Like the Oakland Raiders (2-4), the Baltimore Ravens (3-3) put a stop to their three game losing streak last weekend. Both clubs feel better about themselves in regards to their divisional positioning due to the weakness of both the AFC West and North.

Both teams last met in Baltimore in 2006, when the Ravens sacked Andrew Walter six times en route to a 28-6 shellacking. The Ravens have won four of the last five meetings, including a victory in the AFC championship game in 2000, and hold a 4-1 advantage in the series since their first contest in 1996.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

On Offense:

This week will be a huge test for the offensive coaching staff; its offensive line and the trio of ball carriers that have helped the Raiders attain the 5^th best rush attack in the league. The Ravens are the leagues best rush defense, allowing 67.2 yards per game, allowing a measly 2.8 yards per carry.

Oakland was able to get by last weekend without a consistent ground game, but considering they are on the road and the passing game is still erratic, establishing a steady chain moving attack with Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden and Michael Bush is imperative.

If that fails, you can’t expect JaMarcus Russell to shoulder the burden of the offense, even though strides were made last weekend when Oakland finally decided to open the playbook in overtime and allow him to find Zach Miller and Javon Walker down the field.

“They get to the ball and they look forward to 11 guys on defense making plays,” Russell was quoted today regarding the Ravens. “They fly around that ball, man. They get around the ball. It’s just something we have to be ready for and go out there and know it’s going to be a dogfight.”

What to Expect:

The Ravens are very stout in pass coverage as well, so expecting Russell to have a solid effort on the road against an aggressive bunch is quite unfair. But the Raiders must sustain an attack and use all three of their rushers effectively to keep the Ravens off-balance and moving backward. McFadden now, more than ever, needs to be the multi-purpose threat that he was when he was in Arkansas. Whether as a decoy or a main target, the Raiders must put him in varying formations so the Ravens can account for his presence on the field.

On Defense:

Rob Ryan’s defense was flying high after Sunday, stopping the Jets on three overtime drives before winning the game. And the defensive coordinator talked about how glad he was to see the team fight and respond to criticism that they taken over the last few weeks, especially after blowing leads late in games. “As much [expletive] as our unit has taken….”, said Ryan.

“But we take a lot of [expletive] in the press and everywhere else and its great to see our guys fight like hell and help us win the game.”

Rookie Trevor Scott was a key to that win, and his two sacks, both on 3^rd downs to kill drives, helped ease the loss of Derrick Burgess, who sat for a second consecutive game.

“That kid has a lot of talent. And he’s getting better. Keith [Millard] is doing a hell of a job with him. The kid is a like a sponge. He listens to Keith, and learns from him, and I think he’s going to keep on getting better and better”, stated Ryan on Wednesday.

What to Expect:

Burgess is still uncertain for Sunday, but with Scott’s emergence, it gives the Raiders flexibility due to Kalimba Edwards solid play lately and the steadiness of Jay Richardson on the right side. Oakland has racked up 16 sacks this season, and with the Ravens starting a young passer, it will be interesting to see how much heat the front seven can generate in order to confuse and facilitate some mistakes out of Joe Flacco.

BALTIMORE RAVENS

On Offense:

The Ravens pegged Joe Flacco the starter at the onset of the season and have never looked back.

The rookie has only thrown 2 touchdowns and 7 interceptions, and has put up a poor 68.8 passer rating so far, but he is aided by a rushing attack which is ranked 7^th in the league, led by the trio of Willis McGahee (293 yards rushing), Le’Ron McClain (281 yards) and Ray Rice (121 yards).

Derrick Mason is enjoying a fine start to his campaign, compiling 418 yards on 33 receptions and one score so far.

“I’m sure Oakland is going to be cranked up to stop that running game, so we’ve got to find a way to run it against them, and to throw it and to run the screen game and to protect the quarterback and all the things we have to do,” said first-year coach John Harbaugh on the Ravens’ official Web site.

What to Expect:

Oakland is allowing 136.2 yards per game rushing. Their secondary at this point must feel confident after holding Brett Favre to 197 yards passing. So the Ravens must pound away with their rushers if they want to move the chains and keep Flacco from facing a Raider pass rush that has gotten better since the start of the season. When they do pass, the key will be how they utilize Todd Heap and whether or not he can get loose against either Michael Huff or any of the linebackers the Raiders decide to blanket him with.

On Defense:

The Raiders have targeted Terrell Suggs as a major playmaker on the Ravens defense, especially after earning AFC defensive player of the week honors. “He’s got that great intangible that all good defensive players have: He’s going to get his hands on you and is not going to stay blocked,” said Tom Cable. “He’s a tremendous pass rusher, he really is a very good football player, kind of a complete football player.

But they have to realize that linebackers Ray Lewis and Bart Scott can also be disruptive forces in the front seven.

Haloti Ngata (LDE), Justin Bannan (NT) and Trevor Pryce (RDE) anchor a defensive line that has been very good versus the run so far in 2008.

Former Raider Fabian Washington is playing at LCB, but last week, had Frank Walker as a corner mate after the benching of regular starter Chris McAlister.

What to Expect:

Russell doesn’t have much experience facing 3-4 schemes. And with the veteran leadership the Ravens have and their style of play, if they can slow down Fargas, McFadden and Bush, they will be able to force the young Raider passer into many mistakes.

GAME NOTES

• The Ravens have not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 25 straight games. The longest current such streak in the NFL.
• Gerard Warren sat out of practice on Wednesday, but is expected to start in Sunday.
• The Raiders signed LB Robert Thomas this week and placed TE Ben Troupe on injured reserve.

KEY MATCH-UPS

Ryan vs. Ryan

Rex will face Rob, as both defensive coordinators would like to impress their sibling with an onslaught against their opponent. I expect this game to be a defensive battle, and the brother who implements the best attack and has their players in the best situations to succeed will prevail.

Who will succeed more on the ground?

Both teams have shown they can run the football. But the Ravens defense is far better equipped to handle the Raiders effort on the ground.

PREDICTION

Ravens 16 – Raiders 13

TV & RADIO

The game will be televised on CBS with Ian Eagle providing play-by-play and former NFL performer Solomon Wilcots handling color analysis. The game will air locally on KPIX Channel 5. The game will also air in Sacramento on KOVR Channel 13 as well as on KHSL in Chico, KION in Monterey and KJEO in Fresno. The game will air on Raiders Radio originating on KSFO 560 AM, the Silver and Black Flagship for the multi-state Radio Network. Greg Papa and former Raiders player, assistant and head coach Tom Flores will man the booth for the 11th straight year. The radio pregame show and postgame show will feature Raider Legends George Atkinson and David Humm along with KGO’s Rich Walcoff. (Programming information found on the official Raiders Web Site)

GAME INFO

Home Team: Baltimore Ravens (3-3) Home: 2-1 Road: 1-2

Road Team: Oakland Raiders (2-4) Home: 1-2 Road: 1-2

When and Where: Sunday, October 26, 2008, 10:00 a.m. PT | M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD