ESPN.com - Baxter Bits: Ravens vs. Falcons

ESPN.com: NFL

Wednesday, September 29, 1999
Updated: September 30, 10:59 PM ET
Baxter Bits: Ravens vs. Falcons

By Russell S. Baxter
Special to ESPN.com

The Ravens make their second appearance at the Georgia Dome this year (Baltimore managed a 19-6 victory this summer in Atlanta) as these clubs battle in the regular-season for the first time ever.

Numbers: The Ravens have scored 162 points in seven wins, 154 points in 12 losses dating back to '98. They have committed 34 turnovers in their last 14 games dating back to '98. The Ravens have committed 2 or more turnovers in 3 straight games. IF HE PLAYS: In six career games vs. Atlanta (all with the Rams), Ravens QB Tony Banks has completed 103-of-170 passes (60.6%) for 1,475 yards, 10 touchdowns and just 2 interceptions, plus rushed for one touchdown -- Banks' average TD pass in those games (272) covering 27.2 yards.

In 3 games in '99, the Falcons own a minus-6 turnover differential, second worst in the NFL--this after leading the league in turnover differential (plus-20) in 1998. The Falcons have committed eight turnovers in three games in '99, this after giving up the ball just 24 times in 16 games in '98. Including playoffs, the Falcons have scored 469 points in 16 wins (29.3 PPG), but just 70 points in six losses (11.7 PPG) dating back to '98. The Falcons are 22-11 (including playoffs) with QB Chris Chandler as the starter while Falcons' backup quarterbacks are 1-4 dating back to '97. They have totaled three or more sacks in 20 of their last 35 contests dating back to '97. Atlanta has been limited to fewer than 100 yards rushing in 3 straight games, and to 14 or fewer points in three straight games.

Things To Look For: While Brian Billick is used to coaching offensive juggernauts, he'll settle for fewer points and fewer mistakes if it means a win, and QB Stoney Case managed to get it done with his feet last week as the Ravens broke into the victory column. Who would have thought that Baltimore would have a better record than the defending NFC champions, but Dan Reeves' battered Falcons are really reeling.

Etc.: The Falcons are 0-3 for the third time in four years (1996-99). The Ravens have lost three straight road games dating back to '98. Since entering the NFL in 1996, the Ravens are 7-19 vs. AFC Central rivals and 10-14-1 vs. the rest of the league. The Falcons have lost three straight games. Including Super Bowl XXXIII, the Falcons are just 9-16 vs. AFC teams dating back to 1993 (3-2 in '98). Falcons PK Morten Andersen has scored at least 1 point in an NFL-record 241 straight games