Titans vs. Ravens in NFL playoffs: Here's who has the edge
Who has the edge when the Titans (11-5) face the Ravens (11-5) at Nissan Stadium in an AFC Wild Card playoff game on Sunday (12:05 p.m., ABC/ESPN)?
Offense: Titans
The Titans average 30.7 points per game as the No. 2 scoring offense in the AFC. Derrick Henry won his second straight rushing title with 2,027 yards, the fifth-most in NFL history. Ryan Tannehill has passed for 238.7 yards per game, with 33 TDS and seven interceptions. A.J. Brown is a Pro Bowl wideout with 1,075 yards receiving, and Corey Davis also had a career year with 984 yards receiving. The Ravens are almost as good, averaging 29.3 points per game, No. 4 in the AFC. They also lead the NFL in rushing at 191.9 yards per game. Quarterback Lamar Jackson is a 1,000-yard rusher, and he passed for 26 TDS and nine interceptions. But the Ravens don't have as many proven weapons as the Titans.
Defense: Ravens
The Ravens tout the No. 1 scoring defense in the AFC, allowing 18.9 points per game. It has tremendous balance, ranking No. 2 in both rush defense and pass defense. There aren't distinct weaknesses in the unit, which has Pro Bowlers across the lineup in defensive tackle Calais Campbell, linebacker Matt Judon and cornerback Marlon Humphrey. The Titans have allowed 27.4 points per game. Their pass defense is the worst in the AFC, giving up 277.4 yards per game. And their 19 sacks this season are tied for the fewest by a playoff team in NFL history.
Special teams: Ravens
Ravens kicker Justin Tucker was selected to his fourth Pro Bowl team, making 26 of 29 field goals. He is 11-of-12 in playoff games in his career. Punter Sam Koch is a steady 15-year veteran. Titans punter Brett Kern is a three-time Pro Bowl selection and among the best in the
NFL. Kicker Stephen Gostkowski missed the regular-season finale while on the Covid-19/reserve list. Sam Sloman narrowly made a 37-yard game-winning field goal to beat the Texans, but he's a rookie potentially facing his first playoff game.
Intangibles: Titans
This is close to a toss-up because home-field advantage means little with limited attendance during the COVID-19 pandemic. But the Titans have had the Ravens' number lately. They upset No. 1 seed Baltimore in last year's playoffs and pulled out a 30-24 overtime win in November.
Coaching: Titans
John Harbaugh has a strong 13-year tenure as Ravens coach, including a Super Bowl ring. But he hasn't won a playoff game since 2014. Mike Vrabel is only in his third season, but he has a 2-1 record against Harbaugh. That includes an upset over the Ravens last year en route to the AFC Championship game. Also, Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is among the top candidates for head coaching jobs around the league.
Predictions
Gentry Estes, Tennessean columnist Titans 27, Ravens 23
The Ravens are playing well, yes, but that was the case entering last year's playoffs, too. There's just something about this matchup that has seemed to favor the Titans.
Adam Sparks, Tennessean sports reporter
Titans 38, Ravens 34
Offense doesn't always win championships, but it can win Wild Card playoff games. Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill will keep the scoreboard active. So will Lamar Jackson. The Titans' defense won't turn things around from a lackluster season, but a hunch says it'll make a couple of timely plays to clinch this one.
Reach Adam Sparks at asparks@tennessean.com and on Twitter @AdamSparks.