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Dilfer to start for 49ers against Ravens

Oct 7, 2007 - 10:31 AM Baltimore (2-2) at San Francisco (2-2) Sunday 4:15 pm EDT

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- Trent Dilfer makes his first start in nearly two years Sunday, when the offensively-challenged San Francisco 49ers host the Baltimore Ravens.

Dilfer starts in place of Alex Smith, who is expected to miss two weeks after suffering a right shoulder separation on the third play of last week's 23-3 loss to Seattle Seahawks.

Dilfer took over, but completed only 13-of-33 passes for 128 yards with two interceptions. He could only lead the 49ers to one field goal.

It was Dilfer's first action since Week 12 of the 2005 season, when he was with the Cleveland Browns.

Dilfer is with his fifth team, having also played with Tampa Bay, Baltimore and Seattle. He led the Ravens to a Super Bowl title following the 2001 season.

Dilfer hopes for better protection as he was sacked five times by the Seahawks last week.

The 49ers are badly in need of a spark as they rank last in the NFL in offense, averaging only 213.2 yards per game. They won their first two games despite gaining less than 200 yards in each one.

San Francisco could be the perfect remedy for the Ravens, whose usually stout defense has been inconsistent in the first quarter of the season.

The Ravens rank a mediocre 18th in scoring defense, yielding 22.5 points per game. They surrendered 27 points for the second time this season in last week's 27-13 loss at Cleveland.

49ers coach Mike Nolan is familiar with the Ravens' defense, having served as Baltimore's defensive coordinator from 2002-2004. Nolan's defense ranked third in the NFL in 2003.

The teams have split two meetings, with the Ravens drubbing the 49ers, 44-6, in the last contest in 2003.