Pass Offense

SCOUTING REPORT Ravens run offense vs. Bengals run defense -- RAVENS Past and recent history heavily favors the Ravens. The league's leading rusher, Jamal Lewis, has gained 100 yards in each of his four meetings with the Bengals, averaging 120 yards a game. Over the past four games, Lewis has accounted for 53.7 percent of the team's total offense (673 of 1,253 yards). Cincinnati ranks 22nd in run defense but has held its past two opponents (Cleveland and Buffalo) to 80 yards or fewer rushing as a team.

Jamal Lewis is looking to catch a break - or at least one teammate to catch a downfield pass. After carrying the offensive load as well as a few tacklers on his back in Sunday's 26-18 win over the Arizona Cardinals, the NFL's leading rusher stressed the need for a passing game to keep defenses off balance. Seemingly drawing bigger crowds at the line of scrimmage than the ones in the Sun Devil Stadium stands, Lewis has taken a pounding in running over defenses solely focused on stopping him. He suffered a sprained and bruised shoulder against the Cardinals but did not miss a series.

SCOUTING REPORT Ravens run offense vs. Chargers run defense -- RAVENS Jamal Lewis is coming off an NFL-record 295 yards rushing and needs 182 yards today to break the all-time mark for two consecutive games. The rushing attack won't be at full strength since left guard Edwin Mulitalo won't play because of an ankle injury. Casey Rabach, who is smaller but more athletic than Mulitalo, replaces the mauling run blocker. The heavy advantage still goes to the Ravens, who are playing the league's fourth-worst run defense.

Ravens defensive coaches designate an "explosive" offensive play as one over 15 yards. For Sunday's home game against the Cleveland Browns, they may want to move that number up a few notches. Cleveland has scored four passing touchdowns of more than 29 yards the past two games and undoubtedly will try to attack a Ravens pass defense that has bent throughout much of the season (25th in the league) but rarely broken enough to give up the long touchdowns (three over 30 yards, none over 40)

SCOUTING REPORT Ravens run offense vs. Steelers run defense -- EVEN Over the past four weeks, Ravens running back Jamal Lewis has gained at least 75 yards for the league's 18th-ranked running attack. Lewis' biggest problem has been holding onto the ball, fumbling three times in four games. The offensive line will be bolstered by the return of right tackle Ethan Brooks (back spasms), which allows Edwin Mulitalo to move back to left guard. The Steelers, who have the sixth-best run defense, have been unpredictable.

COLLEGE PARK - Maryland football coach Ralph Friedgen yesterday produced a laundry list regarding the Florida State offense his team will face Saturday night. Veteran offensive line. Blocking fullback. Tailbacks who gain nearly 8 yards per carry. A quarterback who is elusive. Receivers as fast as any the Terrapins will play this year. "They're pretty good on offense, and I've been watching them all day on offense," Friedgen said during his weekly news conference. So far this season, Greg Jones and Nick Maddox have combined for 404 yards on a mere 56 carries for the No. 5 Seminoles (2-0)