Instead of Playoffs, Pride Is at Stake For Reeling Ravens

This was supposed to be a difficult stretch for the Baltimore Ravens, having to play the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts in back-to-back nationally televised games, with a short week of preparation in between. When the schedule was released in April, the hope was this would provide a preview of what the Ravens might face in the postseason.

Instead, it is a chance for a reeling team to salvage something from a deeply disappointing season. The Ravens are 4-8 and in the midst of a six-game losing streak, the longest in franchise history; they haven't won since Oct. 14. They nearly knocked off undefeated New England on Monday night before falling, 27-24. Tonight they host the 10-2 Colts.

"We knew the last part of our schedule was going to be challenging," Coach Brian Billick said. "That's exactly what we need right now, this is exactly what we need to deal with given the season we've had, and see what we can do."

Much has changed since the Ravens last faced the Colts in the AFC semifinals in January. Indianapolis used the 15-6 victory at M&T Bank Stadium -- a game in which neither team scored a touchdown -- as a springboard to its run to the Super Bowl. Now the Colts are on the verge of wrapping up the AFC South title, while Baltimore has been essentially eliminated from the playoffs. That's why there's been little talk of revenge this week from the Ravens.

"That revenge thing is out of it; it's blown out of proportion," wide receiver Derrick Mason said. "Our thing is to come in and try to get a victory. We're on a losing streak right now, so we're just trying to get a win any way possible."

In some regards, it's better to get New England and Indianapolis -- along with quarterbacks Tom Brady and Peyton Manning -- in consecutive games, because "there's no drop-off in play, not to take anything away from anybody else," cornerback Chris McAlister said. "When you go against the best week in and week out, back-to-back weeks, rather, it's got to be an easier week of getting prepared mentally."

The Ravens will try to rattle Manning like they did Brady. When they face one of the elite quarterbacks in the league, the Ravens try to mix up what they do defensively and give "that kind of omnipresent feeling that pressure is coming," according to defensive coordinator Rex Ryan.

Brady was knocked down six times by Baltimore (including three sacks), and he had his worst statistical game of the season: 47.4 completion percentage, 257 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception and a passer rating of 76.3. The Ravens want to do the same to Manning, who was held to 170 passing yards in last season's playoff game.

"Quite honestly, I wish we'd have to wait for Peyton next year," Ryan said. "Both of them are unbelievable quarterbacks -- the best two quarterbacks in the league. They're smart, they study, they've got great ability, they've got excellent receivers, they've got a great knowledge of their system and a great knowledge of what they see from defenses. . . . You have to keep them guessing a little bit, play the game with them, to have any chance of success."

Indianapolis Coach Tony Dungy said the Ravens are a difficult team to prepare for, because they are so physical and they create so many problems with their defense. The biggest difference from last year is Baltimore's propensity for turnovers. The Ravens were plus-17 in turnovers last season; this year they are minus-12. In their four wins, they've committed three turnovers; in their eight losses, they've had 27.

"The difference is so slight," Dungy said. "A lot of it is chemistry; it's energy. . . . It's the very, very little things, and it's just making one critical play at the right time. I guess, in looking at it from the outside, you just see turnovers more than anything else. The games that they haven't turned the ball over, they've been just like the 13-3 team."

Ravens Note: Tight end Todd Heap is listed as questionable for tonight's game, but Billick said Friday it was doubtful Heap would play. Heap, who has missed six of the past eight games with a hamstring injury, did not practice Friday. McAlister, who did not practice all week with a knee injury, also is questionable and will be a game-time decision. Defensive tackle Justin Bannan (knee) and wide receiver Demetrius Williams (ankle) are out.