Quarterbacks Easily Could Become Focus

Statistics are virtually meaningless in judging the proficiency of Steve McNair and Trent Dilfer.

Plenty of quarterbacks had better numbers this season, yet no team has won more games than Tennessee (13-3) and Baltimore (13-4). McNair and Dilfer may not play in the Pro Bowl this year, but one of them has an excellent chance of playing in the Super Bowl.

If running backs Eddie George and Jamal Lewis are rendered ineffective by the top two defensive units in the NFL, then Sunday’s game between the Titans and Ravens could be decided by two quarterbacks with a knack for success.

In 68 starts with Tennessee, McNair is 44-24. Dilfer has won nine of his last 11 December starts, is 8-1 as Baltimore’s starter and 2-1 lifetime in the postseason.

Those figures--not quarterback ratings--are what matter most in the playoffs.

McNair’s 83.2 rating was seventh-best in the AFC. Dilfer, who began the season on the bench, finished 11th with a 76.6 rating. Neither McNair nor Dilfer had a single 300-yard game and occasionally failed to reach even triple-figures in yards passing.

And here they are, one win removed from playing for the AFC championship.

“I don’t think that anyone looks at Steve McNair and how many yards he’s passed for, how many touchdowns he’s thrown for, how many yards he’s rushed for,” Titan wide receiver Yancey Thigpen said. “It’s how many games he’s won.”

Dilfer, banished from Tampa Bay before signing with Baltimore as a free agent in March, began the season as the backup to Tony Banks. He made his debut in the fourth quarter of an October loss to the Titans, nearly brought the Ravens back, and has since flourished as the starter.

His nine-for-14 performance in last week’s 21-3 win over Denver was both unimpressive and highly effective. But with Baltimore’s record-setting defense, Dilfer knows he doesn’t have to be spectacular for the Ravens to win.

“Last week Trent threw the ball when he had to and made plays,” Baltimore tight end Shannon Sharpe said. “If we do that, we like our chances, particularly with our defense.”

With McNair in the game, anything’s possible. He brought the Titans back from a 16-0 hole in the last Super Bowl, and his 20-yard run in the loss to Baltimore set up a field goal try after Dilfer’s last-minute touchdown pass.

“Since I’ve been here, in our four games, the difference has been the play of Steve McNair inside and outside the pocket,” Baltimore Coach Brian Billick said. “That’s a two-headed monster we’re playing, and it usually overwhelms most people.”

LOGS

BALTIMORE (13-4)

16 At Pittsburgh: 0

39 Jacksonville: 36

6 At Miami: 19

37 Cincinnati: 0

12 At Cleveland: 0

15 At Jacksonville: 10

3 At Washington: 10

6 Tennessee: 14

6 Pittsburgh: 9

27 Cincinnati: 7

24 At Tennessee: 23

27 Dallas: 0

44 Cleveland: 7

24 San Diego: 3

13 At Arizona: 7

34 N.Y. Jets: 20

21 Denver: 3

*

TENNESSEE (13-3)

13 At Buffalo: 16

17 Kansas City: (OT) 14

23 At Pittsburgh: 20

28 N.Y. Giants: 14

23 At Cincinnati: 14

27 Jacksonville : 13

14 At Baltimore: 6

27 At Washington: 21

9 Pittsburgh: 7

23 Baltimore: 24

24 Cleveland: 10

13 At Jacksonville: 16

15 At Philadelphia: 13

35 Cincinnati: 3

24 At Cleveland: 0

31 Dallas: 0

INJURY REPORT

Baltimore: OUT: TE John Jones (ankle-injured reserve). DOUBTFUL: S Kim Herring (ankle). PROBABLE: DE Rob Burnett (knee/calf); WR Billy Davis (knee); RB Jamal Lewis (knee/calf); G Edwin Mulitalo (knee); DT Tony Siragusa (finger). Tennessee: QUESTIONABLE: LB Greg Favors (thumb); LB Randall Godfrey (groin); DE Kenny Holmes (knee/shoulder); G Bruce Matthews toe); QB Steve McNair (ankle/toe); S Marcus Robertson (leg).