COACH JEFF FISHER and the Tennessee Titans have joined the Denver Broncos and their coach, Mike Shanahan. The Ravens and Brian Billick own them. If the Titans were 15-0 heading into a game with the 0-15 Ravens, bet on the Ravens.
Bank on it. Don't bet your house on it, but your neighbor's, to be safe.
In another freak game in this series, the Ravens ran their unbeaten streak to five games over Tennessee yesterday in a 13-12 victory.
The Titans had 402 yards of total offense compared with 199 for the Ravens. The Titans had almost an 8 1/2 -minute advantage in time of possession, 20 more offensive plays and twice as many third-down conversions. Yet, the Ravens won.
Again.
"It's frustrating playing this team, really, really frustrating," said Tennessee tight end Frank Wycheck, a former University of Maryland star. "I guess you could say they have had their way against us."
It's so bizarre now that it's amusing. Let's roll back the game film. In the playoff game in the 2000 season, the Ravens won largely because of a blocked field-goal try returned for a touchdown, an interception returned for a touchdown and a long pass that set up a field goal.
Last year on Monday Night Football, Titans quarterback Steve McNair's 1-yard game-winning quarterback sneak for a touchdown was nullified because Ravens outside linebacker Peter Boulware was called for illegal contact.
On the next play, defensive tackle Sam Adams and safety Corey Harris helped stop McNair on another quarterback sneak as time expired in the Ravens' 16-10 win.
There is always something.
Then came yesterday.
The Ravens were all set up for a loss. Tennessee had won five straight, and the Ravens had the highest-paid cheerleading squad in the history of the NFL on the sideline, with defensive end Michael McCrary, linebacker Ray Lewis, cornerback Chris McAlister and receiver Brandon Stokley out because of injuries.
And the Titans still lost.
Why?
Ravens safety Ed Reed blocked a punt and returned it 11 yards for a touchdown early in the first quarter, and Titans running back Eddie George couldn't hold onto a 4-yard touchdown pass about four minutes later.
His teammate, Derrick Mason, couldn't hold onto a 3-yard touchdown pass in the back of the end zone late in the fourth quarter, and Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair played just as miserably as his Ravens counterpart, Jeff Blake, by throwing three interceptions and losing a fumbled snap.
