• The Baltimore Ravens, now 2-1, host the Tennessee Titans, one of the NFL’s 3 remaining unbeaten teams, this Sunday, Oct. 5, at M&T Bank Stadium. Game time is 1 p.m. ET. At 4-0, the Titans lead the AFC South, while the Ravens trail the 3-1 Steelers in theAFC North.

• The Ravens dropped their 1st road game of the season when they lost 23-20 in overtime at Pittsburgh last Monday. Baltimore built a 13-3 halftime lead and then trailed 20-13 in the 4th quarter before tying the game at 20 in regulation. Jeff Reed’s 46-yard FG won the game in overtime.

• The Titans are 4-0 for the 1st time in their franchise history, which includes the team’s time as the Houston Oilers. In their last 8 games, they have allowed 17 points or less in each, including the 30-17 victory over the Vikings last Sunday. Their only loss in this run was the 17-6 defeat at San Diego in a Wild Card playoff game last season. Tennessee finished the 2007 regular season with wins over the Colts (16-10), the Jets (10-6) and the Chiefs (26-17).

• The Titans began 2008 with triumphs over Jacksonville (17-10), at Cincinnati (24-7) in their only road game, and Houston (31-12). Following this Sunday’s home game, the Ravens play on the road 5 of the next 6 weeks, including back-to-back trips to Indianapolis (10/12) and Miami (10/19). Baltimore’s lone M&T Bank Stadium visit during the next 6 weeks will come on 10/26 against the visiting Raiders. After that respite, the Ravens go to Cleveland (11/2), to Houston (11/9) for the makeup of the 9/14 postponed game, and to the Giants (11/16).

BITTER RIVALRY

• Since Baltimore returned to the NFL in 1996, the Ravens have played 17 games against the Titans (2 games in ’96 as the Oilers).The Ravens lead the regular season series 8-7, and the 2 teams have split a pair of memorable playoff games. In 2000, when the Ravens won Super Bowl XXXV, Baltimore was 2nd in the division to the 13-3 Titans. Earlier that season, the Ravens became the 1st visiting team to win at LP Field, then known as Adelphia Coliseum.

• The Ravens lead the regular season series, 8-7, over Tennessee and are tied, 1-1, in playoff games.

• The Ravens have won 5 of their last 6 regular season meetings against the Titans, including the 2006 contest (27-26 at Tennessee on 11/12).

HOMETOWN COOKIN’

• Winners of 3 straight at home, the Ravens are 19-6 in their last 25 home games. Dating back to 2000, Baltimore is 48-18 at M&T Bank Stadium, tied ( Denver) for the 2nd-best home record in the NFL.

• The Ravens are 33-3 at M&T when limiting opponents to 14 points or less.  So far in ’08 the Ravens are yielding 14.3 points per game but their defense has limited opponents to 9.7 points/contest.

• The Ravens are 20-1 at M&T when opposing offenses are held to 225 yards or less.  In 2008 the Ravens have stymied their rivals to the tune of 186 yards per game.

WHAT’S IN A NUMBER?

• 19: Points the Ravens overcame to win 27-26 on 11/12/06 at Tennessee. Baltimore was down 27-7 and prevailed after mounting the largest comeback in team history.

• 41.8: Baltimore’s opponent QB rating in 2008, best in the NFL..

COMING FROM THE DARK SIDE

Three Ravens players, CB Samari Rolle, WR Derrick Mason and FB Lorenzo Neal, played for the Titans at one point in their career. Rolle and Mason made their Pro Bowl appearances as Titans – Rolle in 2000 and Mason in 2000 and 2003. Neal was a Pro Bowl 3rd-alternate in 2000, the same year he was named the NFL’s Best Blocking Fullback by The Sporting News…Steve McNair also played for the 2000 Titans’ team.

RAY RAY RELISHES HIS MEETS V. TENNESSEE