GAME DAY / HOW THEY MATCH UP

GIANT RUN OFFENSE VS. RAVEN RUN DEFENSE

Baltimore’s run defense starts with the two sides of beef occupying the middle, Tony Siragusa and Sam Adams. They act as roadblocks, freeing Ray Lewis and his cohorts to wreak havoc in opposing backfields. The Ravens held the NFL’s top running game to only 24 yards in Oakland two weeks ago, and there is no reason to believe the Giants will fare any better. For New York to have any success running, Tiki Barber must be effective outside, stretching the middle of the defense and creating holes for Ron Dayne’s inside game. But don’t count on it.

GIANT PASS OFFENSE VS. RAVEN PASS DEFENSE

The hopes and dreams of New York City rest on the arm of Kerry Collins. The Giants must come out attacking, mixing short slants and outs with deeper patterns. Amani Toomer and Ike Hilliard are big receivers and must use their size against a physical Raven secondary that plays a lot of single-man coverage and depends on the front seven getting to the quarterback. New York also must be wary of a Raven defense that will have no qualms about knocking Collins out of the game with a well-timed cheap shot. Watch for Barber in the flat and tight end Pete Mitchell over the middle. Giant offensive coordinator Sean Payton called a masterful game against a woefully undermanned Viking defense in the NFC championship but he won’t have that luxury this time.

RAVEN RUN OFFENSE VS. GIANT RUN DEFENSE

Baltimore will look to do business behind left tackle Jonathan Ogden. By running Jamal Lewis off tackle with fullback Sam Gash leading the way, the Ravens won’t mind chewing up the clock at three yards a pop. Giant linebacker Jessie Armstead must lead the swarm and force the Ravens into second and long. That would force Trent Dilfer into being more of a factor than the Ravens want. The key for the Ravens will be to remain patient, stick with the running game, and wear down the Giants’ front seven.

RAVEN PASS OFFENSE VS. GIANT PASS DEFENSE

The Giants will blitz Dilfer and force him to get rid of the ball quickly. Look for the Ravens to counter with play-action slants as well as screen passes and draw plays. Dilfer will work the middle of the field to Shannon Sharpe, since the Giant safeties are likely to be preoccupied with stopping the run. Lone deep threat Qadry Ismail will be shadowed by Jason Sehorn. Despite his inconsistencies, Dilfer gets Baltimore on the scoreboard with at least one big pass play every game. However, if the Giants can put the Ravens in a situation where the success of their offense depends on Dilfer, New York greatly improves its chances.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Ravens are superior to the Giants in every facet of special teams. Baltimore kicker Matt Stover has two field goals over 50 yards. Giant Brad Daluiso has made only nine of 15 attempts beyond 30 yards. Raven punter Kyle Richardson is an expert at sending opposing offenses into exile behind their own 20-yard line, having done it 35 times during the regular season. Raven return man Jermaine Lewis sets the table with at least one good return every game. Something as simple as field position can be the difference between winning and losing.

COACHING

This game is not so much Jim Fassel versus Brian Billick as it is a battle between Payton, the Giant offensive coordinator, and Raven defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis. If Payton can get the Giants on the board with an early touchdown or two, the Ravens could be in trouble. Billick may be an offensive guru, but without the proper chess pieces it will be hard to mount a comeback if Baltimore falls behind. But Lewis will have his defense looking to score every time the Giants have the ball.

INTANGIBLES

Both teams have savvy coaching, stable veterans, stingy defenses and play-making ability. So who has the advantage? The Ravens. They hold the edge in all the little things. Baltimore has forced opposing offenses into poor field position and turnovers all season. The Raven defense doesn’t merely stop the opposition, it humiliates them.

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CAPSULE

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THE MATCHUPS BAL NYG Points scored 20.8 (14) 20.5 (15) Points allowed 10.3 (1) 15.4 (5) Passing Offense 175.9 (22) 210.4 (13) Rushing Offense 137.4 (5) 125.6 (11) Total Offense 313.4 (16) 336.0 (13) Passing Defense 187.3 (8) 211.9 (16) Rushing Defense 60.6 (1) 72.3 (2) Total Defense 247.9 (2) 284.1 (5) Time of Possession 33:19 (2) 31:39 (7) Turnover Ratio +23 (1) +7 (9) Red Zone Touchdown Percentage 40.0 (26) 54.4 (T8) Third Down Conversions 40.3 (11) 40.2 (13) Opp. Third Down Conversions 34.1 (5) 35.6 (9) Three and Out 21.5 (13) 18.2 (5) Opponents’ Three and Out 28.4 (5) 27.4 (8) Sacks 35 (22) 44 (T9) Sacks Allowed 43 (T19) 28 (T4)

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Robyn Norwood’s pick: Ravens. Turnovers, special teams advantages might make the difference.

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INSIDE THE NUMBERS

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INSIDE THE NUMBERS BAL NYG ROY JURGENS’ COMMENT Takeaways 49 (1) 31 (12) Ravens led NFL with 26 fumble recoveries. Opp. goal to go TDs 4 (1) 13 (T8) Baltimore allowed only 4 TDs in 11 series. Opp. Red Zone 29.6 (2) 48.9 (15) Ravens surrendered only 8 red-zone TDs . Backup QBs 69.3 0.0 Banks erratic in 8 starts; Garrett played little. 10+ yard runs 60 (T5) 52 (15) Don’t count on many today. 25+ yard passes 27 (T10) 25 (T12) Ravens’ big-play ability underrated. 40+ yard field goals 12/15 4/7 Ravens’ Stover is more consistent. Punts in Opp. 20 35 (1) 26 (9) Ravens’ Richardson stymied Raiders. Penalties 95 (10) 91 (T11) Giants had fewer but for more yards. Punt returns 15.8 (1) 20.8 (25) Ravens’ Lewis is dangerous return man. Opp. punt returns 9.3 (13) 12.6 (25) Ravens excellent on special teams. Kickoff returns 22.3 (12) 20.8 (25) Giants need Dixon on his game. Opp. kickoff returns 21.3 (10) 22.5 (20) Giants haven’t yielded big return since 11th game.

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