Pass Offense

Ravens run offense vs. Raiders run defenseIf the Ravens are to gain any yards, it will have to be on quick hitters and power plays. The Raiders have an aggressive defense and tackles Russell Maryland and Darrell Rusell may be a little too athletic for guards Jeff Blackshear and Ben Cavil. Ravens tackles Jonathan Ogden and Orlando Brown should be able to move ends James Harris and Lance Johnstone off the ball, but the Ravens need a good day from fullback Roosevelt Potts. -- EDGE -- RAIDERSRavens pass offense vs. Raiders pass defenseThe Raiders have two good and aggressive cornerbacks in Charles Woodson and Eric Allen, but they also like to take chances, which means the Ravens could get a few big plays.

To give you a look at Maryland and this week's opponent, Georgia Tech, I traded five question-and-answers with Ken Sugiura, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Georgia Tech beat writer. Here are Ken's responses to my Georgia Tech-themed questions.   1) Does Paul Johnson ever refer back to his Navy days? Can you even find crabs in Atlanta? He mentions his teams at Navy occasionally, usually, not surprisingly, in response to questions about his background or experiences in coaching.

Ravens run offense vs. Steelers run defenseEdge - EvenThe keys to the 3-4 defense are linebackers, and the Steelers lost three to injury last week, including Jason Gildon and Steve Conley for several weeks and Pro Bowl pick Greg Lloyd for the season. The Steelers still have some solid performers on the front line, but the Ravens have a solid-enough line to neutralize that group.Ravens pass offense vs. Steelers pass defenseThe Steelers don't have DL Ray Seals and Lloyd, both out for the season with injuries.

Once a question mark, the Ravens' pass defense currently ranks as the stingiest in the NFL. The accolades have begun pouring in, but at least one member of the secondary said he didn't mind the doubts. "I'm happy for all of the criticism we got this offseason because I feel like guys stepped up and felt like we had to silence some people," cornerback Fabian Washington said Wedensday. "But we want people to just keep talking because it's motivation. Some people go in the tank off of stuff like that, and others rise up and use it as motivation.

Ravens run offense versus Rams run defense:Despite injuries to starters center Steve Everitt, left guard Jonathan Ogden and right tackle Orlando Brown, Ravens still have too much firepower up front for the Rams. St. Louis is ranked 23rd in the NFL in rushing defense allowing an average of 125.6 yards. Look for Ravens runners Bam Morris and Earnest Byner to have good days.Edge: Ravens.Ravens pass offense versus Rams pass defense:The Ravens Vinny Testaverde is one of the hottest quarterbacks in the league right now, and currently the top rated in the AFC. Receivers Michael Jackson, Derrick Alexander and tight end Eric Green should get impressive numbers against the Rams, who are ranked 28th in the league in passing allowing an average 251.1 yards.

Tonight's preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers represents a sneak preview of the Ravens' new passing attack. Hometown fans and a national television audience want to see whether Anquan Boldin, Donte' Stallworth and two rookie tight ends will instantly provide some big plays and touchdowns to the Ravens' offense. Boldin, though, has a different mindset for his one-quarter cameo at M&T Bank Stadium. "As a veteran, you just want to get it over with," said Boldin, who was acquired in a March trade from the Arizona Cardinals.

Ravens run offense vs. Eagles run defense: Willis McGahee gained only 18 yards last Sunday, which tied his season low. The last time he was held to 18 yards was at Indianapolis, and he followed that with 105 yards at Miami. In the past two games, Ray Rice hasn't broken a run longer than 8 yards and Le'Ron McClain hasn't scored a touchdown. Philadelphia is ranked No. 11 against the run despite giving up 100 yards to three running backs in six games. MLB Stewart Bradley, who went to high school with Haloti Ngata, has 33 tackles in his past two games.

NEW ORLEANS -- This rebuilding city and its reborn football team were ready to celebrate their first division championship since 2000 with a playoff-clinching victory over the Washington Redskins inside the raucous Superdome yesterday. The New Orleans Saints have won the NFC South and will be going to the playoffs, but the party was ruined by the Redskins, who used their best defensive performance of the season and another triple-digit effort from running back Ladell Betts to win, 16-10.

Federal judges in Maryland are throwing out routine traffic violations at military bases, hospitals and research centers across the state, giving a free pass to scofflaw motorists and putting at risk some of the millions of dollars in ticket revenue. One judge at Andrews Air Force Base tossed out every traffic citation on his docket earlier this month. Other judges have acquitted defendants charged with driving with a suspended license at the Bethesda-based National Naval Medical Center and National Institutes of Health.

SCOUTING REPORT Ravens run offense vs. Colts run defense: This is where the Ravens want to establish their grind-it-out tempo. Expect a heavy dose of Jamal Lewis and Chester Taylor as the Ravens try to exploit an undersized Colts defensive front. The plan is to split carries between their backs because there are questions about Lewis' endurance after a limited preseason. Last season, Indianapolis gave up 4.6 yards a carry, which was tied for second worst in the NFL. But it could all be moot if the Colts jump out to a big lead and force the Ravens to pass to catch up. EDGE: Ravens Ravens pass offense vs. Colts pass defense: The Colts' strength on defense is their pass rush.