plan:   The Ravens know they have to stop the Raiders’ running game to stop the Oakland offense. The Raiders have the second-worst passing offense, and Oakland is expected to start Charlie Frye(notes). That means Baltimore will stack the box.

Offensively, the Ravens will run Ray Rice (and possibly Willis McGahee(notes) and Le’Ron McClain) to wear down the Raiders’ front seven. Oakland has the fourth-worst run defense.

Matchups To Watch:   Ravens RB Ray Rice vs. Raiders defense. Rice gained 141 yards rushing last Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the top-ranked run defense in the NFL. The Raiders rank 29th against the run and have given up 21 rushing touchdowns.

Ravens TE Todd Heap vs. Raiders secondary. Heap has scored two touchdowns in each of his past two games because Baltimore is splitting him out wide to gain matchup advantages.

Ravens KR Jalen Parmele vs. Raiders kickoff coverage. Parmele averaged 29 yards on five kickoffs in his first game as the Ravens’ returner. Oakland ranks 29th in kickoff coverage.

Injury Impact:  

• WR Derrick Mason (knee) hasn’t practiced all week but it’s precautionary. He hasn’t missed a game since 2002. Mason will start.

• FS Ed Reed (groin) was limited Thursday after not practicing Wednesday, which is an encouraging sign. He has missed the past four games. Tom Zbikowski(notes) would replace Reed, who said he is a game-day decision.

• LB Terrell Suggs (thigh) was limited Thursday after not practicing Wednesday. Suggs said he would start at Oakland.

• DE Trevor Pryce(notes) (illness) was limited Thursday after not practicing Wednesday. He is expected to play. Pryce leads the Ravens with 6 1/2 sacks.

• LB Tavares Gooden(notes) (groin) has been limited all week in practice. He would be replaced by Dannell Ellerbe(notes).