Ravens looking Super againBy Joe Theismann Special to ESPN.com ESPN analyst Joe Theismann answers some key questions going into the divisional playoff round this weekend:
Are the Ravens really back to their Super Bowl form? And the defense did the rest. The Dolphins' three points came on a four-play drive after Jermaine Lewis fumbled the opening kickoff, so the Ravens' defense really pitched a shutout. The Ravens have a running game by committee, with Terry Allen, Jason Brookins and Moe Williams. All three of them did a great job against the Dolphins, going over 200 yards rushing for the second time in two weeks. The stats were similar to how the Ravens won last year. Who put on the most impressive wild-card performance -- Donovan McNabb, Jerry Rice, Brett Favre or the Ravens' defense?Each one is a great choice. It's difficult to choose one. But I would have to say Rice had the most impressive performance. We saw just how important Rice is to what Oakland does. He looked more like 29 than 39 in the Raiders' victory, catching nine passes for 183 yards and a touchdown. Which bye team has the toughest divisional playoff matchup? The Pittsburgh Steelers have the toughest matchup because they are playing the division rival Ravens in the rubber match. This is the game the Ravens wanted. They beat Pittsburgh at Heinz Field and then got embarrassed at home. Ravens cornerback Chris McAlister has to be excited about the game because Plaxico Burress took him to school in the last meeting. The question will be whether or not Kordell Stewart can have the same type of game he did the last time.
Which wild-card winner has the toughest matchup? In the AFC, the New England Patriots and the Ravens will advance. In the NFC, it will be the St. Louis Rams and the Chicago Bears. The Pats have played one football game in a month. Tom Brady can make a difference, and I believe Bill Belichick is the best defensive coordinator in football. He will figure out a way to control the Raiders' offense. It’s not a coincidence that the teams in the final eight are led by some of the best defensive coordinators in football. Again, the Steelers played a perfect game to beat the Ravens. I don't believe they will do it again. Plus, Baltimore has the confidence to go into Pittsburgh and win. Against Green Bay, St. Louis will open it up and put points on the board. The Rams' offense put so much pressure on teams. If they don’t make mistakes, they are unstoppable. Favre likes to throw downfield and has learned to be patient. However, he will have to throw the football a lot to keep up with the Rams, so he could potentially throw three or four interceptions. In Chicago, linebacker Brian Urlacher will have his hands full with McNabb. The Eagles' defense can shut down Chicago’s running game. The biggest question will be whether or not Bears quarterback Jim Miller can make the big plays downfield. Weather may be a factor, but I don’t believe Chicago’s miracle has ended yet. Forget about the matchups on the field -- Chicago could be a team of destiny. Ultimately, what proved to be Tony Dungy's demise in Tampa?The ineffectiveness of his offense over a three-year period proved to be Dungy’s undoing. While the Bucs' defense was strong enough to win championships, the offense was never good. Dungy, however, will be a success no matter where he goes. A game analyst for ESPN's Sunday Night Football, former NFL QB Joe Theismann won a Super Bowl and a league MVP award. He reviews the NFL each week for ESPN.com in Cup o' Joe. |
||||


