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Ravens can clinch first-round playoff bye

Dec 31, 2006 - 2:24 PM Buffalo (7-8) at Baltimore (12-3) Sunday 4:15 pm EST

BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- Quarterback Steve McNair and the Baltimore Ravens can set a franchise record for wins and secure a first-round playoff bye with a victory on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.

Baltimore also gets a bye if Indianapolis loses to Miami.

The Ravens can even get homefield advantage throughout the playoffs with a win and a loss by the San Diego Chargers, who host the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

It is quite a turnaround for the Ravens, who finished 6-10 last season under coach Brian Billick. Owner Steve Bisciotti warned Billick that improvement was needed if he wanted to keep his job. Billick made a bold move when he fired offensive coordinator Jim Fassel and took over the play-calling duties in October. Since that move, the Ravens won eight of nine games to run away with the AFC North title.

McNair, who was acquired last June from Tennessee, has provided steady leadership, and Jamal Lewis eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing after failing to do so last season.

But as was the case in 2000 when the Ravens won the Super Bowl under Billick, the Ravens' fortunes rest on a defense that has yielded a league-low 12.9 points per game.

Linebacker Adalius Thomas, end Terrell Suggs, safety Ed Reed and cornerback Chris McAlister were named to the Pro Bowl from the defense. Thomas has a career-high 11 sacks and 66 tackles.

The Ravens recorded five sacks and Reed and rookie Dawan Landry each had interceptions in a 31-7 win at Pittsburgh last week. McNair threw for 256 yards and three touchdowns and Mark Clayton caught seven passes for 108 yards, including a 35-yard score.

The Bills have a chance to finish with a .500 record in Dick Jauron's first season as coach. Last year, they were 5-11 under Mike Mularkey.

Improved play by quarterback J.P. Losman, the emergence of wide receiver Lee Evans and consistent running by Willis McGahee is most responsible for Buffalo's win total.

Bills defensive end Aaron Schobel, who was named to the Pro Bowl last week, is second in the AFC with 14 sacks.

Last week, the Bills were eliminated from playoff contention with a 30-29 loss to Tennessee. Losman passed for 266 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions and McGahee rushed for 95 yards and a score.