AFC Notes & Capsules: Ravens

RUNNING BACKS AS RELIABLE OPTION IN PASSING GAME

An "every-down back" in the NFL combines the ability to elude defenders in the running game and attack opponents out of the backfield in the passing game. Pro Football Hall of Fame running back and NFL Network analyst MARSHALL FAULK was a prototype every-down running back during his 12-year career. Faulk totaled 19,154 scrimmage yards, the fourth-most all-time, including 6,875 career receiving yards, the most ever among running backs.

"I was a guy that tried to play every down in the NFL," says Faulk. "I never wanted out of the game."

Baltimore running back RAY RICE, who is the focal point of the Ravens’ offense, can beat you as a rusher and as a receiver. Rice leads NFL running backs with 513 receiving yards this season and ranks second in the NFL (DARREN SPROLES, 60) and first in the AFC among RBs with 51 receptions. Rice knows the importance of being a reliable target in the passing game.

"The league has really evolved where more teams are using a two-back system, because one back runs better and the other is a better receiver," says Rice, who has accounted for 19.9 percent of the Ravens’ receiving yards this season, second most of any NFL running back through Week 11. "But, if you can do both, there is less need for two backs. My goal has always been to be an every down back.  Also, with the NFL shifting more towards a passing league, a back that can catch it out of the backfield and make plays is paramount."

(Click on the 'Jump' for the 'Game Capsule' on the Ravens-49ers)

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (9-1) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (7-3)

SERIES

STATS

NOTES

HEAD COACHES JIM (SF) & JOHN (Bal.) HARBAUGH are brothers…49ERS: Have won 8 in row…QB ALEX SMITH has won 10 of past 11 starts & has 95.2 rating in those 11. 49ers are 9-0 when Smith starts & has 100+ rating. Off. has 4 INTs, fewest in NFL…RB FRANK GORE has 7,284 career rush yards & needs 61 to pass HOFer JOE PERRY (7,344) for most in franchise history. Since start of 2006, ranks 2nd in NFL with 8,920 scrimmage yards (6,676 rush, 2,244 rec.)…Since start of 2009, TE VERNON DAVIS has 25 TDs, most among NFL TEs. In that time, has 2nd most rec. yards (2,325) by NFC TE. WR MICHAEL CRABTREE had 7 catches for 120 yards last week…Defense has not allowed 100-yard rusher in 32 consecutive games, longest active streak. Have not allowed rush TD. Last team to not allow rush TD in 1st 10 games was 1997 49ers. DE JUSTIN SMITH has started 165 games in row. LB ALDON SMITH leads NFC rookies with 7.5 sacks. LB PATRICK WILLIShad INT & FF last week…RAVENS:  Since ’10, club is 12-1 (.923) at home. Ravens are 7-0 at home vs. NFC under Harbaugh…QB JOE FLACCO has 24-5 record (.828) at home & has 34 TDs vs. 17 INTs & 89.8 rating. RB RAY RICE posted 3rd 100-yard rush game of season last week. For career, Ravens are 8-2 when Rice has 100+ rush yards. Leads AFC RBs with 51 rec. in ’11…WR ANQUAN BOLDIN is averaging 80.3 rush yards per game in 3 games vs. NFC in ’11 (241 total). Boldin (694) needs 6 rec. to reach 700 career. Rookie WR TORREY SMITH (2nd round, No. 58) had career-high in catches (6) & rec. yards (165) last week & joined KEN BURROW (2 in ’71) & RANDY MOSS (3 in ’98) as only rookies since ’70 to have multiple games with 150+ rec. yards & TD catch…Defense has NFL-best 11 FRs. Leads AFC with 29 sacks…RookieCB JIMMY SMITH (No. 27 overall) posted 1st career INT last week.