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"Must See, Top of the Ticket, Game of the Week"
By George Bruce
"Must see, top of the ticket, game of the week." These are just a couple of the many quotes by the so-called experts describing the Ravens game with the Jacksonville Jaguars this Sunday at PSINET Stadium. This is obviously the game every football fan in the country wants to see. With Fred Taylor listed as doubtful, expect Mark Brunell to come out gunning to his fleet receivers - Keenan McCardle, Jimmy Smith, and backup receiver R. Jay Soward. Brunell completed 24 of 34 passes for 301 yards and one touchdown Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. He will test both Ravens cornerbacks - Chris McAlester and Duane Starks early and often. They might be limping into town, but don't take them for granted. They have lost more key players than perhaps any team in the NFL beginning with their top offensive linemen, Leon Searchy and Tony Boselli and star running back Fred Taylor and linebacker Carnell Lake. Zach Wiegert moves into Searchy's place and Brenden Stai, whom they picked up in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs, will line up next to Wiegert. Sophmore John Wade will start at center. The Ravens have never beaten the Jags, so this is a must win in order to prove they are legitimate contenders and to get off to a 2-0 start with 5 of 7 road games coming up. Free agent Henry Nickerson was signed to make up for the loss of linebacker Carnell Lake and has complemented defensive end Tony Brackens. Their defense is their strongest unit. Last year it tied the league with 57 sacks and surrendered a league-low of 13.6 points per game. The Ravens are also coming off an opening season 16-0 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers. They are in good shape physically. Offensive center Jeff Mitchell, who injured his knee Sunday, is expected to play and Patrick Johnson's return will beef up our fleet receivers corps. Like the Jags, the Ravens defense is their strongest unit and was the second best in the NFL last year. So the matchups between theses two defenses is the main reason why so many around the country want to watch this game. Key on the cornerbacks of both teams because they could be the ones who determine the outcome of the game. This could be the game Tony Banks guns it to his two tight end set of Shannon Sharpe and Ben Coates. The Steelers shut Sharpe down Sunday and limited Coates to 1 catch for 5 yards but their presence was felt. Offensive center Jeff Mitchell who injured his knee Sunday is expected to play and Patrick Johnson's return will beef up our fleet receivers corps. The Steelers were worried so much about them that they left the running lanes open. That allowed running back Priest Holmes to gain 119 yards and move deep enough into Steelers territory to set up three field goals. It also allowed Qadry Ismail to breeze by cornerback Chad Scott for the Ravens only touchdown. However, coach Brian Billick was probably saving his best for the best, keeping it conservative and taking what was given, so he wouldn't tip his hand against the Jags. If the Jags open it up, look for the Ravens to open it up as well. The Jags just can't cover everyone.
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