Inside The Afc Central

Sporting News, The, Dec 25, 2000

GAME OF THE WEEK

N.Y. Jets at Baltimore. Rarely does a game on the final weekend of the regular season mean so much, with one team vying to improve its playoff position (the Ravens) and the other still scrambling just to get into the postseason. The winner likely will be the team that best controls the opposition's star running back.

MATCHUP TO WATCH

Titans RB Eddie George vs. Dallas' run defense. There have been 10 200-yard rushing games in the NFL this season, and the Cowboys have yielded three of them. If what happens in Sunday's games makes the season's final Monday night game important, George will challenge 200 and perhaps his career single-game high of 216.

ON THE SPOT

You have to wonder if backup RB Rodney Thomas will return to the Titans next season. He rarely gets much of an opportunity to run from scrimmage backing up George, and he has seemed tentative hitting the hole and hasn't broken many tackles when given the chance.

KEEP AN EYE ON

The Bengals were reluctant to have WR Peter Warrick return punts earlier at free safety last Saturday for the Steelers and played well. The team wants to take a good end-of-season look at Battles, who it thinks can develop into a good player because of his aggressive style.

FEARLESS FORECAST

There are other worthy candidates, but Ravens RB Jamal Lewis deserves strong consideration for NFL Rookie of the Year. Yes, the Ravens are a defense-driven team, but Lewis has given Baltimore at least one offensive threat who must be respected by opponents.

FANTASY SOURCE

Fred Taylor's streak of 100-yard rushing games could come to an end this week. The Jaguars face the NFL's No. 2-ranked run defense, and the Giants will be fighting for playoff position. The Jags have whipped up on a powder-puff schedule in the second half, and they will struggle vs. New York.

For more fantasy football go to fantasy.sportingnews.com

Baltimore

11-4: 2nd

Rod Woodson stands out as secondary stifles offenses

The secondary has been holding up its end as part of the top-ranked defense in the NFL. While the unit didn't look great against Arizona Sunday, it has excelled for most of the season, as evidenced by a league low in touchdowns allowed. FS Rod Woodson is headed to another Pro Bowl, and his knowledge of the game provides extra security behind CBs Chris McAlister and Duane Starks. SS Kim Herring is enjoying his best season as a pro. Starks has struggled at times this season and gets tested deep by teams at least once a game. McAlister, who has All-Pro potential and attitude, has played well most of the season but has risen to a new level lately. He is showing signs of shutting down his side of the field, but he needs to reach that level consistently against the NFL's premier receivers. It will be interesting to see how well he performs in the playoffs, when he has to go against better and more consistent talent. He has gotten much work in the last three games against Dallas, San Diego and Cleveland ... Defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis sent letters of interest for several vacant college head-coaching jobs. He received no replies, not even a form rejection letter. This is one of the NFL's best defenses over the last two decades, yet Lewis isn't able to draw interest. It seems college football has taken its cue from the NFL, which still has a problem hiring African-American coaches. Look for the Vikings' Dennis Green and the Bucs' Tony Dungy to become more vocal about the NFL hiring more black head coaches.... RB Jamal Lewis is the team's most consistent weapon fight now, but he better watch his goal-line dives. He leaped for a touchdown Sunday when it wasn't necessary and left the ball exposed.

SCOUTING REPORT: LB Peter Boulware had a slow start because of a shoulder injury, but he is starting to come on at the end of the season. Boulware is becoming more comfortable with the shoulder and becoming a top pass-rushing threat again. He has great speed off the corner, but he still needs to become better with his hands. He also needs to find a second move for use after his first is stopped.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: DT Sam Adams, who has surprised observers this season with his consistent effort, made the Pro Bowl. Adams came to the Ravens with the reputation for taking plays off and being lazy, but he has played as well as any member of the team's top-ranked defense. Adams must have the quickest first step of any defensive tackle in the NFL. --Mike Preston

GRADING OUT vs. Arizona

OFFENSE D

This unit hasn't had any juice for two straight weeks. RB Jamal Lewis is a bright spot.

DEFENSE B

DTs Adams and Siragusa dominated, and DE McCrary produced consistent pressure.

SPECIAL TEAMS C

They didn't do anything to win or lose the game, and that isn't a good thing.

COACHING D

Billick didn't have his team ready to play. The players were too relaxed.

RAVENS

PASSING   Att.   Comp.   Pct.   Yds.   Long

Banks      274     150   54.7   1578    53t
Dilfer     201     123   61.2   1403    59t

PASSING   TD   Int.   Rate   Sacks

Banks      8      8   69.3      19
Dilfer    11      9   81.7      20

RUSHING     Att.   Yds.   Avg.   TD

Ja. Lewis    287   1312    4.6    6
Holmes       135    581    4.3    2
Dilfer        19     72    3.8    0

RECEIVING    No.   Yds.   Avg.   TD

Sharpe        62    764   12.3    5
Ismail        48    648   13.5    4
Holmes        29    181    6.2    0

SCORING   XPM   XPA   FGM   FGA   Pts.

Stover     27    27    34    37    129

PUNTING        No.   Yds.   Avg.   Blk.

Richardson      76   3035   39.9     0

KO RETURNS     No.   Yds.   Avg.    TD

Harris          34    800   23.5     0

PUNT RETURNS   No.   Yds.   Avg.    TD

J. Lewis        32    405   12.7     0