NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Round 3 of a heavyweight grudge match between the Ravens and Tennessee Titans will unfold today in an AFC divisional playoff game at Adelphia Coliseum.
It will feature the two best defenses in the NFL, two of the most relentless running games and two AFC Central Division rivals that respect - but don't like - each other.
Asked if respect or animosity best characterized the feeling between the teams, Ravens defensive tackle Sam Adams cut to the heart of the matter.
"Both, I'd say," Adams said. "We beat them, and everybody [in Tennessee] is like, `That was a fluke.' But it doesn't matter. After this week, if we beat them, it can be a fluke, as long as I get that ring on my finger."
The Ravens (13-4) handed Tennessee (13-3) its only loss at Adelphia the past two years on Nov. 12, giving rise to the belief they can do it again in the glare of postseason play.
While it's not quite time to crown a champion or earn a ring, the consensus of both teams is that today's winner will go on to the Super Bowl.
In fact, today's winner will advance to next week's AFC championship game against the survivor of yesterday's semifinal between the Miami Dolphins and Oakland Raiders.
The fourth-seeded Ravens, coming off a 21-3 rout of the Denver Broncos, are attempting to become the AFC's third wild-card entry in four years to reach the Super Bowl. They have won an NFL-best eight straight games.
The first-seeded Titans, coming off a bye, are attempting to defend the AFC championship they won as a No. 4 seed a year ago. Denver also reached the Super Bowl as a fourth-seeded wild-card team in 1997.
"These are the two best teams [in the AFC]," said Tennessee safety Blaine Bishop. "No question, the team that wins it has the best shot at winning the big one."
This appears to be a combustible mix of withering defense and bone-jarring running games. The Ravens set NFL records for fewest points and rushing yards allowed in a 16-game season, but finished second in total defense to Tennessee.
The Ravens, behind Jamal Lewis, ranked fifth in rushing offense. The Titans, behind Eddie George, ranked seventh.
The bigger debate last week was over who had the better defense.
"It's just a numbers thing," said Ravens defensive tackle Tony Siragusa. "I don't have any problem with that. To be the best, it doesn't matter what you are in someone else's eyes, it's what you are in your eyes.
