James Trapp

Jermaine Lewis thought his workload in tomorrow's AFC wild-card game might not include filling in at wide receiver, but the return ace will have another full plate of responsibility against the Miami Dolphins at Pro Player Stadium, because Patrick Johnson will most likely be on the sideline for the 12th straight game. Lewis has seen spot duty at wide receiver in place of Johnson, who missed the last 11 games of the regular season with a fractured left clavicle. The fourth-year pro returned to the game plan this week, but coach Brian Billick said Johnson will probably not be able to play after developing plantar fasciitis in one of his feet Thursday.

A major hint on the availability of a couple of linemen should come today. If all goes well and swelling is at a minimum for defensive linemen Rob Burnett and Sam Adams, the Ravens could have both in the lineup for Sunday's showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers at PSINet Stadium. Burnett, who has missed the past three games with a calf injury, practiced yesterday, but Adams did not. Adams had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Nov. 28. He was, however, able to work out with trainer Bill Tessendorf during practice.

Sunday's games Cleveland at Ravens BROWNS: Questionable: SS Earl Little (head); MLB Wali Rainer (ankle). RAVENS: Out: RB Terry Allen (hand); WR Patrick Johnson (clavicle). Doubtful: DE Rob Burnett (calf). Questionable: TE John Jones (leg); DE Michael McCrary (knee); CB James Trapp (groin). Probable: DT Sam Adams (knee); OLB Brad Jackson (leg). Atlanta at Green Bay FALCONS: Doubtful: TE Reggie Kelly (knee). Questionable: QB Chris Chandler (rib); CB-KR Darrick Vaughn (groin/knee). Probable: CB Ray Buchanan (knee)

RAVENS OFFENSIVE TACKLE Jonathan Ogden was putting on his clothes when he was asked if yesterday's 39-27 win against the Indianapolis Colts was the biggest of the season. Ogden thought for a minute, stared at the ceiling, stuttered and then finally reached his conclusion. "Every win is a big win in the National Football League, and every game becomes more important as the season goes on, but this one is probably the biggest," he said. "Yeah, I would have to say so." The win was huge. It keeps the Ravens (8-4)

While they have hit the bye week on a thrilling run, the Ravens envision a more powerful sprint to the playoffs. This break ends a dangerous six-week stretch in which the defending Super Bowl champions won five times in the fourth quarter by sidestepping injuries, a quarterback controversy and a nagging turnover habit. As the players departed the Owings Mills practice facility yesterday for five days of relaxation, they left with a confidence from that electrifying past along with a focus on an optimistic future.

A year ago, cornerback Alvin Porter was helping run a scout team. As a senior at Oklahoma State, Porter was ruled ineligible for the season two days before the opener, though he was allowed to practice. Since Porter could not play on Saturdays, the coaches had him run with the defensive scout team, made up of walk-ons and redshirt freshmen, against the offensive starters. In the Ravens' loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Porter played the final three quarters in place of injured Duane Starks for the defending Super Bowl champions - about as far at the other end of the spectrum that you can be from running with a college scout team.

Player name (Games played) DT Sam Adams (20) FB Obafemi Ayanbadejo (8) DB Robert Bailey (20) QB Tony Banks (14) OL Orlando Bobo (7) OLB Peter Boulware (20) LB O.J. Brigance (20) OLB Cornell Brown (18) DE Rob Burnett (20) TE Ben Coates (20) DT Lional Dalton (20) LB Anthony Davis (18) WR Billy Davis (20) QB Trent Dilfer (13) TE Pedro Edison (0) FB Chuck Evans (5) G/C Mike Flynn (20) OT Spencer Folau (13) FB Sam Gash (19) SS Corey Harris (20)

Thumbs up: Cornerback Alvin Porter had an impressive diving interception in full-team drills. A few plays later, Porter nearly came up with another. Thumbs down: No need. Brian Billick ended practice almost a half-hour early, and praised the tempo and intensity of his team, which does look ready for a game after having few detectable mistakes. Trainer's room: Defensive tackle Tony Siragusa (knee) did not practice. Safeties Pete Destefano (ankle) and Corey Harris (family emergency) missed practice.

Best perseverance: Defensive back Robert Bailey stripped Browns fullback Marc Edwards on consecutive plays inside the Ravens' 5-yard line in the second quarter. Bailey's second forced fumble was recovered in the end zone by safety Rod Woodson. Worst decision: Duane Starks, replacing injured punt returner Jermaine Lewis, elected to field a punt over his shoulder on the Ravens' goal line in the second quarter and got back to the 5. It was Starks' first return of the season. Most redeeming tackle: Cornerback James Trapp, whose 22-yard pass-interference penalty gave Cleveland first-and-goal at the 3-yard line, snuffed running back Travis Prentice on a fourth-down pass at the 4. Worst sight: Left tackle Jonathan Ogden was carted off with an ankle injury in the third quarter, then hobbled in the locker room afterward on crutches.