LIKE ‘OZ’ EPISODE, ONLY WITH INTERCEPTIONS

Shannon Sharpe was talking about the Black Hole. The crazed section of fans at Raider home games, not the Raven offense.

“I’ll be honest with you,” the Baltimore Raven tight end said. “I would rather be in prison for a day. It’s a lot safer.”

Sharpe made several pilgrimages into that black-and-silver nether region during his 10 previous seasons with the Denver Broncos.

“Going out there, everything is fair game,” Sharpe said. “I’ve been hit in the head with some nails and batteries. I’ve had beer thrown on me. Hopefully, we’ll have security there, but I don’t know. They might be in on this thing, so I’m not going to put too much trust in those guys.”

Daunting? Perhaps, but Sharpe quickly pointed out that “crowds don’t win games,” noting that the Ravens won last weekend at Tennessee. “All home-field advantage got [the Titans] was 68,000 disappointed fans.”

True, but the only thing separating the Ravens and Titans in a 24-10 Baltimore victory was a blocked Tennessee field goal (returned 90 yards for a Raven touchdown) and an intercepted pass (returned 53 yards for a Raven touchdown). When Eddie George doesn’t break into the open field and Al Del Greco doesn’t convert his kicks, the Titans are eminently stoppable. The Raiders present a wider array of threats, especially at home, where they are 8-1, having outscored opponents, 300-113.

In all probability, the Ravens are going to require more from quarterback Trent Dilfer than making sure he stays out of Jamal Lewis’ way. Eventually, he’s going to have to throw upfield--and when that happens, it will be game, set and match, Raiders.

The line: Oakland by 6.